Workflow to Assess Renewable Energy Potentials for an Oil Field and Achieve the Most Energy-Efficient and Sustainable System
Authors: Quintero Evelyn , Hussien Mohanad , Huerta Victor , Morales Raifel , Zambrano Adriana , Jimenez Jean 
Published: November 2024

This paper develops a comprehensive workflow to assess the available renewable energy resources (geothermal, solar, wind, tidal, hydrogen) at a generic oil field location and optimize the integration of these renewables with conventional operations to maximize energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. The scope includes renewable resource assessment, energy modelling, optimization techniques to design an optimal hybrid renewable-fossil fuel energy system for the oil field, quantifying emissions reductions and efficiency improvements achieved.

Methods, Procedures, Process: The proposed workflow was developed and validated through case studies on two groups of wells (offshore and onshore oil field). Firstly, renewable resource data were collected and analyzed for each site. Energy demand profiles of the field facilities were modelled based on operational data. An optimization model integrating renewable generation forecasts with wells and field energy requirements was then formulated to size the renewable systems and determine the optimal hybrid renewable-conventional generation mix. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for variability in resources and loads. Finally, a generalized workflow applicable to any oil field was proposed, incorporating resource assessment, modelling, optimization, and technical-economic analyses for system design.

The results from the offshore and onshore oil field case studies were promising for integrating multiple available renewable energy sources. As the field locations were in Venezuela, a region with high solar irradiation levels, solar photovoltaic systems showed favorable potential at both sites. For the offshore field, the results highlighted significant opportunities for wind energy utilization due to the high wind speeds observed over the marine environment. The onshore field, being near geothermal wells, revealed an additional potential for harnessing geothermal steam to support enhanced oil recovery operations for the heavy crude oils present.

The optimized hybrid renewable-conventional systems designed through the workflow demonstrated substantial reductions in carbon emissions and improved overall energy efficiency compared to conventional with gas and diesel-based operations. For the cases studied, the economic analyses indicated attractive payback periods, these sustainable energy systems financially viability workflow was included as well.

In conclusion, the proposed workflow provides a comprehensive methodology for oil fields to evaluate their renewable energy resources, model energy requirements, optimize system design through hybrid generation mixes, and quantify the environmental and economic benefits achievable through such energy transitions. The flexibility of the workflow allows its application across diverse oil field settings to unlock their energy potentials maximally.

This paper presents a novel integrated workflow that combines renewable energy resource assessment, energy modelling, optimization techniques, and economic/environmental impact analyses specifically tailored for oil field operations. The holistic approach enables maximizing the utilization of available renewable sources through optimally designed hybrid systems. This workflow provides a structured methodology for oil fields transitioning to renewable energy, quantifying achievable emissions reductions and efficiency gains.