Appraising the Performance of Cyclic Production Scheme through Reservoir Simulation, a Case Study

Abstract

Abstract Oil wells in mature fields with strong aquifer influx and the first row of producers near peripheral water injectors experience very high water cuts (above 80%), which cause lower oil production and increasing disposal costs. To mitigate this situation, various production strategies have been implemented in this simulation study to reduce water production, optimize oil production and revive dead wells. One strategy is to implement a cyclic production scheme (CPS). The CPS requires alternate shutting and flowing of wells with high water cuts over predetermined time cycles. The main objectives of the cyclic strategy is to reduce water production by optimizing oil production, minimizing coning effect and having a better control of the uniform waterflood front to the up-dip producers. This strategy enhances the sweep efficiency, improving pressure maintenance and minimizing water production. This simulation study assesses the effectiveness and the performance of CPS implemented in a reservoir simulation model of a mature oil field. Simulation runs with several scenarios were conducted to understand and optimize the impact of CPS. The simulation results provided the best cyclic production/shut-in period and showed significant advantages of applying CPS over the regular noncyclic production in all scenarios. In this study, more than 93 wells have been evaluated and most of these wells showed good overall oil recovery after applying the CPS strategy.