Reservoir Simulation workflow is well accepted in the oil and gas industry to perform detailed Field Development Planning (FDP) and chart business decisions my mitigating uncertainties. Judicious application of this tool enables better understanding of the reservoir architecture, reduce field development risks and improve business decision making.
It is important to define the objectives of the reservoir simulation study at the outset. This should be followed by an inventory assessment of the available data. If necessary data is lacking it is important to schedule a prompt data surveillance campaign. The data collection process should start as early in the life of the field as possible. Once the data is sorted through focus should shift towards building the appropriate team. Typical integrated reservoir modeling projects need varied skill sets from log analysis capability to seismic data interpretation to geomodeling knowledge to performing engineering analysis and dynamic modeling. An integrated modeling platform is also desired where data can seamlessly flow between analysts, results updated, viewed and reported in the most efficient fashion. Needless to say that successful undertaking and completion of such projects need technical experience and project management expertise.
SiteLark has successfully accomplished many such projects over the span of a decade. It’s consultants have many more years of combined experience in similar undetakings. Petrophysical evaluation is essential in any integrated study. A review of logs, completions, and communication with project personnel usually results in development of a petrophysical model designed to properly evaluate the hydrocarbon potential within the area. Reservoir and pay cutoffs, porosity, permeability, clay content and water saturation are prepared for reservoir simulation. Geophysical evaluation encompasses data quality control, scrutiny of tie-lines for mis-match and corroborating the well tops. Several iterations are performed to converge to an acceptable surface map for the reservoir simulation study. Several other material properties related to hardness and elasticity of the formation can also be determined if quality of data is suitable. Time-lapse seismic can provide information about potential of remaining oil.
Geocellular modeling workflow uses Petrel™ modeling software is used to build 3D realistic, robust upscaled geological models for input to simulation and field development planning studies, incorporating reservoir heterogeneity from the mega to the micro-scale. The process initiates with the help of client personnel and their conceptual model and ultimate goals of the project in mind. Appropriate data from all available sources are assimilated to accurately reflect the geology present in the reservoir under study - log and core data, structure maps, conceptual geologic environment models, seismic attributes and interpretation data, interpretations from production logs and tests, etc. Structural and stratigraphic modeling follows with facies identification, mapping and gridding which could be simple structured to complex unstructured for the reservoir simulation.
Several engineering analyses are performed prior to setting up the reservoir model. Production diagnostics provide spatial relationship of reservoir properties. Fluid, rock and rock fluid analysis provide and validate attributes that have been suggested from other methods or analogs. Some special algorithms devised in-house and other state-of-the-art methodologies cited in the literature form the basis of these analyses. Appropriate commercial tools from Schlumberger, Halliburton, CMG etc. are used to supplement the above tasks. Once the input data is organized and loaded to the reservoir simulation deck, a systematic plan is contemplated for the simulation project.
Reservoir simulation is a comprehensive framework to evaluate and optimize the performance of oil and gas fields. The influence of many key reservoir and fluid properties on oil recovery can be captured by using this method. Analytic tools no longer yield meaningful results for complicated reservoirs or reservoir fluids. Many key questions about the optimum development scheme for a particular reservoir can be answered by performing simulations after carefully characterizing the reservoir. By integrating these results with surface planning requirements, a robust field development plan can be developed. |
