Description

Presentation 'Renewed oil extraction in Schoonebeek' with tour of NAM locations

In 1996, NAM stopped oil extraction in Schoonebeek. However, since January 2011, NAM has resumed this production again. It now does so using a technique, which consists of a combination of horizontal wells and low-pressure steam injection.

NAM has drilled several horizontal wells in the oil field for the redevelopment of the Schoonebeek field. Previously, vertical wells, almost straight down, were drilled. With new techniques, it is possible to make a bend while drilling. With horizontal wells, there is much more contact with the oil-bearing rock layer. As a result, more oil can be pumped to the surface per well. A total of 73 wells have been drilled in the Schoonebeek field, spread over 18 new oil extraction locations.

Groups of three wells each lie underground in the oil reservoir, about 150 metres apart. Steam is injected into the rock through one of these wells at low pressure. The steam rises until it can go no further, due to an impermeable layer that seals the oil field. The steam has heated the petroleum in the rock, making it more liquid. Due to gravity, the liquefied oil sinks down through the rock to the two nearby production wells. Through these wells, the oil is sucked to the earth's surface with the help of high-efficiency pumps.

The oil is now no longer pumped out of the ground with the familiar jackhammers but with modern high-efficiency pumps (hr pumps). These work like an inverted bicycle pump. They suck the petroleum out of the ground, so to speak. In the Schoonebeek field, 40 hr pumps have been installed. The pumps have a height of 15 metres and they are grey.

13.30 hrs Reception at De Wolfshoeve Schoonebeek
Presentation on the project; Redevelopment Schoonebeek oil field

14.30 hrs Tour of NAM sites in Schoonebeek, the combined heat and power plant/oil treatment plant. Explanation of the activities

15.45 return at De Wolfshoeve, concluding drink

16.45 end

Location

Restaurant De Wolfshoeve

Europaweg 132, 7761 AL Schoonebeek

Organiser

Region North

Name and contact details for information

Anne-Marie Oudejans, tel. 0599-236489

amoudejans@planet.nl

NAM