Qatar Petroleum and Total celebrate achievements in joint R&D project

Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Total's joint acid stimulation research project has reached a key phase through the successful installation of the QP Dual Core Rig. This rig is the first of its kind in Qatar and is hosted in Total’s premises. To mark this occasion, a celebration was held on September 24 at the QP and Total research centers located in Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP).
The joint acid stimulation research project was signed by QP and Total in 2012, and is designed to increase production from Qatar’s carbonates oil and gas fields through the use of acid stimulation. This joint project between the Total Research Center - Qatar (TRC-Q) and the Qatar Petroleum Research & Technology Centre (QPRTC) comprises laboratory core-flooding experiments, scaling-up and modelling.
The research project focuses in particular on high permeability contrasted formations and, at the same time, strives to mitigate unwanted water production. Injecting acid in wells and dissolving part of the surrounding rocks improve reservoir permeability and, hence, output from producing wells.
The QP Dual Core Rig allows optimizing acid stimulation treatments of QP and Total carbonate reservoirs. In other words, it will help in increasing hydrocarbon production. Carbonate reservoirs are heterogeneous and raise a series of technical challenges. This innovative rig was designed and built by Texas A&M University based on QP specifications. This milestone will contribute to Qatar’s research & development in the field of carbonate reservoirs, as all Qatar’s conventional oil resources are contained in such geological formations.
Dr Nasser Al Mohannadi, QPRTC Manager, said: "This milestone is extremely important for QP. Our Dual Core Rig is the first equipment of this kind in Qatar. Together with Total, we will improve our scientific and technical expertise, thanks to this new system." Dr Philippe Julien, TRC-Q Director, said: "We are very happy and proud to have reached this landmark in our joint research project. It shows our commitment in the domain of acid stimulation.
 In addition to highlighting the excellent relationship that QP and Total share, this milestone will contribute to developing Qatar research capabilities." QP is state-owned public corporation that is responsible for all phases of the oil and gas industry in the State of Qatar. The principal activities of QP, its subsidiaries and joint ventures are the exploration, production, local and international sale of crude oil, natural gas and gas liquids, refined products, synthetic fuels, petrochemicals, fuel additives, fertilizers, liquefied natural gas (LNG), steel and aluminium.
Total has had a continuous presence in Qatar for close to 80 years, and is the only international oil company active in all branches of Qatar’s oil and gas sector. This includes exploration and production, refining and petrochemicals, and the marketing of lubricants.