Nohoch

Nohoch Oil Field Profile

Location and Ownership

The Nohoch oil field is located in the Bay of Campeche, Mexico, in shallow water with a depth of approximately 116 feet. It is part of the Cantarell complex and is operated by Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico's state-owned integrated oil and gas company.

Geology and Reservoir Characteristics

The Nohoch field is characterized by heavy oil reserves, with the oil having an API gravity ranging from 12° to 24° and a high content of sulfur and metals. The reservoir rock is primarily composed of clastic limestone and dolomitized carbonates, which are naturally fractured with high permeability and porosity.

Production History

The Nohoch field began production and reached its peak in 1992. As of the latest data, the field has recovered approximately 97.06% of its total recoverable reserves. Production is expected to continue until the field reaches its economic limit, projected to be around 2038.

Infrastructure and Facilities

The Nohoch field is part of the extensive infrastructure development within the Cantarell complex. Key infrastructure includes:

• Platforms and Pipelines: The field is connected to several platforms and pipelines as part of the broader Cantarell field modernization. This includes new pipelines built to transport a two-phase mixture of oil and gas from the production wells to central processing complexes such as Akal C, Akal J, and Nohoch A.
• Nitrogen Injection: A significant component of the project involves nitrogen injection to maintain reservoir pressure. A new 85 km, 36-in. diameter pipeline transports nitrogen from an onshore generation plant to the Nohoch A complex, where it is injected through nine nitrogen injection wells.
• Gas Handling: The field benefits from the construction of offshore gas-treating platforms and the modernization of existing facilities to increase gas handling capacity and reduce gas flaring.

Production Capacity and Impact

• Current Production: While specific current production figures for the Nohoch field alone are not provided, the overall Cantarell complex has seen significant production increases. By 2002, the Cantarell field was expected to produce approximately 2.2 million barrels per day (b/d), with the Nohoch field contributing to this total.
• Historical Contribution: The Nohoch field, along with other fields in the Cantarell complex, has been crucial for Mexico's oil production. However, the contribution of the Akal field, the largest in the complex, has declined more rapidly than expected, and other fields like Nohoch, Sihil, Ek, and Ixtoc have compensated for this decline to some extent.

Modernization and Expansion

The Nohoch field is part of a large-scale modernization and expansion project within the Cantarell complex. Key aspects include:

• New Platforms and Pipelines: The construction of new platforms, including two multi-platform production complexes, and the installation of over 400 km of new pipelines to augment the existing network.
• Lift Gas and Nitrogen Programs: The project includes the development of lift gas generation facilities and a major nitrogen injection program to enhance oil recovery and maintain reservoir pressure.

Economic and Strategic Importance

The Nohoch field, as part of the Cantarell complex, has been a significant contributor to Mexico's oil production and economy. The investments in this field and the broader complex have been substantial, with annual averages of around $2 billion to $3.8 billion between 2002 and 2013, reflecting the importance of these fields to Mexico's energy sector.