Jump to content

South Pars/North Dome Gas-Condensate field

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ahmadkhani (talk | contribs) at 19:59, 12 May 2008 (→South Pars). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

South Pars / North Dome Gas-Condensate
This file may be deleted after Thursday, 24 April 2008.
CountryQatar Qatar, Iran Iran
Offshore/onshoreOffshore
OperatorsQatar Qatar Petroleum, NIOC
Field history
Discovery1971
Start of production1989
Peak of production60bcf per day
AbandonmentNA
Production
Producing formationsSilurian

The South Pars / North Dome field is a gas condensate field located in the Persian Gulf. It is the largest gas field in the world, shared between Iran and Qatar.

This gas field covers an area of 9700 square kilometers, of which 3700 square kilometers is in Iranian territorial waters and 6000 square kilometers is in Qatari territorial waters.[1]

South Pars is the name of northern part, which is located in Iranian waters and North Dome is the name of southern part, which is located in Qatari waters.

Field Geology

The field consists of two independent gas-bearing formations, Kangan (Triassic) and Upper Dalan (Permian). Each formation is divided into two different reservoir layers, separated by impermeable barriers. The field consists of four independent reservoir layers K1, K2, K3, and K4.[2]

The field is a part of the N-trending Qatar Arch structural feature that is bounded by Zagros fold belt to the north and northeast.[3]

In the field, gas accumulation is mostly limited to the Permian–Triassic stratigraphic units. These units known as the “Kangan–Dalan Formations” constitute very extensive natural gas reservoirs in the field and Persian Gulf area, which composed of carbonate–evaporite series also known as the Khuff Formation.[4]

Generalized Permian–Triassic stratigraphy of the field is shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly, Permian–Early Triassic has been divided into Faraghan (Early Permian), Dalan (Late Permian) and Kangan (Early Triassic) Formations.[5]

Fig.2: Generalized stratigraphy of the field File:Stratigraphic chart for the South Pars field..gif[6]

Field Reserves

Field total reserves are estimated to be around 1900 tcf (53.8 tcm) gas in place and 56 billion barrels of condensate in place.[7]

With in place reserves equivalent to 400 billion barrels of oil[8], the field is the world’s biggest conventional hydrocarbon accumulation even bigger than Ghawar oil field with 170 billion barrels of original oil in place.

The field recoverable gas reserve is equivalent to some 215 billion barrel of oil and it also holds about 16 billion barrels of recoverable condensate corresponding of about 230 billion barrel of oil equivalent recoverable hydrocarbons.


The gas recovery factor of the field is about 65%, corresponding of about 1,225×10^12 cu ft (34,700 km3) of total recoverable gas reserves which stands for about 19% of world recoverable gas reserves.[9]


The estimates for the Iranian section are 500 tcf (14 tcm) of gas in place and around 325 tcf (9.2 tcm) of recoverable gas which stands for 32% of whole Iran's proven gas reserves and 5% of the worlds proven gas reserves..[10]

The estimates for the Qatari section are 900 tcf (25.48 tcm) of proven natural gas reserves which stands for almost 99% of whole Qatar's proven gas reserves and 14% of the worlds proven gas reserves.[11]


Some petroleum industry experts believe that 900 Tcf of gas reserves reported by Qatar stands for gas in place volume and consequently Qatar's recoverable gas reserves should be about 550 to 600 Tcf. [12] The moratorium applied by Qatar Petroleum for future development of the field is a supporting evidence of this belief. They believe, if as Qatar claims the North Dome holds 900 Tcf recoverable gas, the reservoir should be capable of producing much more than current planned capacity (see Table 2). [13] The results of current ongoing study undertaken by Qatar on the field will determine the actual reserves of the Qatari section.


Iranian section also holds 18 billion barrel of condensate in place[14] while Qatari section is reported to be contain of some 38 billion barrel of condensate in place.

