Reservoir Characterization by Production Data

Lyman L. Handy Colloquium SeriesPresentsLarry W. Lake,
The University of Texas at AustinAbstractThe history of reservoir characterization has been based on and currently rests on static data. Indeed, entire technologies academic majors, and even commercial enterprises have sprung up to gather, interpret, and use core data, logs, geology and seismic data. The saturations, porosities, permeabilities, relative permeabilitiies, to name a few, from these technologies form the basis of volumetric calculations (original hydrocarbon in place), and recovery estimates (recoverable hydrocarbon). Ironically, it is dynamic data or data from flowing wells that are of commercial interest because revenue streams are directly proportional to it. But, aside from use in pressure transient analysis and as targets in simulation history matching, these data are little used in characterization. This situation is about the change. The large-scale use of near-continuous (real-time) surface and downhole measurements of rates (all fluids), pressures and temperatures will augment\ and in some cases supplant reliance on static measurements. Such measurements are common now on new production facilities. Indications are that they are cost-effective on existing or legacy production. But these measurements will only be useful if there are means to interpret them. The objective of this presentation is to discuss a set of models that will use the coming "tsunami" of data to be generated by production sensor technology too characterize reservoirs.

Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Petra Pearce Sapir