.

SPE
SF% 22357 Defining Data Requirements for a Simulation Study
A,K. Dandana, F!.E3. Alston, and FtW. Braun,Texaco Inc. SPE Members

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Copyright 1992, Soclery of Pts!roleum2n@neers, Inc. This paper was prepared for presmtahon a! the SPE international Meeting on petroleum En9meerin9 held in

g~lima china, ?~-zp MarCh 1982.

This paper was aelectod Ior presentationby an SPE Program Committee followingrovlew of informationcontained in an absfracl eubmittad by the author(a).C4nlents o! the paper, aa presented, have not been revmwed by Ihe Society of Palroleum Engmaere.and are subject to correctionby the author(a).The ma!erial, as presented, does not necessarily raflect any positionof lhe Socialy of PatrolaumEngineers, Ita officers,or members. Papera presented at SPE mealings are subjectto publicationredw~by EditorialCommiltaes of the -society ofPetroleumEngineerk.Permsaion tocoPyia rastnctadtoan abstractof notmorethan 200 worde.Ilh.mlra!iona may notbe copied.The abslractalmuldcontainconepicuoua acknowledgment of where and by whom the papar is presented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.0. Box 83S8SS, Rlchardaon, TX 75083-2SS5 U.S.A. Telax, 730S89 SPEDAL.

!BSTRAC~ This paper addresses the importanceof timely data collection for proper reservoir management using simulationas a tool. Data requirementsfor blackoil, compositional and steam simulation have been documented. The interplay between various geosciences and the proper translationof data ensure the success of such an effort. INTRODUCTION Reservoirsimulationis being used increasingly as a reservoir management tool, In real life a given reservoircan only be producedonce. A model with a proper geologicaldescriptionfollowedby a history match validation can provide the opportunity to hypothesize production under different scenarios. Sensitivity studies can lead to productio~ of the reservoir in the most optimum way. Coats defines simulation as the use of calculations to predict reservoirperformance,forecastrecovery,or co;~e;l~ econom+cs of alternative recovery methods. describes simulation as a basic extension of we?lknown rzservoir engineering theor~es and concepts, such as Buckley Leverett,or material-balance equations that tvere developedprior to 1960. Simulation is a powerful tool for the followingreasons: (1) It provides the ability to simultaneously incorporate the effects of a number of variables such as gravity, mobility, rock heterogeneity, relativepermeability, capillary pressure, and fluid properties, The process itself forces an engineer to closely examine all pieces of a reservoirand all geologicalinformation. Insight is gained regardingregionalperformancevariationsthat can be incorporatedinto simulation, This in turn provides momentum for better reservoir management.

(3)

After the mstdel is calIhted by proper transIationof reservoirgeologicdata and historic production performance data, sensitivity studies can be initiatedto optimize recovery and economics, Moreover, operational consideration$, such as the timing for water handling facilities or gas compression requirements, can be forecast.

Th$s paper addresses the type of data that is required for black-oil, compositionaland enhanced oil recovery (EOR) simulations. IMPORTANCEOF GOOD RESERVOIRDATA There is a saying: If you think knowledge is expensive,just imagine how expensive ignorancecan bee The temptation will always be to short-cut data acquisitionto reduce costs. It must be remembered that certain types of data, such as core derived information, initial fluid properties, fluid contacts, and initial reservoirpressures,can only be obtained at an early developmentstage, The data obtained plays a vital role in evaluating the developmentoptions of a given reservoir. An equallyvital componentof reservoirsimulationIs translationof this data in the proper form. Some of the examples of this type of knowledgeare translation of two-phase (gas-oil and oil-water)relative permeability data to simulatethree-phase flow.conditions. An additional need is understanding the differencebetweenflash (separator) and differential liberation. (reservoir) and the proper representation of this data into the simulator. Translation of geological models into reservoir flow units or boundarieswith proper size andnumbgr of grid cells will have an impacton simulationgeneratedresults. Two of the most interesting paper$ on model misappl icationhave been writtenby Coats and Staggs et al.

(2)

