Development Challenges in a Heavy Oil Field, Subject to Water Production: A Case Study of Diamond Field in Central Africa
ISSAKHA Tidjani DJIMET1, Brahim TCHOU2, Huguette Christiane Emvoutou3, Alexis Mouangué Nanimina4
1ISSAKHA TIDJANI DJIMET, Lecturer, Laboratory of Fundamental Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
2Brahim TCHOU, Lecturer, Energy and Materials Research Laboratory (LREM), Higher Institute of Science and Technology of Abéché (INSTA), Abéché, Chad.
3Huguette Christiane Emvoutou, Associate Professor, Laboratory of Geosciences, Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Douala, Cameroon.
4Alexis Mouangué Nanimina, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Higher Institute of Science and Technology of Abéché (INSTA), Abéché, Chad.
Manuscript received on 12 December 2025 | First Revised Manuscript received on 01 January 2026 | Second Revised Manuscript received on 09 January 2026 | Manuscript Accepted on 15 January 2026 | Manuscript published on 30 January 2026 | PP: 18-22 | Volume-15 Issue-2, January 2026 | Retrieval Number: 100.1/ijitee.C122115030226 | DOI: 10.35940/ijitee.C1221.15020126
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open-access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The Diamond field from onshore in Gabon was brought into production by Perenco in 2000, but its development has mainly focused on deep light oil reservoirs. This study reassesses the potential of the shallow Senonian and Turonian reservoirs, which have remained underexploited due to technical challenges, including the presence of heavy oil (18-22 API) and significant water production. The results of structural modelling and petrophysical analysis (CMR) estimate a total oil in place (STOIIP) volume of 48 Mmstbo for the base case, rising to 718 Mmstbo in the high scenario. The analysis identifies 12 potential productive intervals, including six (6) in the light oil zone and six (6) in the heavy oil zone. Although the current recovery factor for the EM1 & LC2 zone is only 5.5%, as illustrated by the RK-3 well’s historical production of 500,000 barrels in July 2010, the study shows that recovery rates of up to 40% are possible. Confirmation of these volumes, representing possible contingent resources of 287 Mmstb, now requires a dedicated appraisal phase to reduce structural uncertainties.
Keywords: Diamond Field (Gabon), Heavy oil, Water production, STOIIP (Oil in place), Senonian & Turonian, Petrophysical analysis (CMR).
Scope of the Article: Mechanical Engineering