Chapter 8 Summary and Analysis

After Ghawar, Saudi Arabia has three oilfields that produce significant levels of oil. There is Abqaiq, Sanfaniya and Berri. All three fields are experiencing technical challenges similar to those facing Ghawar. This is not surprising considering the problems are related to aging reservoirs and all of Saudi Arabia's huge oilfields are relatively close in age. Abqaiq oilfield is described by technical experts as extremely mature. Operating since 1946, Abqaiq has already produced most of its recoverable oil. Although Abqaiq is less than a quarter of the size of Ghawar, Abqaiq has historically produced extremely high quality oil. In 1956, Abqaiq becomes Saudi Arabia's first water injection site. The process begins as an experiment but becomes a permanent part of oil production at Abqaiq in 1963. A Society of Petroleum Engineers paper written in 2004 describes a multiphase pump project at Abqaiq that has been successful...