Referencr?s and illustrations at end of paper. 255

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DEFININGDATA REQUIREMENTSFOR A SIMULATIONSTUDY IN WiEUL 1NDUSTR%

SPE 22357

geologic and reservoirengineeringdata is shown as Figure 1 from Harris. Reservoirs can be broadly classif~ed as clastic (sandstone) or carbonate. It is relatively simpleto descr~be a sandstone reservotr since modern day analogs provide essentialmodels to do so. Figure 2 from Harris and Hewitt7 presents the types of depositional sftes a sand reservoir can provide. They further classify these reservoirs into three types of geometries. Figure 3 descr~bes these layoutsgraphically. Carbonate res~afi;~e8ar& g~erally difficult to describe. in their paper !Distribution and Continuity of~arbonate Reservoirs document such an effovt. Their experience is that these rocks are heterogeneous both in terms of porosityand permeability. The depositionalprocess itself is complex. Dlagenetic changes are very random and can modify rock texture considerably. Generally dolomitizationhas a positive effect on modificationof porosity. Figure 4 from Jardine8et al. shows how porosity in carbonates is altered by various processes. During the exploration stage examination of core cuttingsand analysisof core rock samplesare key to formulatinga depositionalmodel. Reservoirdescription is a continuousprocess. i% the field is developedthe models should be reviewed and modified as necessary. As reservoirperformance data becomes available, the knowledge of reservoir discontinuities such as faults,barriers,boundaries -andstratification becomesmore refined. Another powerful tool that has become available for reservoir description. ~s 3-D seismic data. Recent papers by Plet A RuijtenbergQet al. describe how using 3-D seismic data results in a more complete description of reservoir boundaries and structure. Figure 5 origin~~ly presented in thefr paper IS shown. Robertson documentshow3-D seismiccan add reserves and facilitate cost-effective reservoir management, The number and locationof development wells can be optimizedfor maximum recovery, In many casesolder, two-dimensional seismicdata can be reprocessedto obtain more detailed information. Three-dimensional seismicdata is also being used in monitoring saturation fronts and locating oil previouslybypassed.

The reservoirs most f;quently simulated contain black-oil. The term d Iack-ofl means that oil is treated as a single component with no interaction with the gas or water phase. These models are capable of simulatingperformanceunder depletion, gas or water injection, water influx and oil displacement by movement of gas/oil or oil/water contacts, Compositional models accountfor interaction between various hydrocarbonphases. Such is the case for a rich gas condensateor a volatileoil reservotr, EOR processescan redescribed as: o Miscible - CO and hydrocarbonInjectIon e Chemical - po!ymer and surfactantinjection Q Thermal - steam, hot water and insitu combustion Miscible simulationsusually requireuseofcompositional simulation, whereaschemicalprocessessuch as polymerand surfactantcan,besimulatedbya modified black-oil simulator. Thermal simulatorsare quite complex since in additionto fluid flow,they contain heat flow equations. This paper will describe the data requirementsfor steam injectiononly. DATA RWEMENTS FOR~L CONSTR UCTION

The information required to determine initial distributionof rock propertiesand fluid quantities is common to all types of simulations. Types of data required are describedunder followingcategories: 1) 2) 3) 4) Reservoirdata Fluid properties Field performancedata Enhancedoil recoveryconsiderations

RFSERVOIRDAT/) lD.fW!RAUQ&&!dKM The amount of data availableto describea reservoir is dependent on the developmentstage of the reservoir. At an early stage of reservoirdevelopmentthe informationis availablefrom only a few wells. The following informationsources are utilized: 1) 2) 3) 4) Seismic data Core analysis Well logs Well test data

Tables 1 through4 illustratethe typeof information that can be obtained from these sources. The core analyses,well log and well test data are acquiredfor individual wells, An integration of all the informationhas t~ b~ made in order to describe distribution of properties in areal and vertical dimensions. This task ts called reservoir description. m voir Desc rfotiom

Matrix Reauire mentS The integrationof depositionalmodel construction along with informationlisted in Tables 1 through 4 should provide the necessaryinformationto describe the variationin reservoirrock propertiesalong with discontinuities and stratification. This variation is preparedas contourmaps. Table 5 providesa list of maps that can be prepared to describe the reservoir. Alternate methods are available to describe water saturationand permeability distribution.These will be describedlater on. Other reservoirrelateddata items are:

The task is best accomplished byan interdisciplinary team consisting of geologists,geophysicists,well log analysts,productionand reservoirengineers, An example of how this interplay can occur between

266

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SPE 2235?

A. K. DANOONA,R. B. AISTON, R. S. JOWNSON,R. W. BRAUN relativepermeabilities are a i%nctionaf their respectivesaturations. If three-phaserelativeperineabilities are generatedfrom measured gas-oil and oil-water data, it is best to ensure measurements are made with proper considerationofwettability. @

1) Relative permeabi 1ity 2) Capillary pressure for oil-water and gas-oil system 3) Rock compressibility 4) Vertical permeability 5) Absolute permeabilitydistribution 6 Initialwater saturationdistribution 71 Pay thicknesscut-offs ative Permeability Two-phaserelativepermeabilitysuch as that of oilti gas or oil-watercan remeasured in the laboratory. Both steady-state and unsteady-statemethods are available. Hassler, Hafford, and dispersed feed methodsmeasurerelativepermeabil itiesunder steady.stateflow. Unsteady-staterelative permeability methods take less time. The Buckley Leveretttheory as extended by Welge can be used to compute relative permeabilityratio from the followingrelationship:
f.=~= 1+ ~; ~ ~. (1)

Ensure that relative permeabilities honor the direction of change of wetting,phase saturation. Drainagerefersto a decreasingwettingphase saturationwhile imbibitionrefers to an increasing wettingphase saturation. Injection of dry gas into an ail reservoiris an example of drainage,while injectionof water into an oil reservoiris imbibition. The dependence of waterflood residual oil on trapped gas saturation can be handled.by ,? method suggested by Dandona and Morse. Stonestk probabilitymethod also accounts for such effects.

k.

