Statoil is an international energy company with operations in 30 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, we are committed to accommodating the world's energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. We are headquartered in Norway with approx. 21,000 employees worldwide, and are listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges.
Technology, Projects and Drilling (TPD) aims to provide safe, efficient and cost competitive global well and project delivery, where cost competitive procurement will be an important contributing factor. Corporate wide procurement services will furthermore help drive down costs in the broader organisation. As Statoil’s technology centre, the business area aims to ensure commercially focused global technology development and implementation. In addition, the business area will provide line management with global expertise and global standards based on best practice. Moreover, the business area will drive the fast track initiative to move towards the industrialisation of small field development on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Job description

  • Introduction
  • Statoil Research and Technology has a dedicated research group that addresses the modeling and characterization of inflow valves for improved oil recovery (IOR). The group is located in Porsgrunn, where it operates an inflow valve rig where valves are characterized for various live oils-water-gas mixtures. To properly evaluate the potential of this technology inflow valve models need to be adequately model and upscale into reservoir simulations. Advanced inflow control is used to mitigate the effect of heterogeneities in the model equalizing the inflow into the completion and delaying the water/gas breakthroughs.
  • For the summer of 2016, we are seeking motivated and dedicated students that can work with our on-going research activities. Students seeking a somewhat longer engagement can also apply.
  • Task 1: Porous media and inflow control devices
  • It is of interest to design experiments for understanding the interaction between the porous media and inflow devices in the near-well completion region. This task involves:
  • Literature review of existing test cells
  • Design proposals for testing rig
  • Definition of realistic boundary conditions
  • Evaluations using CFD simulations.
  • Task 2: Sensitivity studies over Reservoir models
  • Evaluate new and existing inflow valve device model sensitivities to reservoir simulations (ECLIPSE-Reveal-Intersect). How much of the discrepancy between real and simulated production can the various inflow valve models explained. Both light and heavy oil sector models will be used in these evaluations. Some of the inflow valve models may require modeling their characteristics using tables. Scalability and accuracy are important aspects to take into account when modeling using this approach.
  • Other subtasks may include: multi-segment well workflow comparisons e.g. ECLIPSE schedule vs PETREL connection factors, grid sensitivities studies, sector model creations, etc.
  • Task 3: Validate micro-annular multiphase flow CFD models using experimental data
  • The inflow valve performance is affected by the upstream multiphase flow phenomena happening in the flow path between the screen and the valve intake. Experimental data obtained from a new testing rig is to be used to validate CFD model that describe this problem. Upscaling considerations taking into account the associated pressure drop of the micro-annular flow are to be proposed. This task involves:
  • Literature review
  • Upscaling workflow proposals
  • Definition of realistic boundary conditions
  • Evaluations using CFD simulations.
  • To ensure an efficient recruitment process, please be informed that you may apply for a maximum of three summer internship adverts. Please state your order of preference and priority regarding discipline and location in each application

Qualifications

  • Completed at least two years of university/college education by spring 2016
  • Background in petroleum engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, control theory, and mechanical engineering
  • Interest for fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, reservoir and process engineering
  • Programming experience (Python, Matlab, and/or C/C++) is an advantage
  • No more than 1 year of relevant experience (please note research under a PhD are not be considered relevant experience).
  • By summer 2016 you will have completed at least two years of relevant studies and will be on track to graduate with bachelor, master or PhD degree in 2017 or later.

Personal qualities

  • Our values are to be courageous, open, hands-on and caring. We believe in these qualities, which are essential for building an even stronger Statoil. If you can identify with them, you could be the one to strengthen our team
  • Candidates are expected to openly offer all relevant information about themselves during the recruitment process

We offer

We offer competitive salaries, a general bonus scheme, good pension and insurance schemes and a comprehensive welfare package. Statoil wants to ensure diversity in terms of gender, age and culture.

General information

Make sure that we are able to give your application consideration: Please apply in English. Please attach your CV in English, as well as copies of your diplomas, certificates and grades in English or Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language). Applications submitted without such attachments will unfortunately not be evaluated. If you are in the process of completing a degree, please upload an official temporary transcript or other document describing subjects and grades completed to this point.
Our values are to be courageous, open, hands-on and caring. We believe in these qualities, which are essential for building an even stronger Statoil. If you can identify with them, you could be the one to strengthen our team.
Candidates are expected to openly offer all relevant information about themselves during the recruitment process.