Integrated Production transforms a mature Ecuadorian field

Unlocking new value from a mature Ecuadorian asset, and paving the way for sustainable growth

Faced with declining production in a mature onshore field, the operator and SLB embarked on a transformative journey to reshape the asset’s future. Their collaboration was built on a shared vision for growth, combining SLB’s domain expertise, technology, and digital solutions with the operator’s deep field knowledge.

Together, they implemented a comprehensive recovery strategy that included waterflooding, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and digital transformation. This partnership not only arrested production decline but also delivered sustained incremental growth, extended asset life, and unlocked significant additional reserves—this set a new benchmark for mature field revitalization in Ecuador.

Maximizing recovery and extending field life

The primary objective was to arrest the natural decline of the mature field and maximize its remaining potential. The team aimed to extend the asset’s productive life by deploying secondary and tertiary recovery methods, expanding into new areas of the field, and modernizing operations.

Balancing operational risk with strategic field development, the operator and SLB sought to optimize recovery, increase efficiency.

An integrated recovery and digital transformation program

The SLB team executed a multi-faceted recovery and digitization program.

The transformation began with infill drilling and well interventions to stabilize production. To achieve a step-change in recovery, the team implemented waterflooding, starting with pilot projects and scaling up to full-field deployment. Advanced completion technologies, such as dumpflooding and dual-purpose wells, were introduced to enhance sweep efficiency and operational flexibility.

To further boost recovery, SLB designed and executed Ecuador’s first chemical production oil recovery (EOR) pilot, using polymer flooding in a sandstone reservoir—a project fast-tracked from screening to first injection in just 1.5 years.

Digital transformation was a cornerstone of the solution, with the adoption of the Agora™ edge AI and IoT solutions,and AI-driven waterflooding analysis. These technologies enabled remote, 24/7 monitoring and control, smart alerts, and significantly reduced intervention times. To support increased activity, surface facilities were expanded through 228 projects, boosting both pumping and storage capacity.

Throughout the transformation, the operator and SLB maintained a focus on innovation, rapid scaling, and integrated execution.

• Arrested production decline and achieved sustained incremental growth.
• Reached a new production peak of 86,000 BOPD in June 2020.
• Produced over 260 million barrels of oil since 2015, with an additional 165 million barrels projected.
• Extended asset life significantly beyond baseline expectations.
• Implemented and expanded waterflooding from 0—44 injectors.
• Waterflooding contributed substantial incremental oil recovery and supported pressure maintenance.
• Designed and executed Ecuador’s first chemical EOR pilot (polymer flooding in a sandstone reservoir).
• Projected +7% incremental recovery factor by 2035 from the EOR.
• Fast-tracked EOR pilot from screening to first injection in 1.5 years.
• Deployed 20+ digital projects for smart production operations.
• Established remote 24/7 monitoring and control with smart alerts and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and edge AI prioritization.
• Reduced intervention time by 98% through digital field management and predictive analytics.
• Drilled 182 new wells and performed 1,055 workovers to maximize production and recovery.
• Completed 228 facility projects, increasing pumping capacity by +80% and storage capacity by +90%.
• Enabled rapid scale-up through close operator–SLB collaboration and fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Delivered 1.9X additional reserves compared to baseline projections through integrated production solutions.
• Improved production efficiency and optimized operating costs.