Development History

South Pars

The South Pars Field was discovered in 1990 by NIOC.[15] The Pars Oil and Gas Company.[16], a subsidiary of NIOC, has jurisdiction over all South Pars-related projects. Field development has been delayed by various problems - technical (i.e., high levels of mercaptans and foul-smelling sulfur compounds), contractual issues and politics. Gas production started from the field by commissioning phase 2 in December 2002 to produce 1bscf/d of wet gas. Gas is sent to shore via pipeline, and processed at Assaluyeh.

Condensate production from South Pars is currently 200,000 bbl/d (32,000 m3/d), and by 2010, could increase to over 500,000 bbl/d (79,000 m3/d).

NIOC has planed to develop the field in 24 phases which together at its peak will produce some 30×10^9 cu ft (850,000,000 m3) per day of gas and more than 1-million-barrels (160,000 m3) of condensate.

By the beginning of 2008 phases 1,2,3,4 and 5 has been brought to production and by the end of 2008 phases 6,7,8,9 and 10 will be on stream. Phases 12,15,16,17 and 18 are under development. Phases 11,13 and 14 are dedicated to Pars LNG.[17] and Persian LNG projects. Development of phases 19 to 24 are under negotiation.[18]

Phase 11 is dedicated to the Pars LNG project which is a partnership between NIOC (50%), Total (30%) and Petronas (20%). The project is designed for an initial capacity of two trains of 5 million tons of LNG per year each.[19]

Phase 12 is dedicated to the Iran LNG project which is wholly owned by NIOC. The project is designed for an initial capacity of two trains of 5 million tons of LNG per year each.[20]

Phase 13 and 14 are dedicated to the Persian LNG project which is a partnership between NIOC (50%), Royal Dutch Shell (25%) and Repsol YPF (25%). The project is designed for an initial capacity of two trains of 8 million tons of LNG per year each.[21] In May 2008, parties agreed to exchange block 13 with block 20 or 21 [22] due to NIOC interests in acceleration of the development phase 13.




Table 1-South Pars Gas and Condensate Production Plan[23]

Phase General Contractor 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
1 Petropars 500 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750 750
2&3 Total 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
4&5 Eni 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
6,7&8 Petropars/Statoil 2500 3700 3700 3700 3700 3700 3700 3700 3700
9&10 ‎Consortium of LG Korea,OIEC and IOEC 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
11 Total 1000 2000 2000
12 Petropars 1000 2000 3000 3000 3000 3000
13 Shell/Repsol 1000 2000 2000
14 Shell/Repsol 500 1000 1000
15&16 "Gharargah Khatam-ol Anbia" 1000 2000 2000
17&18 Consortium of IDRO,IOEC and OIEC 1000 2000 2000
19&20&21 TBD 1000 3000
22,23&24 TBD 1000 3000
Total Gas Production MMcf/d 2,000 2,500 4,750 4,750 4,750 9,250 10,450 10,450 11,450 12,450 13,450 17,950 24,450 28,450
Total Condensate Production bbl/d 80,000 100,000 190,000 190,000 190,000 370,000 420,000 420,000 460,000 500,000 540,000 720,000 1,000,000 1,150,000

Table Sources: NIOC, Pars Oil & Gas Company, Shana and Media

North Dome

The North Dome was discovered in 1971.[24] Production started from the southern extension of the field in 1989 at 800mmscf/d.

In 2005,Qatar Petroleum became worried the North Dome’s reserves were being developed too quickly, which could reduce reservoir pressure and possibly damage its long-term production potential.

In early 2005, the government placed a moratorium on additional development projects at the North Dome pending a study of the field’s reservoirs..[25] This assessment is not expected to end until after 2009, meaning new projects are unlikely to be signed before 2010. However, this did not affect projects approved or underway before the moratorium.[26]

On 29 October 2007, Qatargas CEO Faisal Al Suwaidi stated that the 5 year moratorium on new North Field gas development projects, imposed in 2005, could be extended to 2011 or 2012.[27]

Moratorium by Qatar raised some questions about the actual proven reserves in Qatari side of the field. There are some news that ConocoPhillips drilled an unexpected dry hole in the North Field and this event was at least a partial catalyst for a revamped perspective on the North field structure and potential.[28]

Since 1997, Qatar has been exporting LNG from the North Field. In 2006, Qatar surpassed Indonesia as the world’s largest LNG exporter. Based on the massive gas resources of the field, Qatar is developing the world beigest LNG export facilities in order to reach the capacity of 77 MMt/y (3.8 Tcf/y) by 2012 (see table below).[29]



File:Qatar-lng infrastructure.gif [30]


Qatargas and RasGas are two different companies responsible for the Qataries LNG projects.

