scholarly journals A practical method for planning large number of horizontal wells with a reservoir model for a field development plan

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 17-32
Author(s):  
Guido Fava ◽  
Việt Anh Đinh
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
Regular Pattern ◽  
Production Forecast ◽  
Advanced Technique ◽  
Large Reservoir ◽  
Field Development

The most advanced technique to evaluate different solutions proposed for a field development plan consists of building a numerical model to simulate the production performance of each alternative. Fields covering hundreds of square kilometres frequently require a large number of wells. There are studies and software concerning optimal planning of vertical wells for the development of a field. However, only few studies cover planning of a large number of horizontal wells seeking full population on a regular pattern. One of the criteria for horizontal well planning is selecting the well positions that have the best reservoir properties and certain standoffs from oil/water contact. The wells are then ranked according to their performances. Other criteria include the geometry and spacing of the wells. Placing hundreds of well individually according to these criteria is highly time consuming and can become impossible under time restraints. A method for planning a large number of horizontal wells in a regular pattern in a simulation model significantly reduces the time required for a reservoir production forecast using simulation software. The proposed method is implemented by a computer script and takes into account not only the aforementioned criteria, but also new well requirements concerning existing wells, development area boundaries, and reservoir geological structure features. Some of the conclusions drawn from a study on this method are (1) the new method saves a significant amount of working hours and avoids human errors, especially when many development scenarios need to be considered; (2) a large reservoir with hundreds of wells may have infinite possible solutions, and this approach has the aim of giving the most significant one; and (3) a horizontal well planning module would be a useful tool for commercial simulation software to ease engineers' tasks.

Conceptual Field Development Plan for X Field

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khadijah Ibrahim ◽  
Petrus Nzerem ◽  
Ayuba Salihu ◽  
Ikechukwu Okafor ◽  
Oluwaseun Alonge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Capital Expenditure ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
Recovery Factor ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Production Forecast ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Water Cut

Abstract The development plan of the new oil field discovered in a remote offshore environment, Niger Delta, Nigeria was evaluated. As the oil in place is uncertain, a probabilistic approach was used to estimate the STOOIP using the low, mid, and high cases. The STOOIP for these cases were 95 MMSTB, 145 MMSTB and 300 MMSTB which are the potential amount of oil in the reservoir. Rock and fluid properties were determined using PVT sample and then matched to the Standing correlations with an RMS of 4.93%. The performance of the different well models were analyzed, and sensitivities were run to provide detailed information to reduce the uncertainties of the parameters. Furthermore, production forecast was done for the field for the different STOOIP using the predicted number of producer and injector wells. The timing of the wells was accurately allocated to provide information for the drillers to work on the wells. From the production forecast, the different STOOIP cases had a water cut ranging from 68-73% at the end of the 15-year field life. The recoverable oil estimate was accounted for 33.25 MMSTB for 95 MMSTB (low), 55.1 MMSTB for 145 MMSTB (mid) and 135 MMSTB for 300 MMSTB (high) at 35%, 38% and 45% recovery factor. Based on the proposed development plan, the base model is recommended for further implementation as the recovery factor is 38% with an estimate of 55.1 MMSTB. The platform will have 6 producers and 2 injectors. The quantity of oil produced is estimated at 15000 stbo/day which will require a separator that has the capacity of hold a liquid rate of about 20000 stb/day. The developmental wells are subsequently increased to achieve a water cut of 90-95% with more recoverable oil within the 15-year field life. This developmental plan is also cost effective as drilling more wells means more capital expenditure.

scholarly journals Effect of Geological Heterogeneity on the Production Performance of a Multifractured Horizontal Well in Tight Gas Reservoirs

Lithosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (Special 1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Peng ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
Yuxue Zhang ◽  
Yongjie Han ◽  
Dan Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Tight Gas ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Tight Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Reservoir Permeability ◽  
Half Length

Abstract Multifractured horizontal wells are widely used in the development of tight gas reservoirs to improve the gas production and the ultimate reservoir recovery. Based on the heterogeneity characteristics of the tight gas reservoir, the homogeneous scheme and four typical heterogeneous schemes were established to simulate the production of a multifractured horizontal well. The seepage characteristics and production performance of different schemes were compared and analyzed in detail by the analysis of streamline distribution, pressure distribution, and production data. In addition, the effects of reservoir permeability level, length of horizontal well, and fracture half-length on the gas reservoir recovery were discussed. Results show that the reservoir permeability of the unfractured areas, which are located at both ends of the multifractured horizontal well, determines the seepage ability of the reservoir matrix, showing a significant impact on the long-term gas production. High reservoir permeability level, long horizontal well length, and long fracture half-length can mitigate the negative influence of heterogeneity on the gas production. Our research can provide some guidance for the layout of multifractured horizontal wells and fracturing design in heterogeneous tight gas reservoirs.

