P18-2

Location

The P18-2 oil and gas field is located offshore in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, approximately 20 kilometers off the coast of the “2e Maasvlakte,” which is the latest extension to the port of Rotterdam. The exact coordinates are 52.127, 3.956 (WGS 84).

Discovery and Production

• The P18-2 field was discovered in 1989 with the exploration well P18-02.
• Production began in 1993, starting with compartment 2-I. Compartment 2-III came on stream in 1997, and compartment 2-II in 2003.

Field Details

• The P18-2 field is part of the P18 cluster, which also includes the P18-4 and P18-6 fields. The P18-2 field itself consists of three main compartments: 2-I, 2-II, and 2-III, with the latter now considered to be split into 2-III and 2-IV.
• Each compartment has its own production wells. For example, compartment 2-I contains three production wells: P18-02-A1, P18-02-A3ST2, and P18-02-A5ST1, along with the exploration well P18-02. Compartment 2-III has one production well, P18-02-A6, and compartment 2-II also has one production well, P18-02-A6ST1.

Geology

• The reservoir rocks of the P18-2 field are sandstones belonging to the Triassic Main Buntsandstein Subgroup. These sandstones are of mixed fluvial/aeolian origin.
• The primary seal for the gas fields consists of unconformably overlying siltstones, claystones, evaporites, and dolostones. The field is located in a heavily faulted area, with fault-bounded compartments that are hydraulically isolated from their surroundings due to the juxtaposition of reservoir rock against impermeable rock.

Production and Reserves

• The field has been producing high-calorific gas since 1993. The gas is produced through the P18-A satellite platform and the P15-ACD processing and accommodations facilities in the adjacent P15 block, and then transported to the coast by a 40-km-long gas pipeline.
• As of 2010, the proven extractable gas reserves for the P18-2 field were estimated at 841.89 million cubic meters. The annual gas production was 43.39 million cubic meters in 2019 and 40.5 million cubic meters in 2022. There has been no condensate production reported.
• By the end of June 2018, the total cumulative production of all P18 fields was 13.5 billion cubic meters. The recovery factors by the expected abandonment time in 2024 are estimated to be 98% for P18-2 and P18-4, and 90% for P18-6.

CO2 Storage Feasibility

• The P18-2 field is being considered for CO2 storage as part of the Porthos project. Studies have shown that the field is suitable for CO2 storage due to its geological characteristics and the extensive data collected during gas production. The primary and secondary seals, along with additional seals in the overburden, ensure the sealing capacity of the reservoir.
• TNO-AGE has advised that the reservoir is adequate for CO2 storage, based on a comprehensive dataset and the long-term experience gained during gas production. However, further detailed studies and monitoring plans are necessary to address all potential risks and ensure effective risk management.

Operator and Ownership

• The P18-2 field is operated by TAQA Energy B.V..

Infrastructure

• The gas produced from the P18-2 field is processed and transported through existing infrastructure, including the P18-A satellite platform and the P15-ACD facilities. For CO2 storage, additional infrastructure will be integrated as part of the Porthos project.

Risks and Monitoring

• The project involves risks such as geomechanical effects like fault activation and subsurface fracturing due to pressure and temperature changes. TNO-AGE has evaluated these risks and emphasized the need for a robust monitoring system to detect and manage any unforeseen events.
• Despite the potential for induced seismicity, which has been observed in other Dutch gas storage projects, the current seismic monitoring network is considered adequate for the P18 field, given its history of no measurable seismic activity during gas production.