Feasibility analysis of commingle production of multi-layer reservoirs in the high water cut stage of oilfield development

Abstract

AbstractMulti-layer commingle production is a common development technique to improve the overall oil recovery of multi-layer reservoirs. However, this technique is mainly used at low water cut stage. Research on this technique at high water cut stage is comparatively few. Therefore, in order to improve productivity and recovery of wells, feasibility analysis of commingle production of multi-layer reservoirs in the high water cut stage is analyzed. To achieve a good commingle production result, the production layers must be optimized and inter-layer interference must be analyzed and reduced as much as possible. Factors, such as permeability, porosity, viscosity, capillary pressure, gravity, pressure difference, and water cut difference, have impact on commingle production. But it is difficult to consider all these factors. Therefore, according to the geological reservoir characteristics of X Oilfield, a model is established to simulate commingle production process, and the results are compared and analyzed. The interference degree is characterized by seepage resistance. The commingle production effect is evaluated by dimensionless oil increase coefficient, production index, and production index interference coefficient. The results show that the larger the difference of permeability ratio and water cut between multi-layers, the more severe the interlayer interference; dimensionless oil increase coefficients are all positive, it means that commingle production can achieve good oil increase effect even in the high water cut stage; the recommended technical limits for commingle production are that: permeability ratio is less than 5; commingle production timing is that water cut of low permeability layer is higher than 80%. This technique has been applied to X Oilfield, and the oil recovery increased about 2.8%, which confirmed this method feasibility.