Modeling Original Water Saturation in the Transition Zone of a Carbonate Oil Reservoir

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (06) ◽  
pp. 681-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawket G. Ghedan ◽  
Bertrand M. Thiebot ◽  
Douglas A. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Height Functions ◽  
Transition Zones ◽  
Irreducible Water Saturation ◽  
Original Water

Summary Accurately modeling water-saturation variation in transition zones is important to reservoir simulation for predicting recoverable oil and guiding field-development plans. The large transition zone of a heterogeneous Middle East reservoir was challenging to model. Core-calibrated, log-derived water saturations were used to generate saturation-height-function groups for nine reservoir-rock types. To match the large span of log water saturation (Sw) in the transition zone from the free-water level (FWL) to minimum Sw high in the oil column, three saturation-height functions per rock type (RT) were developed, one each for the low-, medium-, and high-porosity range. Though developed on a different scale from the simulation-model cells, the saturation profiles generated are a good statistical match to the wireline-log-interpreted Sw, and bulk volume of water (BVW) and fluid volumetrics agree with the geological model. RT-guided saturation-height functions proved a good method for modeling water saturation in the simulation model. The technique emphasizes the importance of oil/brine capillary pressures measured under reservoir conditions and of collecting an adequate number of Archie saturation and cementation exponents to reduce uncertainties in well-log interpretation. Introduction The heterogeneous carbonate reservoir in this study is composed of both limestone and dolomite layers frequently separated by non-reservoir anhydrite layers (Ghedan et al. 2002). Because of its heterogeneity, this reservoir, like other carbonate reservoirs, contains long saturation-transition zones of significant sizes. Transition zones are conventionally defined as that part of the reservoir between the FWL and the level at which water saturation reaches a minimum near-constant (irreducible water saturation, Swirr) high in the reservoir (Masalmeh 2000). For the purpose of this paper, however, we define transition zones as those parts of the reservoir between the FWL and the dry-oil limit (DOL), where both water and oil are mobile irrespective of the saturation level. Both water and oil are mobile in the transition zone, while only oil is mobile above the transition zone. By either definition, the oil/water transition zone contains a sizable part of this field's oil in place. Predicting the amount of recoverable oil in a transition zone through simulation depends on (among other things) the distribution of initial oil saturation as a function of depth as well as the mobility of the oil in these zones (Masalmeh 2000). Therefore, the characterization of transition zones in terms of original water and oil distribution has a potentially large effect on reservoir recoverable reserves and, in turn, reservoir economics.

scholarly journals Formation evaluation and reservoir characteristics of the Messinian Abu Madi sandstones in Faraskour Gas Field, onshore Nile Delta, Egypt

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Leila ◽  
Ali Eslam ◽  
Asmaa Abu El-Magd ◽  
Lobna Alwaan ◽  
Ahmed Elgendy
Keyword(s):  
Water Saturation ◽  
Nile Delta ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
The Other ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Reservoir Quality ◽  
Pore System ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Irreducible Water Saturation

Abstract The Messinian Abu Madi Formation represents the most prospective reservoir target in the Nile Delta. Hydrocarbon exploration endeavors in Nile Delta over the last few decades highlighted some uncertainties related to the predictability and distribution of the Abu Madi best reservoir quality facies. Therefore, this study aims at delineating the factors controlling the petrophysical heterogeneity of the Abu Madi reservoir facies in Faraskour Field, northeastern onshore part of the Nile Delta. This work provides the very first investigation on the reservoir properties of Abu Madi succession outside the main canyon system. In the study area, Abu Madi reservoir is subdivided into two sandstone units (lower fluvial and upper estuarine). Compositionally, quartzose sandstones (quartz > 65%) are more common in the fluvial unit, whereas the estuarine sandstones are often argillaceous (clays > 15%) and glauconitic (glauconite > 10%). The sandstones were classified into four reservoir rock types (RRTI, RRTII, RRTIII, and RRTIV) having different petrophysical characteristics and fluid flow properties. RRTI hosts the quartzose sandstones characterized by mega pore spaces (R35 > 45 µm) and a very well-connected, isotropic pore system. On the other side, RRTIV constitutes the lowest reservoir quality argillaceous sandstones containing meso- and micro-sized pores (R35 > 5 µm) and a pore system dominated by dead ends. Irreducible water saturation increases steadily from RRTI (Swir ~ 5%) to RRTIV (Swir > 20%). Additionally, the gas–water two-phase co-flowing characteristics decrease significantly from RRTI to RRTIV facies. The gaseous hydrocarbons will be able to flow in RRTI facies even at water saturation values exceeding 90%. On the other side, the gas will not be able to displace water in RRTIV sandstones even at water saturation values as low as 40%. Similarly, the influence of confining pressure on porosity and permeability destruction significantly increases from RRTI to RRTIV. Accordingly, RRTI facies are the best reservoir targets and have high potentiality for primary porosity preservation.

