Unleashing the Potential of Rate Transient Analysis: Transforming the Exploitation of Mature and Tight Fields, 40-Years Mature Field Case Study

Abstract

Abstract This paper aims to investigate the challenges faced in the development of mature and tight fields, primarily resulting from reservoir depletion, high operational costs and reserves volumetric calculations uncertainty. The objective is to address the power of old, cheap data integration with the rate transient analysis technique. Additionally, the absence of sophisticated reservoir modeling data further complicates the situation due to the wells’ development many years ago. However, the paper intends to explore the potential of diverse sets of production data over an extended period, available for interpretation and integration with production operations data, to revolutionize the exploitation of mature and tight fields. The paper investigates the effectiveness of Rate Transient Analysis (RTA) in mature fields. This study introduces an innovative workflow that leverages existing data sources, such as Net Liquid above Pump (NLAP) and SRP SAM panel data, which was previously overlooked, to demonstrate the remarkable advancements made possible through RTA, particularly in the late-life development of mature fields and leverages the possibility to revive the old field again and convincing the management to re-invest in such fields. This research presents compelling outcomes achieved by applying the proposed workflow to old tight reservoirs. The results reveal a successful correlation between initially calculated static volumetric reserves and the lately dynamically calculated reserves, affirming the accuracy of the new RTA/Production data integration workflow in evaluating reservoir potential. Moreover, the study identifies previously unrecognized drilling locations and optimal fluid withdrawal spots, facilitating precise exploitation of these tight reservoirs. Additionally, the research uncovers the optimal spacing necessary to maximize permeability and drainage area in these formations, unlocking their full potential for enhanced recovery. The findings presented in this study significantly contribute to a deeper understanding and optimization of mature field operations by harnessing the power of RTA in conjunction with specialized operations such as hydraulic fracturing, operators can design optimal stimulation plans to further enhance reservoir performance. Additionally, integrating RTA results with simulation studies helps reduce uncertainty in history matching and forecasting, enabling more accurate production plans.