scholarly journals Carbonate Platform Reef-Shoal Reservoir Architecture Study and Characteristic Evaluation: A Case of S Field in Turkmenistan

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Hao Wang ◽  
Qiumei Zhou ◽  
Wen Zhou ◽  
Yinde Zhang ◽  
Jianhua He
Keyword(s):  
Carbonate Platform ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Physical Property ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Carbonate Sediments ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Large Reservoir ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Well Pattern ◽  
Sedimentary Architecture

Carbonate sediments are susceptible to many factors, such as paleostructure, diagenesis, and strong microbial alteration; as such, their sedimentary architecture still calls for further research. In this study, the reef and shoal bodies in the XVm and XVp layers of the Middle–Upper Jurassic Karlov-Oxfordian in the S gas field were used as the object, and the architecture of the reef-shoal facies was studied. Based on the idea of “vertical grading and horizontal boundary”, the interface characteristics of the 6th to 4th levels of reef-shoal bodies in the study area were summarized, as were four ways to determine the boundaries of reef-shoal bodies. Based on the dense well network, we quantitatively described the scale of each small layer of single reef shoal body through the point-line-surface method and established a geological database of the reef shoal bodies in the study area. In addition, we established the width and thickness of the reef shoal body and the empirical formula for relationships. The study of morphological characteristics of reef-shoal bodies and the degree of overlap revealed six architecture models of reef-shoal bodies. The vertical and lateral superimposed reefs were obtained by evaluating the reservoir space, pore throat characteristics, and physical property characteristics corresponding to various architecture models. The vertical and lateral superimposed shoals corresponded to large reservoir thicknesses. The petrophysical properties were good, and we concluded that the reef-shoal superimposed area was a sweet spot for reservoir development. We applied the research results of reef-shoal architecture reservoir characteristics to gas field development, and therefore improved well pattern deployment in the reef-shoal superimposed area. By comparing the test results of newly deployed horizontal wells with adjacent vertical wells, we confirmed that the selection of horizontal wells was better for gas field development. This study on the architecture of reef-shoal facies could guide the study of carbonate rock architecture.

High Accuracy Estimation of Hydraulic Fracture Geometry Using Crosswell Electromagnetics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubham Mishra ◽  
Vinil Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracture ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Calibration Data ◽  
Formation Water ◽  
Fracturing Fluid ◽  
Production Forecast ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Well Completion

Abstract Unconventional resources, which are typically characterized by poor porosity and permeability are being economically developed only after the introduction of hydraulic fracturing (HF) technology, which is required to stimulate the hydrocarbon flow from these impermeable/tight reservoir rocks. Since 1960, HF has been extensively used in the industry. HF is the process of (1) injecting viscous gel fluids through the wellbore into the subterranean hydrocarbon formation, at high pressures sufficient enough to exceed tensile strength of the rock and hydraulically induce cracks/fractures (2) followed by injecting proppant-laden fluid into the open fractures and packing up the fracture with proppant pack, after the injected fluid leaks off into formation. The resultant proppant pack keeps the induced fracture propped open and thus creates a highly conductive flow path for the hydrocarbon to flow from the far-field subterranean formation into the wellbore. Most the modern wells in unconventional reservoirs are horizontal/near-horizontal wells that are completed with large multiple HF treatments across the entire length of the horizontal wellbore (lateral), to increase the reservoir contact per well. Productivity of these wells is dictated by the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), which is dependent on the number of fractures and conductive hydraulic fracture surface area of each fracture that is propped open. Therefore, estimation of the hydraulic fracture geometry (HFG) dimensions has become very critical for any unconventional field development. Key dimensions are hydraulic fracture length, height, and orientation, which are required to assess the optimum configuration of fracturing, well completion, and reservoir management strategy to achieve maximum production. Designs can be assessed based on HFG observations, and infill well trajectories, spacing, etc. can be planned for further field development. This workflow proposes a method to estimate and model all or at least two parameters of HFG in predominantly horizontal or nearly horizontal wells by use of interwell electromagnetic recordings. The foundation of this workflow is the difference in salinity, or more precisely resistivity, of the fracturing fluid and the resident fluid (hydrocarbon or formation water). The fracturing fluid is usually significantly less resistive than the hydrocarbon that is the dominant resident fluid where fracturing is usually conducted, or less resistive than the formation water in case the HF occurs in high water saturation regions. Therefore, the resistivity contrast between the two fluids will demarcate the boundary of hydraulic fractures and thus help in precisely modeling some or all parameters of HFG. The interwell recordings can be interpreted along a 2D plane between the two wells, one of them bearing the transmitter and the other with the receiver. The interpretations along a 2D plane can be used to calibrate a 3D unstructured HF model, thereby introducing a reliable calibration input that did not exist before. There can be multiple such 2D planes as more than one well can have a receiver, and, in that case, the 3D HF model has more calibration data and is even more precise. The reason this workflow significantly improves precision in HFG estimation and modeling is that it provides the ability to demarcate only the open portion of the HF and not the entire volume where pumping fluid entered, which would include parts that closed too quickly to contribute to the production from the well. Today, the industry, by its best methods, can only see the entire rock volume that broke due to fracturing, although significant parts of that broken volume might not be contributing to the production and thus are irrelevant in the 3D models upon which important decisions such as production forecast and project economics are based.