PV

JBT method, capillarypressureand centrifuge methods are used t;t~;;erm;;;ho~;ativep&~-~j~ilityusing relative unsteady permeabilitycan sometimesbe estimated from field data, as follows: &
k.
& .=+ -

Properanalysisof 3-phaserelativepermeability data is quite critical. The engineershouldtake the time to ensure that the end points of relative pwmeability data as well as the rest of the saturation range are properlyhandledwith regardto rocl(wettability and gas entrapment. CaDil18rvPress~ Capillary pressure is the difference in pressure across the interfacebetweenwetting and non-wetting fluids. For a gas-oil-water study, capillary pressurecurveswill be requiredfor gas-oilandoilwater systems. The data can be acquired in the laboratory by measurements on core plugs. The mercury injectionmethod is rapid but destroys the core. Other laboratory methods are displacement through a porous diaphragmand centrifugalmethods. Another good source of such informationis well log data where swell has penetratedthroughgas-oil and oil-water contacts. Water saturationvs. distance from gas-oil or oil-water contact can be plotted. The distance from the oil-water contact is. then translatableto capillarypressure, ibility Rock Com~ress For normally pressured sands, rock compressibility can be either measured in the laboratoryor derivel$ from published correlationssuch as that of Hall. However, for abnormal pressure sands such as those present in U.S. Gulf Coast, good correlationsare unavailableand it is best to carry out laboratory measurements. Vertical Permeabilty i Verticalpermeabilitycan play a significantrole in some flow situations, such as coning, gravity override, and cross-flow between sand layers. Geologicaldiscontinuities or thin, tight beds such as shalesthat separatevarioushydrocarbon zones are also important to vertical flow. Experience indicates thatbe;~e~n are significant p~n~rmance differences non-permeable 1Ow permeabilitybarriers. Avalue of zero for vertical permeability can isolate a horizontal layer from communication.(l ntheotherhand,a low permeability (e.g., one red.)can permit significant cross-flow 2!57

= (Rp .R*)W2?

Do P. (2)

so= (1 - +?) (~)

Boi

(1 Sw)

In the absence of measured data, two-phaserelative permeabilitiescan be approximate~z from published correlationssuch as those of Corey , The methodology to estimate two-phase relative permeabilityiswell established. Measurf$data for three-phase relative permeability seldom available. Typically simulators are programmed to compute 3-phase relative permeabilityfrom 2-phase gas-oil and oil-water relative permeabilities. The end points for each of the~~,tfurves are honored in p~obabilisticmodel the calculations. Stones described as a set of equations is commonly used. The following precautionsshould be consideredwhen processingthree-phaserelativepermeability data. @ Examine the end oil saturationto the type of displacementsimulated. The mathematical model will not permit oil saturationtogo below that number. Many times relative permeabilityto oil at low oil saturation is critical in predictingreservoirbehaviortowardsthe later part of the reservoirlife. Much of the published literaty~e is based on water-wet rock systems. Stone describeswhy his method is applicableto both water-wetand oil-wet systems. In a water-wetsystem,water and gas relative permeabilityis a dependent function of water and gas saturation only. Similarly, in anoil-wet system, oil and gas

, 4 DEFININGDATA REQUIREMENTSFOR A SIMULATIONSTUDY . Pav ?hi.cltwss CULQ!Y To determine the amount. of oil availablefor depletion, net thickness has to be determined. It iS quite easy to rationalize that non-porous, nonpermeablerock volume such as shale mfxed with sand should not be part of the pay. However,many times a geologist,also appliescriteriawhich are based on porosity-permeability cutoffs as well as on water saturationcutoffs. The rationalebehind this type of criteria is that rock below certain porosity or permeability values will not contribute to the reserves. However, it stands to reason that unless this rock volume is in non-connected porosity,given enough time it should produce. In addition it also provides additionalpressure support to the reservoir. Gas as a fluid can produce through much tighter rock as compared to oil. During the dep7etion phase almost all of the res+?rvoir in continuous pore space should contributetu the recovery, Ho,wever, dur!ng waterfloodor other recoveryprocesses, part of the rock volume in the tight pore space may not contributet.o recovery, In other words, cut-offs are process dependent. Enhanced oil recovery processes requfre additional data. Table 6 provides a l~st of the special reservoir data needed for miscible, chemical and steam simulation. ~LUID PROp~RT1~ We have provided guidelines for translation of geological and rock data for a simulation study. Fluid propertydata acquisition and analyslsare also vital componentsof adata collectionprogram. One of thelgmostcomplete papers on this subject is by Moses. He stressesthe importance of accuratefluid samples: Fluid samplesmust be taken early in the life of the reservoirto obtain samplestruly representative of the reservoir fluid. They should be taken only after a carefully planned well conditioning and testtng program. When the PVT data obtained from these samplesare used, care should be taken to adjust FVFs and gas-oil ratios (GORS)for surface separatorcondition. The proper understanding of the fluid behaviorsystem as a function of pressure and temperature is essential. Figure 7 is a pressure.temperature diagram illustratingthatthe initial fluid system can be broadly categorizedas: :] 3) 4) black-oilsor low shrinkageoils, volatileoils or high shrinkageoils, gas-condensatesystems,and gas systems,both wet and dry gas.

