Abstract
SummaryThis paper examines the decoupling of small-scale heterogeneity (dispersion) and permeability variation by use of multiwell tracer-test data. Tracer transport in heterogeneous reservoirs is governed by spreading (because of the spatial variability of permeability) and mixing (caused by dispersion); the combined effects of these two phenomena can be described after very long time periods (rarely met in practice) by the Taylor (1953) theory of asymptotic dispersion.A new formulation is presented to study tracer propagation along streamlines in heterogeneous reservoirs. The streamlines are modeled as analogous reservoir layers with no crossflow. The fraction of layers in which tracer transport occurs faster than the solution of the convection/diffusion equation (CDE) is determined; this fraction represents layers through which channeling may take place: obviously, the larger the fraction, the lower the sweep efficiency. Moreover, a field example is used to demonstrate how to decouple the convoluted effects of the channeling from small-scale heterogeneity.An accurate estimation of “true” dispersion is an essential step in designing a successful enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Furthermore, the sweep efficiency of heterogeneous reservoir can be estimated through interwell-spacing heterogeneity; this improves performance predictions and the economic evaluation of the project.
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