Artificial Intelligence Used to Evaluate 23 Single-Well Surfactant-Soak Treatments

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (03) ◽  
pp. 209-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Weiss ◽  
Xina Xie ◽  
Jason Weiss ◽  
Vishu Subramanian ◽  
Archie R. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Field Test ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Wettability Alteration ◽  
Single Well ◽  
Phosphoria Formation

Summary Following a series of laboratory imbibition-cell experiments, field tests were conducted to determine the effectiveness of surfactant-soak treatments as a single-well enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) technique. The tests were conducted in the dolomite interval of the Phosphoria formation. Artificial intelligence was applied to analyze the mixed test results. The analysis suggested that the gamma ray log can be used to predict results and that a minimum amount of surfactant is required to improve production. Introduction Water imbibition as a recovery process was tested in the Spraberry field during the 1950s (Elkins and Skov 1962, 1963). This early work was followed by a test of the process in Cottonwood Creek field during the 1960s (Willingham and McCaleb 1967). Around the time of these field tests, a patent was issued (Graham et al. 1957) that suggested surfactants could enhance the imbibition recovery process. A later patent (Stone et al. 1970) implied that a Spraberry field test was designed, but results were not reported. Forty years later, researchers (Spindler et al. 2000; Standnes and Austad 2000; Chen et al. 2000) returned to the subject of wettability alteration. One description of a field test of the surfactant-soak process has been published (Chen et al. 2000). A great deal of effort was expended during the 1970s and 1980s in designing systems and field testing surfactant fluids with ultralow interfacial tensions (IFTs) as a flooding EOR process. Maintaining the integrity of the chemical slug from the injection well to the producing wells was fraught with problems. However, slug-integrity problems are diminished in single-well EOR applications. Recent laboratory work focused on the easily performed and interpreted imbibition-cell experiments. These experiments (with and without surfactants) and the reported success of pressure pulsing at Cottonwood Creek prompted further laboratory testing with reservoir rock and fluids (Xie 2002; Xie et al. 2004). This recent work indicated that a nonionic surfactant could substantially increase recovery from Phosphoria wells in the Cottonwood Creek field. The shallow-shelf carbonate reservoir is characterized as a steeply dipping, algal reef of the Phosphoria formation producing sour, 27°API, black oil from a dolomitized interval. Thickness of the dolomite varies from 20 to 100 ft. The average porosity is ~10% with ~1.0 md matrix permeability. The connate-water saturation is ~10%. Pan American Petroleum reported the low-pressure and low-temperature reservoir to be naturally fractured and oil-wet (Willingham and McCaleb 1967). Their description was based on laboratory core studies. Tests performed in the 1990s generated U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) wettability values of -0.1, -0.12, -0.18, and -0.26. The Cottonwood Creek field is located in the Bighorn basin of Wyoming, as shown in Fig. 1, and is operated by Continental Resources Inc.

scholarly journals Integrated rock typing and pore facies analyses in a heterogeneous carbonate for saturation height modelling, a case study from Fahliyan Formation, the Persian Gulf

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1577-1595
Author(s):  
Rasoul Ranjbar-Karami ◽  
Parisa Tavoosi Iraj ◽  
Hamzeh Mehrabi
Keyword(s):  
Capillary Pressure ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Rock Typing ◽  
Pore Types ◽  
Fitting Parameters