Connecting the Dots: Multistage Fracturing in Horizontal Wells with Multilayered Reservoirs - Lessons Learned

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al Shueili ◽  
Musallam Jaboob ◽  
Hussain Al Salmi
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Learning Curve ◽  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Fracture Initiation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Tight Gas ◽  
Fracture Height

Abstract Efficient multistage hydraulic fracturing in horizontal wells in tight-gas formations with multilayered and laminated reservoirs is a very challenging subject matter; due to formation structure, required well trajectory, and the ability to establish a conductive and permanent connection between all the layers. BP Oman had initiated the technical journey to deliver an effective horizontal well multistage frac design through learnings obtained during three key pilot horizontal wells. Since these initial wells, additional candidates have been drilled and stimulated, resulting in further advancement of the learning curve. Many aspects will be covered in this paper, that will describe how to facilitate the most effective hydraulic fracture placement and production performance, under these laminated conditions. These approaches will include the completion and perforation selection, fracture initiation zone selection, fracture height consideration, frac fluid type and design. The paper will go on to describe a range of different surveillance options, including clean-up and performance surveillance as well as number of other factors. The experiences that have been gained provide valuable insight and learning about how to approach a multistage fracturing horizontal well program in this kind of depositional environment. Additionally, how these lessons can potentially be subsequently adapted and applied to access resources in the more challenging and higher risk areas of the field. For example, this paper will present direct comparison of over and under-displaced stages; differences in execution and production for cased hole and open hole completions; and many other variables that always under discussion for hydraulic fracturing in horizontal wells. This paper describes in detail the results of many multistage fracturing trials by BP Oman in horizontal wells drilled in challenging multilayered and laminated tight-gas reservoirs. These findings may help to cut short learning curve in similar reservoirs in the Middle East Region and elsewhere.

scholarly journals Semi-Analytical Rate Decline Solutions for a Refractured Horizontal Well Intercepted by Multiple Reorientation Fractures with Fracture Face Damage in an Anisotropic Tight Reservoir

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (22) ◽  
pp. 7482
Author(s):  
Mingxian Wang ◽  
Xiangji Dou ◽  
Ruiqing Ming ◽  
Weiqiang Li ◽  
Wenqi Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Fracture Face ◽  
Well Productivity ◽  
Fracture Conductivity ◽  
Tight Reservoir ◽  
Tight Reservoirs ◽  
Permeability Anisotropy ◽  
Type Rate

Refracturing treatment is an economical way to improve the productivity of poorly or damaged fractured horizontal wells in tight reservoirs. Fracture reorientation and fracture face damage may occur during refracturing treatment. At present, there is still no report on the rate decline solution for refractured horizontal wells in tight reservoirs. In this work, by taking a semi-analytical method, traditional rate decline and Blasingame-type rate decline solutions were derived for a refractured horizontal well intercepted by multiple reorientation fractures with fracture face damage in an anisotropic tight reservoir. The accuracy and reliability of the traditional rate decline solution were verified and validated by comparing it with a classic case in the literature and a numerical simulation case. The effects of fracture reorientation and fracture face damage on the rate decline were investigated in depth. These investigations demonstrate that fracture face damage is not conducive to increasing well productivity during the early flow period and there is an optimal matching relationship between the principal fracture section angle and permeability anisotropy, particularly for the reservoirs with strong permeability anisotropy. The fracture length ratio and fracture spacing have a weak effect on the production rate and cumulative production while the fracture number shows a strong influence on the rate decline. Furthermore, multifactor sensitivity analysis indicates that fracture conductivity has a more sensitive effect on well productivity than fracture face damage, implying the importance of improving fracture conductivity. Finally, a series of Blasingame-type rate decline curves were presented, and type curve fitting and parameter estimations for a field case were conducted too. This work deepens our understanding of the production performance of refractured horizontal wells, which helps to identify reorientation fracture properties and evaluate post-fracturing performance.

