Field rejuvenation candidates can be selected after rigorous screening with worldwide analogs. A review of more than 390 mature, nearing depletion, depleted, rejuvenating, and abandoned fields in 115 basins worldwide, suggests that improved efficiency and advanced technology should be combined to maximize hydrocarbon recovery in mature fields. The majority (80%) of these fields are at a mature or nearly depleted stage and only 3% have been abandoned, whereas 17% are or have been in rejuvenation after a major decline from their main production plateau. Of the abandoned fields, 58% produced from fractured reservoirs or presented severe water management problems.

Examples of successful field rejuvenations include the Parrylands Field onshore Trinidad, Ekofisk in the North Sea Central Graben, Mene Grande and Dación fields of the Maracaibo and Eastern Venezuela basins, South Umm Gudair Field in the Northeast Arabian Shelf, and Baram Field in the Sabah Basin of Malaysia. In most cases a detailed re-evaluation was required integrating all available well and historical information with 3-D seismic data, and the reservoir characterization models were extensively updated. Improved efficiency was demonstrated by applying conventional approaches such as geologically targeted infill drilling, selective re-completions and water shut-offs. Advanced technologies such as horizontal and multilateral drilling were generally used in combination with these conventional techniques.

Applications using analogs for field redevelopment include the selection of highly compartmentalized reservoirs where bypassed reserves are suspected, and selection of candidates for massive application of technologies such as under-balanced drilling and water conformance.