article thumbnail

Chevron leveraging information technology to optimize thermal production of heavy oil with increased recovery and reduced costs

Green Car Congress

Chevron’s focus on optimizing the thermal management of the Kern River field has resulted in a steady drop in the steam:oil ratio (barrels steam water per barrel oil), resulting in improved economics of the field even with slowly declining production. Source: Chevron. Here, Chevron has reduced its steam:oil ratio (i.e.,

Chevron 244
article thumbnail

BP approves revamped $9B Mad Dog Phase 2 project in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico; down from original $20B cost

Green Car Congress

BP has sanctioned the $9-billion Mad Dog Phase 2 project in the United States, despite the current low oil price environment. Oil production is expected to begin in late 2021. Today, the leaner $9-billion project, which also includes capacity for water injection, is projected to be profitable at or below current oil prices.

Mexico 150
article thumbnail

Opinion: Why oil prices must go up

Green Car Congress

It may be difficult to look beyond the current pricing environment for oil, but the depletion of low-cost reserves and the increasing inability to find major new discoveries ensures a future of expensive oil. Despite record levels of spending, the largest oil companies are struggling to replace their depleted reserves.