Reservoir Engineering Applications to Control Excess Water and Gas Production

Abstract

Abstract Conformance control is defined as any action taken to improve the injection or production profile of a well. It encompasses procedures that enhance recovery efficiency, improve wellbore/casing integrity, and satisfy environmental regulations. Unwanted fluid production in oil- and gas-producing wells is a factor that limits the productive life of a well. The cost of produced water disposal in an environmentally non-threatening fashion may be a major concern for many producers. In addition, control of excess water and gas production improves profitability by allowing additional oil to be produced. Application of water control technology assists in minimizing water production and maintaining the oil flow rate of a well. Reservoir engineering and well testing play essential roles in characterizing and detecting the problems associated with producing formations and wells. This paper starts with problem identification in both producing and injection wells. It then covers the behavior and control of several types of reservoirs with different drive mechanisms. Applications of reservoir simulation and well testing in the control of water and gas coning, determination of the amount and the best appropriate treatment application, effect of formation layering, control of relative permeability to water, application of permeability blocking agents, water channeling, secondary recovery, viscous fingering, and polymer flooding are detailed in this paper. In addition several techniques to evaluate the overall success of a conformance control procedure are presented. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to identify reservoirs associated with excessive gas or water production and to recommend the proper remediation. Conformance control begins with identifying the source of problem. This requires a thorough investigation of all aspects of well and reservoir parameters. The following is a list of some of the parameters required for identification of reservoir performance problems.–Reservoir permeability and porosity–Relative permeability to oil, water, and gas–Connate water and irreducible oil and gas saturations–Net formation height–Recovery mechanism–Reservoir dip–Oil, gas, and water production rates versus time–Original water-oil contact–Length of time before water production began–Location of all perforations–Fraction of the productive interval completed–Identification of fluid entry locations and the type of fluid entering wellbore (production logging)–Location and continuity of any shale layers–Identification of cement to casing bonding (bond log) This review is divided into the following four main sections: P. 413