Formation Damage Prevention, Mitigation and Removal Apparatus

Summary and Background

The objective of this project is for the SQU, PDO and COREX (UK) to cooperate closely on matters related to research in Petroleum Engineering. The collaboration is a cornerstone towards the establishment of a Petroleum Research Center. It opens up new horizons for SQU to embark on extensive research. This would benefit the local industry and the Omani society at large. A letter of agreement has been signed by the three parties mentioned above.

PDO has been facing numerous challenges to find effective solutions to formation damage problems. The company expenditure is sizeable and ways to cut on spending have always been explored. Some of the services offered by remote labs contributed to additional costs, as they are expensive and sometimes inconclusive. The idea to establish a nearby center of excellence has also been prospected. SQU could be the optimum place. 

Recently, SQU/PCE has been studying ways to upgrade its research facilities and labs. The department is in a full swing to take research to a different level. SQU/PCE has always appreciated PDO's endless support to build up its research capabilities. In return, the institution would provide services at reasonable costs. In the process, SQU/PCE would benefit from training its technicians and enhance their research capabilities with proper guidance and exposure. COREX (UK) LTD would be a partner that would help. COREX would equip the technicians with the necessary experience with instrumentations and procedures.

SQU/PCE appreciates PDO efforts to make of SQU a regional pole for consultancy and research. Of course this cannot be achieved without PDO's continuous support. It is understood that SQU/PCE should also contribute with the available resources to this noble cause. For that matter, SQU/PCE is suggesting the following contributions to support housing, installation, testing, maintenance and provide early on services at no cost to PDO; the rest could also be another contribution from PDO endless list of support activities.

1. SQU/PCE could provide space to house the formation damage testing apparatus (It would be helpful to know how much space, power, drainage system, ventilation capacities are required?).

2. SQU/PCE could provide services to PDO at no cost for a period of 24 months (2 years). As such SQU/PCE technical staff operating the rig and performing the different tests would be paid by SQU.

3. As for the training of two SQU technicians, SQU/PCE could provide them with the airplane tickets, room and board.

4. The room and board of the Corex Technician who would install, commission, and train SQU/PCE technicians would also be provided by SQU.

5. The room and board of the technical staff that will be in charge of maintaining the equipment will also be provided by SQU/PCE.

A final note: The Formation Damage Prevention, Mitigation and Removal Apparatus costs have crept up to more than (O.R. 576,000). The project is funded by PDO through contract # C31/0211 (TKW), with Dr. Fathi H. Boukadi as the principal investigator.