SPE 22357

the 1arge cross-sectional area because of perpendicularto horizontalflow. Vertical permeabilityvalues can remeasured on core plugs and adjusted downward to account for shale lenses. Well test data such as interferenceand pulse tests can also be used to estimate these values. fl~solute Pmmeabil itv Distribution -

Conventional core analysis typically measures porosityand absoluteairpermeabflity. Permeability is one of the most difficultparameterstopredfct In terms of variationand distribution. Well flow test analysisfrom build-upand fall off tests can provide permeab$lity x thickness (kOh) for the interval tested. The advantage of this method is that it measures permeabilitlesand total flow capacity of the system in-situ. It must reemphasized that kh by this method is fn effect kh or k$h as the case may be. A transformof severs!values of koh from test data should be comparedwith core analystscomputed kh. Asignificantlyhigh ratioofkh/kCO,,h indicates presenceofvugs and fractu+esin ?he system. Since the number of cored wells is typicallylimited, the areal distribution must be estimated from porosity-permeabilitytransforms. Core porosity sample data is plotted on a linear scale vs. Regression permeability data on a log scale. analysis is performed to fit a curve through such Since porosity for most wells is also data. availablefrom well logs, this transformcan then be used to calculatepermeabilitydistribution. 17 6 shows such a transform. It is our Figure experiencethat scatter of data is considerableand as such it is difficult to predict values of At times some consideration of permeability, depositional model, rock types and facies reduces degree of scatter. it is recommended that a transform be developed for each major rock unit or facies to reduce scatter, butioq i ~nital Water SaturationOistri Inittal water saturation by layer can either be mapped by averagingwater saturationvaluesover each interval (Table 5) or computed using the J -function.Actual saturat~onvalues are computed From the electric logs based on resistivityvalues. The J function approach is essentiallya correlation that fits initial water saturation values t 18 permeabilityand porosity values, Rose and Bruce describe the method in detail and express the J functionas follows: J(SW) = ~ :;~e
Ow c

(3) [ &

It is noted that a given fluid system goes through several changes as pressure on the system changes during the deplettonphase of reservofr. The reservoirfluid samplefor study is obtainedfrom bottomholesamplingor from recombination of surface separator samples of gas and liquid. Analyses of these separator samples are performed in the laboratoryand the fluids are then recombinedto the desired reservoir fluid composition,producinggasoil ratio (R., SCF/ST13). From this point both the bottomholesample and recombinedsa~le are examined utilizing the identicalprocedure. The following

Porosity and permeabilitydistribution is obtained from the map of each layer. UOW is the interracial tension between oil and water and d is the contact angle betweenthe interfaceseparating the two fluids and the surface of rock. The advantage of this method is the ability to compute water saturation distribution for each model cell or node based on porosity and permeability.

258

. SPE 22357
A.

K, lMNKJONA, R. B. ALSTO1 R, S. JO!lMON,R, W. BRAON

informationwill be obtainablezlfrom the series of tests on the black-oilsamples. 1) Compositionalanalysis 2) ~;nstantmass study saturation ressure ! b) pressure-voume relations c) oil compressibility at variouspressures fluid relativevolume factors d e1 volume percent liquid as a function ofthe pressure

The final type of reservoir system is the wetgas/dry-gas. As indicatedby the~r designation, both of these fluids exist in the gaseous state under reservoirconditions. PVT data would give only the fluid density and gas compressibilityfactor (Z). The only differencewould occur at the surfacewhere the wet-gas system would produce some very light liquid, usually less than 10 STB/flMSCF of produced gas. The increasedinterestin EnhancedOi1 Recovery{EOR) confrontsthe simulationist with new problems in his attempts to successfullypredict actual reservoir performance. Most CO or hydrocarbon miscible floodingoperationswou?~ requirethe followingtests to be performed. 1) Slimtubedisplacem~h~studies a) determine minimum miscibility pressureat the reservoirtemperature b) estimate the average residual oil saturationafter COZ flooding, 2) Singlecontactmiscibilitystudies--pressurevolume relationsfor a series of C02-reservoir fluid mixtures a) bubble point or dew point pressure b) single phase foriyationvolume factor (swel 1ing factor) single phase fluid density :; liquid volumes as a functionof pressure Liquid phase viscosity determination -preferablyon two COz/reservoir fluid mixtures from the bubblepointregion Vaporizationstudies a) determine the optimum vaporization pressure (OVP) at the reservoir temperature b) determine the maximum recovery from vaporizationonly determine c) hydrocarbon distribution through C + on stoc % tank oil ;: produced liquid condensate residualliquid 3. 4. produced vapor (including liquid content as STB/MMSCF)

3) I);fferential vaporizationstudy solutiongas as a functionof pressure b) formationvolume factor as a functionof pressure liquid density as a functionof pressure :] gas gravity as a functionof pressure 4] liquid Equilibrium determination phase viscosity

