In a Kazakhstan oil field comparable in size to Houston, Texas, Tengizchevroil, a Chevron-owned affiliate, has achieved a significant milestone. TCO has initiated operations at its Wellhead Pressure Management Project.
The WPMP works by reducing the flowing pressure at the wellheads and then increasing pressure to the existing processing plants. This allows these facilities to operate at full capacity, meeting the increasing energy demands of a growing world.
As the Tengiz Field developed, each well operated under high pressure. However, as time passed, reservoir pressure decreased, resulting in a decrease in the intensity of oil and gas flow. To tackle this issue, the entire field is undergoing conversion to operate under low pressure.
Micah Coston, a project manager with Tengizchevroil, likened the project to uncorking a bottle of champagne, where the liquid initially overflows before losing momentum.
Steve Kovacevich, a TCO production operations manager, emphasised the importance of the WPMP in maintaining the full operation of existing plants and ensuring reliable performance. He credited the achievement to the talent, skill, and capability of the ‘One TCO’ Team in Tengiz.
Looking ahead, the WPMP is part of TCO’s Future Growth Project (FGP), scheduled to commence operations in 2025. The FGP aims to expand crude oil production by an additional 12 million tons per annum.
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