BP has flagged up the formation of an initial US $4 million strategic research partnership with the University of Texas in Austin that will see the pair aim to develop and enhance systems and tools to tap frontier deepwater oil and gas resources, as well as enhancing shale production.
The new partners will initially focus on BP’s Project 20K, the company’s ongoing initiative to develop ‘next-generation systems and tools’ to unlock deepwater oil and gas currently beyond the reach of existing technology, with reservoir pressures of up to 20,000 psi.
The university’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering will work with the Project 20K team to study the impact of ‘human factors’ on the drilling process and the potential for new systems that can enhance safety and efficiency. Research will also focus on developing a reliability assessment process for BP’s project team to use in quantifying the system-level reliability of Project 20K concepts.
BP added that, as part of their research efforts, the pair will seek to improve recovery from shale gas and oil formations through a deep investigation of fracturing fluids’ impact on well productivity. They also will seek to enhance early detection of kicks by using real-time well data and predictive models to better inform operational decisions.
While the partnership will initially focus on these projects, BP and UT ultimately aim to take research and technologies developed through the program from the lab into the field.
“This is not just theoretical research,” according to James Dupree, BP’s chief operating officer, reservoir development & technology. “Under this partnership, we are tackling real-world challenges that, if better understood, could have far-reaching impacts not only on BP but on the future of global energy development.”
BP says that it could potentially commit more funds in addition to the initial $4 million as new studies are identified.