Production From Heavy Gas Condensate Reservoirs

Abstract

ABSTRACT Heavy gas condensate reservoirs (γ > 0.75) present interesting challenges in their study, production and reservoir management. Simulation and history matching are often hindered by the lack of appropriate PVT properties. Furthermore, it is well established that they experience hysteresis effects following a shut-in. Remedial action is cumbersome but possible. This work presents a simulation of the behavior of both lean and heavy (rich) gas condensate reservoirs, shows radial liquid profiles for various flowing bottomhole pressures (compared with a phase diagram), demonstrates degree of gas relative permeability reduction and explains the hysteresis effect. Lean gas injection is a remedial action, reducing the near-wellbore liquid saturation. The study shows that the degree of the adverse gas relative permeability reduction can be minimized or tempered by the appropriate choice of the flowing bottomhole pressure, ie., production can be optimized.