Based on the current Qatar planed projects, production from North Dome Field may reach to 23 to 27×10^9 cu ft (760,000,000 m3) per day by 2012, any further increase in the production level of the Qatari side of the field is subject to the result of the ongoing study by Qatar Petroleum which is supposed to be released in 2008.



Table 2-North Field Production Plan ( Million Cubic Feet per Day).[31]

Project Start Up 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
QatarGas 1997 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860 860
QatarGas 1998 430 430 430 430 430 430 430 430 430 430 430 430 430 430
QatarGas 2003 700 700 700 700 700 700 700 700 700
QatarGasII 2008 1700 1700 1700 1700
QatarGasII 2009 1700 1700 1700
QatarGasIII 2009 1700 1700
QatarGasIV 2009 1700
RasGas 1999 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400
RasGas 2004 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
RasGas 2005 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
RasGas 2007 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
RasGas 2008 1700 1700 1700 1700
RasGas 2010 1700 1700 1700
Al Khalij 2005 650 650 650 650 650 650 650
Dolphin 2007 2800 2800 2800 2800 4000
Pearl GTL 2009 1700 1700 1700
Total MMcf/d 860 1300 2700 2700 2700 2700 3400 4400 6000 6000 9840 13240 18340 20000 23000

Table Sources: QatarGas, RasGas, Qatar Petroleum and internet

See also

References

  1. ^ CEDIGAZ "Current status of the World's as giants" [1]
  2. ^ Gas Prospective Areas in the Zagros Domain of Iran and in Persian Gulf Iranian Waters [2]
  3. ^ Geochemistry and origin of the world's largest gas field from Persian Gulf, Iran [3]
  4. ^ Geochemistry and origin of the world's largest gas field from Persian Gulf, Iran [4]
  5. ^ Geochemistry and origin of the world's largest gas field from Persian Gulf, Iran [5]
  6. ^ Geochemistry and origin of the world's largest gas field from Persian Gulf, Iran [6]
  7. ^ IRAN - The Geology. APS Review Gas Market Trends • April 2, 2007 • [7]
  8. ^ 1 Barrel of Crude Oil = 5.85 MMbtu
  9. ^ Eni World Oil and Gas Review 2006 [8]
  10. ^ IRAN - The Geology. APS Review Gas Market Trends • April 2, 2007 • [9]
  11. ^ IRAN - The Geology. APS Review Gas Market Trends • April 2, 2007 • [10]
  12. ^ Questions About the World's Biggest Natural Gas Field [11]
  13. ^ Questions About the World's Biggest Natural Gas Field [12]
  14. ^ Pars Oil& Gas Company [www.pogc.ir]
  15. ^ Geochemistry and origin of the world's largest gas field from Persian Gulf, Iran [13]
  16. ^ http://www.pogc.ir
  17. ^ http://www.parslng.com
  18. ^ Pars Oil and Gas Company [14]
  19. ^ Total Website [15]
  20. ^ NIGEC Website [16]
  21. ^ NIGEC Website[17]
  22. ^ AFP [18]
  23. ^ Pars Oil & Gas Company [19]
  24. ^ Geochemistry and origin of the world's largest gas field from Persian Gulf, Iran [20]
  25. ^ IHS Energy [21]
  26. ^ thePeninsulaQatar.com [22]
  27. ^ IHS Energy [23]
  28. ^ theoildrum.com June 9, 2006[24]
  29. ^ EIA [25]
  30. ^ EIA [26]
  31. ^ QatarGas, RasGas, Qatar Petroleum and internet

Other Sources

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_Pars/North_Dome_Gas-Condensate_field&oldid=211942144"