The Sultanate of Oman has found a way to extend the productive life of mature oil fields. A pilot project using hydraulic fracturing on an old well delivered an almost threefold increase in production. A pump that had previously operated for only one-third of the day is now running around the clock. The technology could potentially give hundreds of similar wells across the country a second life.
The concept is straightforward: instead of investing heavily in new fields, operators can make better use of existing infrastructure. Hydraulic fracturing—a technique used for decades to stimulate tight formations—was tested in Oman on heavy oil trapped in mature wells.
The trial was conducted in southern Oman, where one well had deteriorated to the point that its pump was shut down for 16 hours a day. After fractures were created in the reservoir, the well returned to continuous operation and production increased nearly threefold. Output remained stable for several months, allowing a well that had been approaching abandonment to return to service.
Researchers estimate that hundreds of mature wells across Oman could follow a similar path. Their reservoirs still contain millions of barrels of heavy oil that cannot be recovered efficiently using conventional methods. The technology can both bring these remaining resources to the surface and extend the operating life of existing fields.
Another advantage is that hydraulic fracturing can be combined with other field-development strategies. The approach does not require new drilling rigs, major logistics infrastructure, or lengthy approval processes. Operations are carried out at existing producing assets, significantly reducing costs and potentially shortening the payback period.
Oman’s experience demonstrates that mature oil wells should not necessarily be viewed as exhausted assets. Hydraulic fracturing can provide access to millions of barrels previously considered difficult to recover, giving the country another tool to sustain oil production without requiring massive new capital investments.
Source: Al Shabiba
Category: Masar Petroleum
