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Net energy analysis of Bakken crude oil production using a well-level engineering-based model

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  • Brandt, Adam R.
  • Yeskoo, Tim
  • Vafi, Kourosh

Abstract

Since 2005, production of oil from the Bakken formation of North Dakota has increased substantially, and the region now supplies about 1.5% of global oil output. This study presents a first engineering-based assessment of the energy intensity of Bakken crude oil production and computes the resulting NER (net energy return) from Bakken hydrocarbon production. The energy required to drill, produce, and process Bakken oil and gas is estimated for over 7000 wells using open-source drilling and production assessment models. The largest energy uses are from drilling and processing of produced fluids (crude/water emulsions and gas). Fluid lifting and injection and embodied energy are also important energy needs. Median energy consumption equals ≈3.4% of net crude and gas energy content, while mean energy consumption equals ≈3.9% of hydrocarbon energy. The median NER is 29.3 MJ/MJ. The interquartile range is 24.3–35.7 MJ/MJ, while the 5%–95% range is 13.3–52.0 MJ/MJ. NERs have declined in recent years, with a decline in median NER of 23% between 2010 and 2014. Results are most sensitive to modeled estimated ultimate recovery, and embodied energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Brandt, Adam R. & Yeskoo, Tim & Vafi, Kourosh, 2015. "Net energy analysis of Bakken crude oil production using a well-level engineering-based model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 2191-2198.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:93:y:2015:i:p2:p:2191-2198
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.10.113
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    4. Wang, Jianliang & Liu, Mingming & McLellan, Benjamin C. & Tang, Xu & Feng, Lianyong, 2017. "Environmental impacts of shale gas development in China: A hybrid life cycle analysis," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 38-45.
    5. Ke Wang & Harrie Vredenburg & Jianliang Wang & Yi Xiong & Lianyong Feng, 2017. "Energy Return on Investment of Canadian Oil Sands Extraction from 2009 to 2015," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-13, May.
    6. David Grassian & Daniel Olsen, 2019. "Lifecycle Energy Accounting of Three Small Offshore Oil Fields," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-23, July.
    7. Jingxuan Feng & Lianyong Feng & Jianliang Wang, 2018. "Analysis of Point-of-Use Energy Return on Investment and Net Energy Yields from China’s Conventional Fossil Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, February.
    8. Delannoy, Louis & Longaretti, Pierre-Yves & Murphy, David J. & Prados, Emmanuel, 2021. "Peak oil and the low-carbon energy transition: A net-energy perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    9. Salehi, Mohammad & Khajehpour, Hossein & Saboohi, Yadollah, 2020. "Extended Energy Return on Investment of multiproduct energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    10. Huang, Chen & Gu, Baihe & Chen, Yingchao & Tan, Xianchun & Feng, Lianyong, 2019. "Energy return on energy, carbon, and water investment in oil and gas resource extraction: Methods and applications to the Daqing and Shengli oilfields," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    11. Manfroni, Michele & Bukkens, Sandra G.F. & Giampietro, Mario, 2022. "Securing fuel demand with unconventional oils: A metabolic perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    12. Montgomery, J.B. & O’Sullivan, F.M., 2017. "Spatial variability of tight oil well productivity and the impact of technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 344-355.
    13. Wachtmeister, Henrik & Henke, Petter & Höök, Mikael, 2018. "Oil projections in retrospect: Revisions, accuracy and current uncertainty," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 138-153.

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