AbstractKnowledge of initial fluids saturation has great importance in hydrocarbon reservoir analysis and modelling. Distribution of initial water saturation (Swi) in 3D models dictates the original oil in place (STOIIP), which consequently influences reserve estimation and dynamic modelling. Calculation of initial water saturation in heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs always is a challenging task, because these reservoirs have complex depositional and diagenetic history with a complex pore network. This paper aims to model the initial water saturation in a pore facies framework, in a heterogeneous carbonate reservoir. Petrographic studies were accomplished to define depositional facies, diagenetic features and pore types. Accordingly, isolated pores are dominant in the upper parts, while the lower intervals contain more interconnected interparticle pore types. Generally, in the upper and middle parts of the reservoir, diagenetic alterations such as cementation and compaction decreased the primary reservoir potential. However, in the lower interval, which mainly includes high-energy shoal facies, high reservoir quality was formed by primary interparticle pores and secondary dissolution moulds and vugs. Using huge number of primary drainage mercury injection capillary pressure tests, we evaluate the ability of FZI, r35Winland, r35Pittman, FZI* and Lucia’s petrophysical classes in definition of rock types. Results show that recently introduced rock typing method is an efficient way to classify samples into petrophysical rock types with same pore characteristics. Moreover, as in this study MICP data were available from every one meter of reservoir interval, results show that using FZI* method much more representative sample can be selected for SCAL laboratory tests, in case of limitation in number of SCAL tests samples. Integration of petrographic analyses with routine (RCAL) and special (SCAL) core data resulted in recognition of four pore facies in the studied reservoir. Finally, in order to model initial water saturation, capillary pressure data were averaged in each pore facies which was defined by FZI* method and using a nonlinear curve fitting approach, fitting parameters (M and C) were extracted. Finally, relationship between fitting parameters and porosity in core samples was used to model initial water saturation in wells and between wells. As permeability prediction and reservoir rock typing are challenging tasks, findings of this study help to model initial water saturation using log-derived porosity.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation Modeling of Carbonate Reservoir Based on Rock Type

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peiqing Lian ◽  
Cuiyu Ma ◽  
Bingyu Ji ◽  
Taizhong Duan ◽  
Xuequn Tan
Keyword(s):  
History Matching ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Rock Type ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Column Height ◽  
Fluid Distribution ◽  
Type Model ◽  
Type Curves ◽  
Rock Types

There are many types of carbonate reservoir rock spaces with complex shapes, and their primary pore structure changes dramatically. In order to describe the heterogeneity of K carbonate reservoir, equations of porosity, permeability and pore throat radii under different mercury injection saturations are fitted, and it shows that 30% is the best percentile. R30 method is presented for rock typing, and six rock types are divided according to R30 value of plugs. The porosity-permeability relationship is established for each rock type, and their relevant flow characteristics of each rock type have been studied. Logs are utilized to predict rock types of noncored wells, and a three-dimensional (3D) rock type model has been established based on the well rock type curves and the sedimentary facies constraint. Based on the relationship between J function and water saturation, the formula of water saturation, porosity, permeability, and oil column height can be obtained by multiple regressions for each rock type. Then, the water saturation is calculated for each grid, and a 3D water saturation model is established. The model can reflect the formation heterogeneity and the fluid distribution, and its accuracy is verified by the history matching.

scholarly journals A Practical Method to Calculate and Model the Petrophysical Properties of Reservoir Rock Using Petrel Software: A case Study from Iraq

2020 ◽  
pp. 2640-2650
Author(s):  
Sarah Taboor Wali ◽  
Hussain Ali Baqer
Keyword(s):  
Water Saturation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Sequential Gaussian Simulation ◽  
Geological Model ◽  
Petrophysical Properties ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Software Models ◽  
Average Water