5) !$parator flash optimizationstudy producinggas-oil ratio as a functionof separatorpressure at room temperature b) oil formationvolumefactorbased on room temperatureflashed oil c) producedgas composition Table 6 is the list of fluid data for a black-oil simulation. As the reservoir fluid properties approach those of a high shrinkageoil/volatileoil system, it becomesmore advantageous to obtain additional laboratoryinformationin order to predictthe fluid behavior during normal reservoir depletion/production. In addition ~~=t~~ analyses performed for the black-oil system, the following test should be performedfor the volatileoil samples. 1) Constant volume depletion study a) equilibriumvapor-phasecomposition b) fractionof well stream produced equilibriumgas deviationfactors :1 liquid-volume shrinkagebelow saturation pressure to abandonmentpressure. The gas-condensate system25 requiresdata that is very similar to that of the volatile oil system. Unlike the black-oil .or volatile oil systems, bottomhole samples should not be u$%d for obtathing gascondensate.fluid samples. Also because this reservoirfluid is gaseous at reservoirconditions, no liquid-phase viscosity or separator flash optimizationtests are performed. After successful separator fluid analyses, the following tests are performed: 1) Modifiedconstantmass study (visualcel1 only) for a series of recombinedgas-oil ratios a) pressure-volume relations b) dew point pressures liquid volumes as a functionof pressure ~~ mixture densities gas phase compressibility factors . f) gas formationvolume factors 2) ~;nstant volume depletion study hydrocarboncomposit~onof the liberated gas b) retrogradeliquid-volume measurements

3)

4)

The aforementionedwish list basically summarizes data required for various types of fluid systems. Proper interpretation of this data fo;o~e;l~mulation study requires additional skills. in his paper describes differences between flash and differential liberation, It is comnonly believed that a given reservoir resembles the differential liberation process In the reservoir and a flash separation occurs in the production lfnes and separator. However, the reported production is always stock tank bbls. Thus, it is essential to combine both flash and differentialliberationsfor FVF and GOR functions for proper re~resentation of data in black-oil simulation. Moses describesthe procedureto do that in his paper. Compositional simulations for rich condensate or volatileoil systems requirerepresentation of fluid behavior using an equation # state such as PengRobinsonzbor Redlich-Kwong. In order to reduce computational time, hydrocarbon componentsare lumped into subgroups such as Cl through C3, C5 through Gb 259

-.,

. 6
DEFINING DATA ..-. REQUIREMENTS A STMTIT.ATTC!M .-. .-. ---- Ff)R .-. . -------- ------ STIMV ----Sm? --- 29?57 ---~.

and CT+. For increased detail, the C,+ group is frequently broken into two or three subgroups. Laboratorymeasured data such as retrograde liquid drop-out (Figure 8) is matched using component times are three to five grouping. The computational timesmore comparedtothe black-oilsystems. Models are generallyunstablenear the criticallocusof the P-T diagram. Additional data requirementsfor EOR are given in Tables 7, 8, and 9. f3ELD pERFORMANCE0A7A ition and performancePredictio~ fl~auis The simulator calculates the fluids in-place and their distributionafter geological,rock and fluid data are properly input into the. model. For the purpose of this discussionwe can consider the field to be in various stages of development. These can be: 1. Early development-- under productionfor less than a year. 2. intermediate-- producing under depletion or pressuremaintenancefor less than five years. 3. 4. Fully developedreservoirunder productionfor 10+ years. Field under EOR.

descrtpt~on. The early breakthrough of injected fluids may indicate high permeabilitystreaks. If breakthrough timing does not match, relative permeabilityshould also be re-examined. Continuousflowmeter logs or spinnersurveyscarried out on injection and production wells can help determine the entry and exit point of fluids. For open hole completions, electriclogs can help monitor gas/oil and water/oil contacts or changes in water saturation. For cased hole completionsTDT logs can be useful in providingdetails of fluid movement. A model capable of duplicatingthe measured field data provides a high level of confidence in predicting future behavior of the reservoir. Various future operating strategiessuch as recompletionprograms, timing of gas lift installations, etc., can now be examined. Simulation for a fully developed reservoir is basically an extension of the Intermediatesta e. However,by this time reservoirdescriptionhasfu !ly matured. Movements for various fronts such as gas and water have also been matched. It is equally importantto determinewhere remainingoil is present in the reservoirand what ts ultimatelyrecoverable. A point of caution here is to examine the relative permeabilityto oil at low oil saturations. ~NHANCED OIL ~OVERY SPECIAL CONSIDERTION~ A

The performancedata can be categorizedas: (1) (2) well completiondata production/injection data

Simulation predictionsbecome more complex for EOR methods, In most cases historicalperformancedata is not available. Additionalwork has to be done to closely. determine remaining oil saturationand its distributionin the reservoir. Mi$ctbte (C ~2Hv
~.

