Safaniya

Location and Overview

The Safaniya oil field is located approximately 200 kilometers north of Dhahran in the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest offshore oil fields in the world and extends into the neutral zone shared between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where it is known as the Khafji field.

Ownership and Operation

The Safaniya oil field is owned and operated by the state-owned oil company, Saudi Aramco.

Discovery and Production History

The Safaniya oil field was discovered in 1951 and began production in April 1957, initially producing 50,000 barrels of oil per day from 18 wells. By 1962, the daily output had increased to around 350,000 barrels per day from 25 producing wells. Over the years, the field's production capacity has been significantly expanded and now stands between 1 and 1.5 million barrels of heavy crude oil per day.

Geology and Reserves

The Safaniya oil field is characterized by an anticline structure and is composed of sandstones and shales of the Wasia formation. The field is estimated to contain 37 billion barrels of oil and 5,360 billion cubic feet of natural gas. The reservoirs are located at vertical depths ranging between 4,000 and 7,000 feet.

Infrastructure and Facilities

The field operates with a series of platforms, ranging from single-well tripods to large six-well units. As of 1993, there were 624 total wells, with additional wells drilled subsequently. The field includes four offshore gas-oil separation plants (GOSPs) and several onshore facilities. Recent upgrades include the installation of a new tie-in platform (TP-20), which is Saudi Aramco’s largest ever, and the construction of a 42-inch, 53-kilometer-long trunk line to transport crude oil to the onshore GOSP. The TP-20 platform is powered by a 46-kilometer-long 230kV submarine composite cable, one of the longest of its type in the world.

Safaniya Master Development Plan

The Safaniya Master Development Plan, initiated by Saudi Aramco, aims to maintain the field’s production capacity through two main phases. The first phase involves upgrading crude-gathering facilities, improving crude oil transport capacity, and providing adequate power supply. The second phase includes upgrading existing wellheads and installing artificial lift infrastructure such as electric submersible pumps (ESPs).

Phase 8 Development

The Phase 8 development of the Safaniya oil field, part of the ongoing expansion and upgrade, includes an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract. This phase involves the installation of at least six slip-over platforms, several kilometers of subsea pipelines and cables, and other associated offshore infrastructure. Additionally, the project includes two observation decks. This phase was expected to be completed by Q1 of 2021.

Current Status and Future Plans

As of recent updates, Saudi Aramco has been adjusting its expansion plans, with some projects being deferred. The Safaniya Expansion, which was part of the broader development plan, is likely to be deferred according to reports in early 2024. However, projects that had already reached the Final Investment Decision (FID) stage, such as other expansions in the region, are set to continue as planned.

Production Capacity and Upgrades

The field's production capacity has been elevated through various upgrades, including the addition of new multi-well platforms, remote tie-in platforms, and the enhancement of gas-oil separation plants. The field now operates with five GOSPs and has seen improvements in associated onshore gas compression and wet-crude handling facilities. The production capacity has been boosted to near 2 million barrels per day from over 160 unmanned multi-well platforms.

In summary, the Safaniya oil field is a critical component of Saudi Arabia's oil production, with significant reserves, extensive infrastructure, and ongoing development to maintain and enhance its production capacity.