Nasiriyah oilfield is located in the southern part of Iraq. It represents one of the promising oilfields. Mishrif Formation is considered as the main oil-bearing carbonate reservoir in Nasiriyah oilfield, containing heavy oil (API 25o(. The study aimed to calculate and model the petrophysical properties and build a three dimensional geological model for Mishrif Formation, thus estimating the oil reserve accurately and detecting the optimum locations for hydrocarbon production. Fourteen vertical oil wells were adopted for constructing the structural and petrophysical models. The available well logs data, including density, neutron, sonic, gamma ray, self-potential, caliper and resistivity logs were used to calculate the petrophysical properties. The interpretations and environmental corrections of these logs were performed by applying Techlog 2015 software. According to the petrophysical properties analysis, Mishrif Formation was divided into five units (Mishrif Top, MA, shale bed, MB1 and MB2).    A three-dimensional geological model, which represents an entrance for the simulation process to predict reservoir behavior under different hydrocarbon recovery scenarios, was carried out by employing Petrel 2016 software. Models for reservoir characteristics (porosity, permeability, net to gross NTG and water saturation) were created using the algorithm of Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGS), while the variogram analysis was utilized as an aid to distribute petrophysical properties among the wells.      The process showed that the main reservoir unit of Mishrif Formation is MB1 with a high average porosity of 20.88% and a low average water saturation of 16.9%. MB2 unit has good reservoir properties characterized by a high average water saturation of 96.25%, while MA was interpreted as a water-bearing unit. The impermeable shale bed unit is intercalated between MA and MB1 units with a thickness of 5-18 m, whereas Mishrif top was interpreted as a cap unit. The study outcomes demonstrated that the distribution accuracy of the petrophysical properties has a significant impact on the constructed geological model which provided a better understanding of the study area’s geological construction. Thus, the estimated reserve h was calculated to be about 7945 MSTB. This can support future reservoir development plans and performance predictions. 

scholarly journals Carbonate reservoir rock typing algorithm based on integrated approach (IRT)

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 62-70
Author(s):  
Mariia A. Kuntsevich ◽  
Sergey V. Kuznetsov ◽  
Igor V. Perevozkin
Keyword(s):  
Water Saturation ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Static Properties ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Optimal Method ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Rock Typing

The goal of carbonate rock typing is a realistic distribution of well data in a 3D model and the distribution of the corresponding rock types, on which the volume of hydrocarbon reserves and the dynamic characteristics of the flow will depend. Common rock typing approaches for carbonate rocks are based on texture, pore classification, electrofacies, or flow unit localization (FZI) and are often misleading because they based on sedimentation processes or mathematical justification. As a result, the identified rock types may poorly reflect the real distribution of reservoir rock characteristics. Materials and methods. The approach described in the work allows to eliminate such effects by identifying integrated rock types that control the static properties and dynamic behavior of the reservoir, while optimally linking with geological characteristics (diagenetic transformations, sedimentation features, as well as their union effect) and petrophysical characteristics (reservoir properties, relationship between the porosity and permeability, water saturation, radius of pore channels and others). The integrated algorithm consists of 8 steps, allowing the output to obtain rock-types in the maximum possible way connecting together all the characteristics of the rock, available initial information. The first test in the Middle East field confirmed the applicability of this technique. Results. The result of the work was the creation of a software product (certificate of state registration of the computer program “Lucia”, registration number 2021612075 dated 02/11/2021), which allows automating the process of identifying rock types in order to quickly select the most optimal method, as well as the possibility of their integration. As part of the product, machine learning technologies were introduced to predict rock types based on well logs in intervals not covered by coring studies, as well as in wells in which there is no coring.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Petrophysical Properties Using Well Logs of Yamama Formation in Abu Amood Oil Field, Southern Iraq

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (1E) ◽  
pp. 67-77
Author(s):  
Buraq Adnan Al-Baldawi
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Bulk Water ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Well Logs ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Petrophysical Properties ◽  
Reservoir Properties

The petrophysical analysis is very important to understand the factors controlling the reservoir quality and production wells. In the current study, the petrophysical evaluation was accomplished to hydrocarbon assessment based on well log data of four wells of Early Cretaceous carbonate reservoir Yamama Formation in Abu-Amood oil field in the southern part of Iraq. The available well logs such as sonic, density, neutron, gamma ray, SP, and resistivity logs for wells AAm-1, AAm-2, AAm-3, and AAm-5 were used to delineate the reservoir characteristics of the Yamama Formation. Lithologic and mineralogic studies were performed using porosity logs combination cross plots such as density vs. neutron cross plot and M-N mineralogy plot. These cross plots show that the Yamama Formation consists mainly of limestone and the essential mineral components are dominantly calcite with small amounts of dolomite. The petrophysical characteristics such as porosity, water and hydrocarbon saturation and bulk water volume were determined and interpreted using Techlog software to carried out and building the full computer processed interpretation for reservoir properties. Based on the petrophysical properties of studied wells, the Yamama Formation is divided into six units; (YB-1, YB-2, YB-3, YC-1, YC-2 and YC-3) separated by dense non porous units (Barrier beds). The units (YB-1, YB-2, YC-2 and YC-3) represent the most important reservoir units and oil-bearing zones because these reservoir units are characterized by good petrophysical properties due to high porosity and low to moderate water saturation. The other units are not reservoirs and not oil-bearing units due to low porosity and high-water saturation.