on) Floodinq carb

Well data relates to tubing and casing size, perforation intervals, timing of any workover or recompletion,productivityor injectivityindex of each well. The oil rate, GOR, WOR and pressurevs. time data on a well-by-wellbasis are needed to conduct a history match. For a field in the early developmentstage, usually it is possibleto derive the followingbenefitsfrom simulation: (1) close match of fluids in place from geological analysis and model description. (2) establishmentof recovery under depletion and range of recoveries for immiscible fluid injection. (3) optimumtimingatwhich injectionshouldbegin. (4} rate-time forecast to help determine present economicsof the field. At an intermediate stage of development the geological, rock, and fluid descriptionas well as initial fluids in place can be verified more accurately. Geologicaldescriptionis a continuous process. In thisstageif the geologicaland fluid descriptionsdo not provide a match with performance data, it is necessary to review and change the

Compositional simulation of enhanced oil recovery processes such as C02 requires characteriza$..g~ of fluid behavior using an equation of state. A step-wiseprocedureto simulationis as follows: 1. Match laboratory work using an equation of state program. 2, Use one-dimensional, sma19 grid cells to ct;gt];;telab test data such as slimtube 3. tl;l~iz; slug size using a one-dimensional 4. Condu;t simulation on a pattern or smallest ;Tm;;ical element to optimize operating

5. Scale ;esults on field-wide basis based on pattern results. Verify those resultsbyctinducting limited field scale model simulation. The abilityto predictthe performanceof.a reservoir under enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is more difficult than for black-oil. EOR models are highly process dependent. In addition to having reservoirand EOS knowledge,one has to confronttranslationof multicontact miscibilitydata into the simulator. S1imtube data is one-dimensional while the reservoircan have 3-dimensionalflow. Part of the reservoircan be immiscible,part partially miscible and part completelymiscible. The possible changes in rock nettabilityor interfatialtens~onand corresponding changes in residual oil saturationare difficultto preciselydefine and fine-tune.

280

SPE 22357

At K. IMNOONA.R. B. ALSTON. R. S. JOHNSON,R. We BRAUN WLISI ofi~

Since a significantportion of EOR simulationstudy is for planning purposes,the results are useful in If the terms of relative comparison of cases. objective Is to establish ultimate recovery, field performance data from similarreservoirsfloodedwith similar fluids should be reviewed as an analog. If field pilot test data is available,such data should be carefullymatched before scaling the resultson a fieldwidebasis. ntl Floodinq cal (PolvmerlSurfacta Polymers and surfactant chemicals are added to Polymers are used to provide injection water. mobility control during displacementby increasing water viscosity and reducing rock permeability. Selective injection profile control in which high permeability zones are blocked to alter injection profile is another application, A black- oil model can be modified to simulateperformance. Stability of polymer at reservoir. temperatureand its interaction with formationwater should be evaluated in the laboratory. Surfactants decrease re;;~;;onoil saturation by Considerable reducing int.erfacial laboratory work is required tofind an effective surfactant system and to perform core floods. A black-oil model capable of tracking injected fluid concentration and its effecton relativepermeability can provide incrementalforecastsof oil recovery. As is the case with miscible floocisimulations, chemical floodingshould first be simulatedon small one-dimensional models to duplicate laboratory results. Pattern simulationscan then be followed with reservoirscale studies. am) Floodi nq Be rmal (Ste -:
=5 . ,

We have described the data requirements for conducting a simulation study for black-oil, compositionaland enhanced oil recovery processes. The followir,g conclusionsare made: 1. Data requirements shguldreconsidered earlyin the life of reservoir. 2. 3* Interdisciplinaryteams shou~d be used for reservoirdescriptionand data analysis. Sensitivityruns should be made to determine which data parameters i~avekey influence on results. Every effort shouldbemade to obtain that data. If model-computedperformancedoes not match field data, do not force fit the historymatch but review each data parameterand its impact on results.

4.

5. Compositional and EOR simulation should be first conducted with one-dimensional and pattern models. Pattern simulationscan then be followedwith field scale studies. ACl(NflWLEllGEMIViT$ The authors wishto thank the management of Texaco EPTD for providingencouragementand fundingfor the support of this effort.. BFFERENQS 1. 2. 3. Coats, K. H.: Reservoirs emulation: Stateof the Art, J. Pet. Tech. {Aug. 1982) 1633-1642. Odeh, A. S.: ReservoirSimulation-- What is it?, J. Pet, Tech. (Nov. 1969) 1383-1388. Coats, K. ii.: Use and Misuse of Reservoir SimulationModels, J. Pet. Tech. (Nov. 1969) 1391-1398. Staggs, H. hi.and Herbeck, E. F,: Reservoir Simulation Models--AnEngineering Overview, J. Pet. Tech. (Dec. 1971) 1428-1436. Keelan, C).: Coring,world Oi1 (March 1985) 83-90. The Role of Geoloav in Harris, 0. G.: Reservoir Simulation Studies, J. Pet.~ech. (May 197S) 625-632. Harris, il. G. and Hewitt,C. H.: Synergismin Geologic Reservoir Management Perspective,J. Pet. Tec~~ (J~!~ 1977) 761770. Jardine, 0., Andrews, D, P., Wishart, J. W., and Young, J. ii.:Distribution and Continuit.v of CarbonateReservoirs,J. Pet. Tech. (Jul~ 1977) 873-885. Ruijtenberg,P. A., Buchanan, R., and Marke, . Three-Dimensional Ilata ImproveReservo\r !;~ptngw,J. Pet. Tech. (Jan. 1990) 22-25, 5961.

