elk hills technology

Since Occidental's 1998 acquisition of Elk Hills, combined oil and gas production has increased significantly due to an aggressive reservoir exploitation program and the use of other advanced technical methods.

Because of the field's complex geology, shallow, air-filled subsurface sands, and more than 1,000 active producing wells, seismic interpretation requires technical sophistication and skillful analysis. In developing 3-D models, our geoscientists applied pre-stack depth migration and refraction from floating datum, a costly and technologically complex process normally applied to desert environments such as Yemen and Oman. Using 3-D visualization techniques, we cut expensive wellsite geosteering costs by selecting optimal locations prior to exploration and development drilling.

Other drilling, completion and pumping innovations were employed to manage the changing reservoir conditions and maximize production throughout the field. Numerous new wells were completed to in-fill areas within the field boundary that were previously under developed.

Our horizontal drilling program utilized short and intermediate radius techniques for the first time in California to increase production at a lower cost. Our efficient drilling techniques resulted in drilling costs which average only 55 percent of the costs for similar well depths in other California fields.

We are also using innovative horizontal well stimulation techniques in tight shale formations that involve both hydraulic fracturing and acidizing. Hydraulic fracturing is a technique that pumps sand at high pressure to "crack" the formation, increasing the reservoir's permeability, thus improving flow rates. Acidizing involves acid solutions that are used to clean the wellbore by removing drilling debris thereby improving production efficiency and performance.

New systems were added to handle increased water production associated with overall improved production rates, and upgraded controls were installed to reduce compressor emissions.

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