A New Approach for Building Composite Cores for Corefloods in Complex Carbonate Rocks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yildiray Cinar ◽  
Ahmed Zayer ◽  
Naseem Dawood ◽  
Dimitris Krinis
Keyword(s):  
Pore Size Distribution ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Capillary Pressure ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Pore Structures ◽  
Irreducible Water Saturation ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Carbonate reservoir rocks are composed of complex pore structures and networks, forming a wide range of sedimentary facies. Considering this complexity, we present a novel approach for a better selection of coreflood composites. In this approach, reservoir plugs undergo a thorough filtration process by completing several lab tests before they get classified into reservoir rock types. Those tests include conventional core analysis (CCA), liquid permeability, plug computed tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), end-trim mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thin-section analysis (TS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and drainage capillary pressure (Pc). We recommend starting with a large pool of plugs and narrowing down the selection as they complete different stages of the screening process. The CT scans help to exclude plugs exhibiting composite-like behavior or containing vugs and fractures that potentially influence coreflood results. After that, the plugs are categorized into separate groups representing the available reservoir rock types. Then, we look into each rock type and determine whether the selected plugs share similar pore-structures, rock texture, and mineral content. The end-trim MICP is usually helpful in clustering plugs having similar pore-throat size distributions. Nevertheless, it also poses a challenge because it may not represent the whole plug, especially for heterogeneous carbonates. In such a case, we recommend harnessing the NMR capabilities to verify the pore-size distribution. After pore-size distribution verification, plugs are further screened for textural and mineral similarity using the petrographic data (XRD, TS, and SEM). Finally, we evaluate the similarity of brine permeability (Kb), irreducible water saturation (Swir) from Pc, and effective oil permeability data at Swir (Koe, after wettability restoration for unpreserved plugs) before finalizing the composite selection. The paper demonstrates significant aspects of applying the proposed approach to carbonate reservoir rock samples. It integrates geology, petrophysics, and reservoir engineering elements when deciding the best possible composite for coreflood experiments. By practicing this workflow, we also observe considerable differences in rock types depending on the data source, suggesting that careful use of end-trim data for carbonates is advisable compared to more representative full-plug MICP and NMR test results. In addition, we generally observe that Kb and Koe are usually lower than the Klinkenberg permeability with a varying degree that is plug-specific, highlighting the benefit of incorporating these measurements as additional criteria in coreflood composite selection for carbonate reservoirs.

scholarly journals Analysis of the efficiency of models of transition zones to determine oil-saturation factors and position of contact of hydrocarbons with water

2020 ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
G. E. Stroyanetskaya
Keyword(s):  
Capillary Pressure ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Residual Water ◽  
Oil Saturation ◽  
Transition Zones ◽  
The Core ◽  
Geophysical Parameter ◽  
Saturation Factor ◽  
Geophysical Information

The article is devoted to the usage of models of transition zones in the interpretation of geological and geophysical information. These models are graphs of the dependences of oil-saturation factors of the collectors on their height above the level with zero capillary pressure, taking into account the geological and geophysical parameter. These models are not recommended for estimating oilsaturation factors of collectors in the transition zone. The height of occurrence of the collector above the level of zero capillary pressure can be estimated from model of the transition zone that take into account the values of the coefficients of residual water saturation factor of the collectors, but only when the model of the transition zone is confirmed by data capillarimetry studies on the core.

Confirmation of Water Saturation and Rock Fluid Properties Across the Transition Zone for a Major Carbonate Reservoir

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr Mohamed Serry ◽  
Willy Tan ◽  
Raghu Ramamoorthy ◽  
Sultan Budebes ◽  
Mariam Al-Marzouqi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Fluid Properties
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