The advantagesof steam as a medium for moving heat to a displacementfront are its relativelyhigh heatcarryingcapacityplus the large amountof heat which may be transferred to a formatian as heat of condensation. The simulationmodel shou9d account for heat loss in surface facilities,injectionwell bore a~~ vertical loss to the surrounding strata. Figure , 9 isan illustration of heat losses which occur. Model mathematics in addition to fluid flow and heat transfer should also account for: 1. Thermal expansion of oil -- this results in reduced SQP when reservoir temperature approachesInitialtemperature. 2. Viscosity reduction permittingmore efficient immiscibledisplacement. 3. Steam distillation if reservoir oil contains distillablelight components.

4.

5. 6.

7.

If field production data is available, a match between measured and computed oil, water and steam rates is.obtained. It is importantto match steam breakthrough times as well as API gravity and viscosityof producedoil. Steamfloodsimulationis complex and does require significantly more engineeringand computertime. It is more convenient to simulate a portion (or pattern)of the reserwoir and then scale the kesults.

a.

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lll?kTNTNC --- ~..-.,IMTA REOIITllFMF.NTE FOR ... .A . - SIUULATION -. -.. .. -=--. -----STUDY SPE 22357

10.

anagement Using Robertson,J. D.: ReservoirM 30 Seismic Data, J. Pet. Tech. (July 1989) 663-667, Honarpour,M,, Koedertiz,i-. anc!fHarvey, fi. H.: Petroleum Permeability Relative Reservoirs, CRC Press Inc., Boca Raton, Florida (1986) 1-13. Between Gas Corey, A, T.: The Interrelation and Oil Relative Permeabilities, Prod. Mun. 19, 38, 1954. Estimation of Three-Phase Stone, H. L.: Relative Permeability, J. Pet. Tech, 2, 214, 1970. Estimation of Three-Phase Stone, H. L.: Relative Permeabilityand ResidualOil Data, J. of Can. Pet. Tech. 12, 53, 1973. Dandona,A. K. and Morse, R. A.: HowF looding Rate and Gas Saturation Affect waterflood Oil and Gas Journal, July 2 and Performance, 9, 1973, Effective Formation Hall, A. C.: Compressibility, Trans. AIME (1953) 198, 309. fPetroleum, Second Levorsen,A. 1.: Geologyo Edition, W, H. Freeman Publishing Co., San Francisco,(1967) 128-129. Evaluationof Rose, W. and Bruce, W. A.: Capillary Character in Petroleum Reservoir Rock, Trans. AIME (1949) 186, 127-142. Moses, P. L.: EngineeringApplicationsof Phase Behavior of Crude Oil and Condensate Systems,J, Pet. Tech. (July 1986) 715-723, Reservoir Fluids Laboratory, Inc.: Produce Descriptionand PriceSchedule,NorthAmerica, Houston, TX, Jan, 1991. Whitson, C. H. and Torp, S. 6,: Evaluating Constant-VolumeDepletion Data, J. of Pet, Tech. (March 1983) 610-620.

Redlich, O. and Kwong, J. N. S.: On the Thermodynamics of SolutlonsV, An Equationof State Fugacitiesof Gaseous Solutions,Chem. Reviews (Feb. 1949) 44, 233-244. Ramey, H. J., Jr.: Fundamentalsof Thermal Oil Recoveryl, p. 165, Dallas, The Petroleum Publisi~ing Co., 1965,

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16. 17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22, Jacoby,R. H. and Berry, W. J., Jr,: AMethod for Predicting Oepletion Performance of a ReservoirProducingVolatileCrudeOil, Trans. AIME, 210, 27-33, 1957, 23. Cook, A. B., Spencer, G. B. and Bobrowski,F. Special Considerations in Predicting P. R~;ervoir Pe orrnance of Highly Volatile Type Oil Reservoirs, Trans.AIh?E, 192,37-46, 1951. A Reudelhuber, F. O. and Hinds, R. F.: Compositional Material Balance Method for Prediction of Recovery from Volatile Oil DepletionOrive Reservoirs,Trans.AIME, 210, 19-26, 1957 (?). Coats, K, H.: Simulationof Gas-Condensate ReservoirPerformance, SPEJ (Oct. 1985) 18701886. Peng, D. Y. and Robinson, D. 0.: A New ?woConstant Equation of State, Ind. Eng. Chem. Fund (1976) 15, 59-64. 262

24.

25.

26.

. Informationfrom Seismic Rata 1. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Structure - size, shape, orientationand continuity Gross thicknessof reservoir Presenceof faults or discontinuities such as unconformitytruncation Fracture intensityand orientation Type of fluid -- gas or liquid Cross-welltomography,techniques can providedistributionof bypassedoil -- useful for EOR

~G#dw

InformationFrom Core Analysis5 GEOLOGICAL

L
3, 4. t ;: 9. 10.

