The document provides an overview of the oil and gas exploration and production process. It discusses the key stages: exploration surveying, exploratory drilling, appraisal, development and production, and decommissioning. Exploration surveying involves desk studies, aerial photography, and seismic surveys. Exploratory drilling verifies the presence of hydrocarbons and determines quantities. Appraisal determines the size and commercial viability of oil fields. Development and production extracts oil and gas using various techniques. Decommissioning safely removes installations and restores sites after 20-40 years of commercial production.

1. OVERVIEW OF THE OIL & GAS
EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
PROCESS
MR. MWINIBANZORA F. MAXWELL

2. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION (1)
Introduction
Oil and gas exploration &production process
 Exploration surveying
 Exploratory drilling
 Appraisal
 Development & production
 Decommissioning
Reference

3. INTRODUCTION (2)
Composition of the oil & gas exploration and
production Process
The industry comprises two parts:
 Upstream – exploration, development &
production
 Downstream – refining , processing, distribution
and marketing of crude oil and gas products

4. CATEGORIES OIL AND GAS
COMPANIES (3)
Fully/vertically integrated oil & gas companies
 Have both upstream & downstream interest
Exploration & production(E & R) companies
 Concentrate on a particular sector – exploration &
production
Refining and marketing (R & M) companies
 Concentrate on only refining and marketing
Multi-national/international oil companies (IOCS)
 Large companies & operate at global scale

5. CATEGORIES OIL AND GAS
COMPANIES
 Independent oil companies
 Smaller companies and concentrate on specific areas of
the world
 National oil companies (NOCs)
 State-owned companies that operate in the best interest
of the state
 Service/contractor companies
 Offer specialized technical services to the industry
e.g geophysical surveys, drilling & cementing, catering &
hotel services

6. OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION PROCESS
 Exploration surveying involves:
 Desk studies
 Aerial photography
 Seismic survey
 Exploratory drilling involves the drilling of
exploratory wells/wild cuts
 To verify the presence or absence of
hydrocarbons and determines the quantity

7. OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION PROCESS
Appraisal/evaluation includes:
 Drilling more wells or appraisal wells to determine
the size and extent of the oil field
 Alternatively to determine the commerciality is
viable to develop
Development & production:
 Development/production well to aid extraction of
oil and gas from the reservoir using pressure,
artificial lifting and possibly advanced techniques

8. OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND
PRODUCTION PROCESS
 Decommissioning and rehabilitation:
 Decommissioning of onshore production installations at
the end of commercial life of the project
 20 – 40 years
 May Involves:
 Removal of buildings & equipment
 Restoration project site to environmentally sound
conditions
 Implement measures to induce site re-vegetation
 Continue to monitor site after the closer

9. REFERENCE:
 E & P Forum, Environmental Management in
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production: an
overview of issues and Management, 1997,
Joint E & P Forum/UNEP Technical Publication

10. THANK YOU
QUESTION?