Kiamuke Itiowe

The global economy is expanding at a drastic pace, and energy is fundamental to nearly all economic activities and modern living standards. Sustaining the oil supply is a profound challenge in the oil and gas industry. One of the ways the industry is now looking to sustain supply is through developing oil rims, which were once considered uncommercial because of technology. Developing oil rim has its opportunities and challenges, on which this study has focused. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and viability of oil rim development, its opportunities and challenges, and the factors affecting its economic viability. The Troll Oilfield on the Norwegian continental shelf is used as a case study because it is an oil rim field. The economic analysis is based on historical production data of the Troll oilfield. A deterministic approach is used, which involves both cash flow and sensitivity analysis. Based on the economic analysis results, oil rim development is marginally economic and viable but on certain conditions: low CAPEX and high oil price. The type of technology used in developing oil rims determines the efficiency and economic feasibility of the development. The outcome of this study shows that technology has made oil rim development possible which was once considered uncommercial in the past, and oil price is the primary determinant of the viability of oil rim development