11,

Formationlithology (sandstone,limestone,dolomite,etc.) Sedimentary structures (laminations,cross-bedding, root casts, worm burrows) Porositytype (storagecapacity) intergranular vugular-moldic intragranular fracture micraporosity intercrystalline Permeability(flow caoacitv) Presenceor absence of oil (fluorescence) Formationpresence and thickness (tops and bottoms) Formationsequence Formationage, facies and correlation(biostratigraphy) Oppositionalenvironment Fracturedefinition depth and Occurrence length depth angle width Oiagenesis (chemical,physical and biologicchanges after deposition)

ENGINEERING ;: 3. 4. ;: 7. Porosity Permeability Permeabilityheterogeneity(Lorenzecoefficient,variance factor) Porosityvs. permeabilityrelationships Reservoirwater saturations(oil-basecores) Reservoirresidualoil saturationsand distribution(pressureand sponge core) Data for calibrationand refinementof downhole log calculations Grain density Calcimetry (limestone/dolomite ratio) Acoustic velocity Gamma-raycharacteristics (core gamma and core spectral) Electricalproperties(m and n) Mineralogyand clay type, distributionand quantity Special core analysis Relative permeability Formationnettability Capillary pressure (water-retention properties) Pore volume compressibility Rock-injectedfluid compatibility Residualgas (trappedby water)

8.

... .... .....

IwnEQ

InformationFrom Well Leas 1. 2. 3. 4+ 5. 6. 7, Structuraltops Gross/netpay thickness Porosity vs. depth Initialwater saturationvs. depth Presence or absence of shales Depth of gas/oil or oil/watercontacts Well to well correlations a continuityof sand e vertical stratification definition Gas-oil and oil-watercapillarypressuredrainage curves Lithologydefinition

8. 9.

IAQIJu
Mel! Test Data 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Reservoirpressure Effectivepermeabilitythicknessproduct (kOh,k~h) Productivity,injectivityindex, completionefficiency (wellboredamage) Distance of well from the fault or discontinuity The size of reservoir (continuity of sand) Single or double porosity systems Continuityof permeabilitybetween the wells -- interferencetesting Presencecf fracturesor high permeabilitystreaks

IMLL5
Reservoir InformationRequired for a SimulationStudy

Structuremap of each reservoir Isopach maps (net and gross thickness) with location of gas/oil and oilwater contacts for each layer 3. 4. 5. -. 6. 7. Water saturationmaps for each layer Permeabilitydistributio~maps for each layer 1/0 porositydistributionfor each layer Rock region maps for each layer Maps of flow barriers such as faults for each layer

Note: Layer is a continuous lowunit. It may or may not communicatewith layers above and below, Their primary function is to define stratification in the reservoir.

. TA!3LE6 FluidData for Black-OilFrom LaboratoryMeasurements 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Oil FVF vs. reservoirpressure Gas FVF vs. reservoirpressure Water FVF vs. reservoirpressure Oil viscosityvs. pressure Gas viscosityvs. pressure Gas in solutionvs. reservoirpressure Water viscosity Oil compressibility Water compressibility Oil FVF at separatorconditions Gas in solutionat separatorconditions

IM4L..z
AdditionalReservoirRock Data for EnhancedOil Recovery* Miscible [CQ2avdrocarbon\ o
q

Changes in rock nettability Effect on relativepermeabi 1ity (S.,)

Chemical (D olvmer. surfactant~ @ @ @ a @ Polymer/surfactant absorptionon the reservoirrock Polymer residual resistance factor (~ffect of adsorption on rock permeability) Polymer inaccessible pore volume Rock ion exchangecapacitywith injectedfluid Effect on relativepermeability (SO,)for surfactant

Thermal (steam~ @ @ e
q

Temperaturedependentrelativepermeabilitycurves Residual oil saturationto steam vapor {S.,9) Pore volume compressibility Rock thermal conductivity Rock heat capacity

In some cases these data cannot be measured directly and must be determinedby history matching laboratorycore flood recoveries.

265

. . . . AdditionalFluid PropertyData for Chemical Flooding (Polymer/Surfactants)

.?QIMU$ 1. 2. 3. Surfac tant 1. 2. 3. Solution stability Phase equilibrium(oil-waterdistributionof surfactant) Change in interracialtension I Stabilityof polymer at reservoirtemperature Polymer viscosityvs. concentrationand shear rate Core flood recoveries

AdditionalFluid PropertyData for Thermal Flooding

1, 2. 3.

Temperatureand pressuredependentequilibriumconstant (k-values) Viscosity as a functionof temperature Thermal expansionand heat capacityof oil

TYPE w 6iE0i&3iNC ACWITY

ROCK!5TUDIES LITHOLOGY DEPOSITIONALORIGIN RESERVOIR ROCKTYPES

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269

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LAB MEASURED DATA EOS CHARACTERIZATION BASED ON 3 PSEUDO COMPONENTS (Cd . (23 C4 - (27 C7 +) -

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Fig. 8 Retrograde
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HEAT LOSS FROM SURFACE EQUIPMENT TO SURROUNDING

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WERTICAV HEAT LOSS FROM HEATED FORMATION FIg 9 Illustration of heat Ioaseswhichoccurin a heat InjectionGyslem(afterRamay m)

270