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?