Qatar plans 10-year, 270-well drilling program

Jan. 17, 2000
Qatar General Petroleum Corp. has revealed plans to drill 270 wells in three of its producing oil fields over the next decade in a bid to increase Qatar's productive capacity.

Qatar General Petroleum Corp. has revealed plans to drill 270 wells in three of its producing oil fields over the next decade in a bid to increase Qatar's productive capacity.

The plan includes drilling 147 new wells and 70 sidetracks to existing wells at onshore Dukhan field in order to sustain production levels. Regarding offshore fields, 37 development wells will be drilled at Maydan Mahzam and 86 at Bul Hanine. These will be mostly horizontal wells, QGPC officials told Gulf News.

Meanwhile, QGPC will implement an enhanced oil recovery project at Dukhan field's Diyab station and is planning to develop some small reservoirs. An additional 21 gas production and injection wells will be drilled under the Arab-D gas recycling project (13 were drilled under the project in 1997).

Dukhan field is producing 170,000 b/d, although it has capacity to produce 235,000 b/d. QGPC wants to boost capacity to 380,000 b/d by the end of the decade.

Maydan Mahzam and Bul Hanine produce, respectively, 75,000 b/d and 45,000 b/d. Plans are to increase their respective capacities to 95,000 b/d and 65,000 b/d.

The three fields, all operated by QGPC, are the oldest in the emirate. Dukham has been producing since 1949.

Qatar's total oil output averaged 760,000 b/d last year; by the end of 2000, Qatari production is expected to reach 854,000 b/d.