Using DNA-Logging to Determine Inflow Profile in Horizontal Wells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arsenii Stanislavovich Posdyshev ◽  
Pavel Vladimirovich Shelyakin ◽  
Nurislam Maratovich Shaikhutdinov ◽  
Aleksey Alekseevich Popov ◽  
Maria Dmitrievna Logacheva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Saturation Temperature ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Inflow Profile

Abstract The purpose of this work is to adapt and apply Next Generation Sequencing methods in oil and gas well field studies. Relatively recent NGS methods provide a description of a geological formation by analyzing millions of DNA sequences and represent an entirely new way to obtain information about oil and gas reservoirs and the composition of their fluids, which could significantly change the approach to exploration and field development. We present the results of pilot work to determine the inflow profile in a horizontal well based on DNA markers. The technology is based on the comparison of bacterial DNA from drill cuttings obtained while drilling with DNA from microorganisms of fluids obtained during production at the wellhead. Because of their high selectivity, individual microbes live only under certain conditions (salinity, oil saturation, temperature) and can be used as unique natural biomarkers. The comparison of DNA samples of drilling cutting and produced fluid allows for identification of the segment of the horizontal well from which the main flow comes, as well as identifying the type of incoming fluid (water, oil, gas) without stopping the operation process and without conducting expensive downhole operations. As a result of these studies, the microbial communities of the oil-bearing sands and formation fluids of the Cretaceous deposits (group BS) in Western Siberia were identified, and the relative numerical ratio of microorganisms in the formations was determined. It was shown that the microbiome diversity changes with depth, and depends on the lithological composition, and sequencing data obtained from cuttings samples correlate with data from wellhead samples of produced fluid. Thus, the practical applicability of DNA sequencing for solving field problems in oil and gas field development, in particular for determining the inflow profile in horizontal wells, was confirmed.

60 Years Field Performance Data-Driven Analytics to Generate Updated Waterflood Field Development Plan in a North Kuwait Giant Carbonate Reservoir

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basel AL-Otaibi ◽  
Issa Abu Shiekah ◽  
Manish Kumar Jha ◽  
Gerbert de Bruijn ◽  
Peter Male ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Water Injection ◽  
Oil Production ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Carbonate Reservoir ◽  
Development Plan ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Water Flooding ◽  
Field Development ◽  
The Impact

Abstract After 40 years of depletion drive, a mature, giant and multi-layer carbonate reservoir is developed through waterflooding. Oil production, sustained through infill drilling and new development patterns, is often associated with increasingly higher water production compared to earlier development phases. A field re-development plan has been established to alleviate the impact of reservoir heterogeneities on oil recovery, driven by the analysis of the historical performance of production and injection of a range of well types. The field is developed through historical opportunistic development concepts utilizing evolving technology trends. Therefore, the field has initially wide spacing vertical waterflooding patterns followed by horizontal wells, subjected to seawater or produced water injection, applying a range of wells placement or completion technologies and different water injection operating strategies. Systematic categorization, grouping and analyzing of a rich data set of wells performance have been complemented and integrated with insights from coarse full field and conceptual sector dynamic modeling activities. This workflow efficiently paved the way to optimize the field development aiming for increased oil recovery and cost saving opportunities. Integrated analysis of evolving historical development decisions revealed and ranked the primary subsurface and operational drivers behind the limited sweep efficiency and increased watercut. This helped mapping the impact of fundamental subsurface attributes from well placement, completion, or water injection strategies. Excellent vertical wells performance during the primary depletion and the early stage of water flooding was slowly outperformed by a more sustainable horizontal well production and injection strategy. This is consistent with a conceptual model in which the reservoir is dominated by extensive high conductive features that contributed in the early life of the field to good oil production before becoming the primary source of premature water breakthrough after a limited fraction of pore volume water was injected. The next level of analysis provided actual field evidence to support informed decisions to optimize the front runner horizontal wells development concept to cover wells length, orientation, vertical placement in the stratigraphy, spacing, pattern strategy and completion design. The findings enabled delivering updated field development plan covering the field life cycle to sustain and increase field oil production through adding ~ 200 additional wells and introducing more structured water flooding patterns in addition to establishing improved wells reservoir management practices. This integrated study manifests the power, efficiency and value from data driven analysis to capture lessons learned from evolving wells and development concepts applied in a complex brown field over six decades. The workflow enabled the delivery of an updated field development plan and production forecasts within a year through utilizing data analytics to compensate for the recognized limitations of subsurface models in addition to providing input to steer the more time-consuming modeling activities.

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