Technology Focus The times they are a-changin’, Bob Dylan sang in the mid-1960s. And it seems to be the case in our industry today. With the never-ending search for new sources of hydrocarbons in more-complex environments, the application of old technologies has not been satisfactory to help us fully realize the new exploration opportunities. As the oil industry endeavors to extract hydrocarbons from fields where, only a few decades ago, it seemed impossible, engineers and scientists are tasked with developing ideas to gain an understanding of the dynamic behavior of the reservoirs, sometimes requiring redundant information. Creativity and ingenuity are called upon when facing challenging projects. Both are particularly necessary when one is trying to extract as much information as possible by the clever integration of multiple groups within an organization and manipulation of complementary data sets. Despite the difficulties encountered in unconventional plays or in tight carbonates that normally require stimulation, along with patience and long-term commitment, the application of sound engineering principles has opened new areas around the world that, until recently, were perceived as not being economical. Two of the key parameters required for full exploitation of a hydrocarbon-bearing field—rock permeability and reservoir pressure—are probably the most elusive to determine in the exploration phase, particularly so in unconventional plays. Hence, any technique that decreases the uncertainty in those estimates is a new valuable tool to the engineers involved in the exploration of new frontiers. Once the size and properties of the container have been evaluated, knowledge of the fluid properties is required to under-stand the flow characteristics. In the early stages of developing a field, on the other hand, engineers and geoscientists continue to integrate as many data sets as possible to quantify the volume of hydrocarbons that may be produced. The well-test data, however, confirm whether the hydrocarbons are producible. With this information, field development can start in earnest. The integration of the static and dynamic data then provides encouragement to develop a field. The three articles chosen are good examples of data integration to understand a field or the clever use of well-test data to solve a specific problem. The interested reader should also check the three alternative articles, as well as other articles available in the OnePetro library (www.onepetro.org). Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. SPE 159126 Reservoir-Connectivity Analysis Using Long-Term Interference Testing in a Waterflood Pilot in the Carbonate Marrat Formation of the Greater Burgan Field, Kuwait by Naz Gazi, Kuwait Oil Company, et al. SPE 159503 Sampling While Drilling: An Emerging Technology by Steven Villareal, Schlumberger, et al. SPE 159680 Investigation of Thermal Well-Test Analysis for Horizontal Wells in SAGD Process by Ashkan Jahanbani Ghahfarokhi, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, et al.
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Dec 17, 2014
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Open Access