Reservoir Characteriza

terization and Simulation:

The Dilemma of Living with More
Unknowns than Equations

Turgay Ertekin
Penn State University
 OUTLINE

Reservoir characterization and synergy in reservoir management

Reservoir characterization and mathematical models of the reservoir
Reservoir characterization and uncertainty of reservoir simulation
Synergy in reservoir simulation
Reservoir characterization from field data
Summary
 Optimizing the Performance of a Field
Characterize
the reservoir
Define operating
alternatives
Make predictions
for different
Geologic model
Simulation model scenarios
Input data Analyze results
History matching and
make decisions

Economic model
 What is Reservoir Characterization?
A managing tool for our most important asset
(1) Begins prior to acquisition and continues through all phases
of the life cycle, and
(2) Describes the critical set of activities and decisions needed
for effective reservoir asset management
Guiding principles
(1) Reservoir is the primary asset
(2) Data acquisition involves:
forward planning
cost/benefit analysis
focusing on critical uncertainties
considering short term/long term objectives
Uses multi-
multi-disciplinary teams
 What is Reservoir Characterization?

STATIC DESCRIPTION:

How much hydrocarbon there is

in place.
Reservoir characterization
forms the foundation for the
other analysis steps.
DYNAMIC DESCRIPTION:

How much of it and at what rate

can be recovered
 What is Reservoir Characterization?

OBJECTIVES:

Identifying key reservoir features ACQUIRE--EXPLORE

ACQUIRE EXPLORE--APPRAISE

Identifying main drive mechanisms DEVELOP

Determining reservoir volumetrics PRODUCE

Monitoring performance DISPOSE

 Reservoir Characterization

Reservoir model
Regional
depositional
studies

Field & well

Fluid Rock Geologic
production
characterization characterization modeling information

Seismic
survey
 Sources of Data
o Geophysical Data
o Geological Data
Geological Processes

Deposition

Diagenesis

Outcrop / Analogy Studies

Core Data

Open
Open--Hole Log Data
l Engineering Data
Cased
Cased--Hole Log Data
Pressure Transient Data

Historical Production Data

PVT Analysis

Tracer Studies
 Data: Potential Areas of Conflict
n Porosity
o Core: Core Scale, High Confidence
o Open--Hole Logs: Reservoir Scale, High Confidence
Open

n Permeability
o Core Permeability: Core Scale, High Confidence
o Open--Hole Logs: Reservoir Scale, Low Confidence (Derived)
Open
o Pressure Transient Permeability: Reservoir Scale, High Confidence (May Represent
Averaged Value over Several Flow Units within Test Interval)

n Reservoir Pressure
o Formation Wireline Tester: Reservoir Scale, High Confidence (Individual Flow
Units)
o Pressure Transient Analysis:Reservoir Scale, Medium Confidence (May
Represent Averaged Value over Several Flow Units within Test Interval)
 Data: Potential Areas of Conflict
n Initial Saturations
o Core: Core Scale, Medium Confidence (Represents Small Sample)
o Open--Hole Logs: Reservoir Scale, High Confidence
Open
o Cased--Hole Logs: Reservoir Scale,, Med
Cased Medium Confidence (May Represent Swept
Conditions)
n End--Point Saturations
End
o Core: Core Scale, High/Medium Confidence
o Open--Hole Logs:
Open
Swir: Reservoir Scale, High Confidence

Sorw: Reservoir Scale, Medium/Low Confidence (Uncertainty over whether

Sorw has been Reached, Only Found in In-
In-fill Wells)
o Cased--Log Derived:
Cased
Sorw: Reservoir Scale, High/Medium Confidence (Uncertainty over whether
Sorw has been Reached)
 Data: Potential Areas of Conflict
n Transition Zone Heights
o Core: Core Scale, Medium Confidence (Capillary Pressure from
Core Represents Small Sample)
o Open--Hole Logs: Reservoir Scale, High Confidence
Open
n Fluid Contacts
o Scale is not an Issue
o Open--Hole Logs: High Confidence (May be Masked by
Open
Lithological Effects)
o Wireline Formation Tester: High Confidence
o Seismic: Medium/Low: Seismic
ismic Flat Events not Always Apparent,
Requires Velocity Model)
 Data: Resolution of Data Conflicts
n Always give more Weight to Data which:
o Contain a High Degree of Confidence
Pressure Transient Permeability versus Log Derived Permeability

Unsteady
Unsteady--State Relative Permeability versus Steady State Relative
Permeability
Bottom
Bottom--Hole PVT Samples versus Recombined Separator Samples
o Are Measured at the Appropriate Scale for the Reservoir Model
Log versus Core Data

Pressure Transient Data versus Core Data

o Are Representative of the Processes Occurring in the Reservoir

Differential (Variable Composition) PVT Data versus Flash (Constant
Composition) PVT Data
Imbibition (Increasing Wetting Phase Saturation) versus Drainage
(Decreasing Wetting Phase Satura
Saturation) Relative Permeability and Capillary
Pressure Data for Water Wet Reservoirs
n Preliminary Versions of the Flow Model can be Used to Screen
Conflicting Data to Determine Further Course of Action
 A Conceptual Model for Reservoir
Characterization

Collect and
evaluate data

Interpret/improve
Design data
reservoir desciption
acquisition plan

Identify critical risks

cost/benefit analysis
 Synergism in Reservoir Management
Key Questions:

What does the reservoir look like?

What is its external geometry? Modern Reservoir
What is the continuity of the internal Management:
pore space and fluids?
Will the reservoir have an effective Teamwork
natural water drive? If so, what is the
Close coordination
aquifer geometry, continuity and strength?
Where should wells and platforms be Geologists
located? Geophysicists
How should wells be completed and Engineers
perforated? Petrophysicists
Will recoveries be better by water or gas
displacement?
Will improved recovery technology be needed
and when?
 Synergism and Organization
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
common goal with specific
training in teamwork
objectives
recognition of contributions
focusing early on key issues
personnel problems
diverse specialists
emergency response attitude
savings in time and cost

Barriers:
diverse personalities
lack of good communication skills
resistance to the concept of sharing
1. ACQUIRE 2. EXPLORE 3. APPRAISE

Life Cycle of an Asset

6. DISPOSE 5. PRODUCE 4. DEVELOP

 Acquire--Explore and Appraise
Acquire

Geologist

Reserves
Rates
Petrophysicist Drive Mechanisms Geophysicist
Aquifer Size

DATA AVAILABLE:
Seismic surveys
Engineer Logs
Cores, fluid samples
Well tests
 Planning phase

Geologist

Well locations
Number of wells
Drilling Engineer Number of rigs Geophysicist
and platforms

DATA AVAILABLE:
Reservoir Fine--grid seismic lines
Fine
Engineer More logs
More cores, fluid samples
More well tests
 Produce

Geologist

Completion &
Reservoir workover planning
Geophysicist
Engineer Production strategies
Handling of fluids

DATA AVAILABLE:
Fine--grid seismic lines
Fine
Production Logs on all wells
Engineer Cores on 25% of wells
Well tests
 Surveillance phase

Geologist

Infill drilling
Reservoir Revised production Geophysicist
Engineer injection strategies

DATA AVAILABLE:
Pressure surveys
Production GOR and WOR
Engineer Wellbore surveys