Technology Focus: Reservoir Performance and Modeling (September 2009)

Abstract

Technology Focus "Reservoir engineering is a complex subject for two reasons. In the first place, we never see enough of the reservoirs we are trying to describe. Therefore, it is difficult to define the physics of the system and, therefore, select the correct mathematics to describe the physics with any degree of certainty. The second problem is that even having selected a sensible mathematical model, there are never enough equations to solve for the number of unknowns involved" (Dake 2001). Prudent reservoir management requires active reservoir surveillance to optimize reservoir performance. The challenge for reservoir engineers is to justify the additional cost involved in gathering data and also to transform those data into valuable information. The paper describing an integrated reservoir-surveillance process for the greater Burgan field in Kuwait is an excellent example of how to justify implementing a systematic surveillance process. Lack of data and lack of confidence in data are major challenges in developing brownfields. The paper "Revitalization of Old-Asset Oil Fields Into I-fields" describes how old fields can benefit from the application of modern surveillance technology. The trend toward intelligent fields has increased the use (and demand) for real-time reservoir management. To take advantage of the continuously and rapidly increasing amount of data, the industry will need a workflow shift from the deterministic approach to one based on statistical approaches. The paper "Where is the Gap? Is It in More Reservoir Engineers or in Leveraging New Skills and Workflows That Enhance Individual Productivity?" examines how reservoir engineers can improve productivity by use of statistical concepts and workflows. The additional reading addresses some of the challenges the industry is facing in developing unconventional hydrocarbon resources—in this case, shale gas. Reference Dake, L.P. 2001. The Practice of Reservoir Engineering, ix. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Reservoir Performance and Monitoring additional reading available at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org SPE 119892 • "Impact of Shale Properties on Pore Structure and Storage Characteristics" by R.M. Bustin, University of British Columbia, et al. SPE 119897 • "Production Analysis and Forecasting of Shale-Gas Reservoirs: Case-History-Based Approach" by L. Mattar, SPE, Fekete Associates, et al.