Due to the coexistence of multiple types of reservoir bodies and widely distributed aquifer support in karst carbonate reservoirs, it remains a great challenge to understand the reservoir flow dynamics based on traditional capacitance–resistance (CRM) models and Darcy’s percolation theory. To solve this issue, an improved injector–producer-pair-based CRM model coupling the effect of active aquifer support was first developed and combined with the newly-developed Stochastic Simplex Approximate Gradient (StoSAG) optimization algorithm for accurate inter-well connectivity estimation in a waterflood operation. The improved CRM–StoSAG workflow was further applied for real-time production optimization to find the optimal water injection rate at each control step by maximizing the net present value of production. The case study conducted for a typical karst reservoir indicated that the proposed workflow can provide good insight into complex multi-phase flow behaviors in karst carbonate reservoirs. Low connectivity coefficient and time delay constant most likely refer to active aquifer support through a high-permeable flow channel. Moreover, the injector–producer pair may be interconnected by complex fissure zones when both the connectivity coefficient and time delay constant are relatively large.
Using NMR, Core Analysis, and Well Logging Data to Predict Permeability of Carbonate Reservoirs: a Case Study