Diagnostic Plots for Analysis of Water Production and Reservoir Performance (A Case Study) By Echufu-Agbo Ogbene Alexis RECOMMENDED: ______________________________________ Chair, Professor David Ogbe ______________________________________ Professor Ekwere Peters ______________________________________ Dr Samuel Osisanya APPROVED: ______________________________________ Chair, Department of Petroleum Engineering ______________________________________ Provost Academic ______________________________________ Date i Diagnostic Plots for Analysis of Water Production and Reservoir Performance (A Case Study) A Thesis Presented to the Graduate Faculty of the African University of Science and Technology in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PETROLEUM ENGINEERING By Echufu-Agbo Ogbene Alexis Abuja-Nigeria December 2010. ii ABSTRACT The research is aimed at the understanding of the various diagnostic plots for the analysis of water production that are available as well as the application of these methods in a case study. It also aimed at the establishment of a work flow for the evaluation of water production mechanisms. A workflow was developed that combines numerical simulation and diagnostic plots to analyze the water production performance in a reservoir. This workflow was validated using a case study. The multi-layer reservoir model with varying vertical permeability was constructed using a numerical simulator with the reservoir properties of the case study. Trends from the field data were analyzed using the trends observed from the simulated data as templates. For the production wells, oil rate and water rate versus time plots as well as the Xplot were used to evaluate water production characteristics of the case study. The water-oil ratio (WOR), WOR derivative and X-Plot were used for the field production diagnosis while the Hall and the Hearn Plots were used for the water injection well diagnosis. The results of the diagnostic plots showed that multi-layered channelling was the controlling mechanism and the cause of the water production in the case study. For the injection wells, the plots indicated that some wells in the case study had the problem of extensive near wellbore fracturing while other wells had the problem of wellbore plugging. The workflow and results of this study can be applied by reservoir and production engineering teams to other reservoirs to diagnose water production mechanisms; identify sources of water production, and provide information for planning water management programmes to mitigate excessive water production problems. iii DEDICATION Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path Proverb 3: 4-5 To my God and Saviour- without whom wouldn’t have come this far. You thought me to trust and hold on. Thank you To my Husband and best friend, I couldn’t have asked for a better partner. I pray I will always be the best for you. Thank you for your prayers and support. I love you To my irreplaceable family, you stood by me, cried with me, prayed for me, You have done so much and I appreciate you. Thank you and God bless you To all my friends, you believed in me and encouraged me even when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank the chairman of my committee, Prof (Emeritus) Ogbe for working tirelessly with me through my research work. His continuous guidance and understanding made this work possible. I would also like to thank members of my committee, Prof Ekwere and Prof Osisanya for their contributions and suggestions in this research work. I am also grateful to Brian Coats of Coats Engineering, Inc., USA, for promptly attending to me and making available the simulator for this work. My appreciation also goes to African University of Science and Technology (AUST) for availing me this opportunity. Special thanks to the Faculty and Staff of AUST for making this environment bearable for me. Appreciation also goes to Dr () Felicia Chukwu, whose advice and support I never lacked. Finally, my appreciation goes to all my colleagues for all the support they rendered. Without you, I would have stood alone. v TABLE OF CONTENTS SIGNATURE PAGE ............................................................................................................... i TITLE PAGE ..........................................................................................................................ii ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION....................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................................ix LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................ xii LIST OF APPENDICES ...................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER 1 ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Description of Problem ................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Study Objective ............................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Scope of Work ............................................................................................................... 2 CHAPTER 2 ......................................................................................................................... 3 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................. 3 2.1 Source of water ............................................................................................................. 3 2.1.1 Sweep water ......................................................................................................... 4 2.1.2 Good water ........................................................................................................... 5 2.1.3 Bad water .............................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Water Production Mechanism ...................................................................................... 7 2.3 Causes of premature water production. ...................................................................... 7 2.3.1 Channels behind casing ...................................................................................... 8 2.3.2 Barrier breakdowns. ............................................................................................. 8 2.3.3 Completions into or near water. .......................................................................... 8 2.3.4 Coning and cresting. ............................................................................................ 8 2.3.5 Channelling through higher permeability zones or fractures. .......................... 9 2.3.6 Fracturing out of zone. ......................................................................................... 9 2.4 ReservoirPerformancePlots and Analysis for WaterProduction ............................. 10 2.4.1 Decline Curve Analysis ...................................................................................... 11 2.4.2 Log Of Water Cut or Oil Cut Versus Cumulative Production .......................... 13 2.4.3 Fetkovich Type Curves ...................................................................................... 14 2.4.4 Omoregie and Ershaghi (X-Plot)........................................................................ 15 2.4.5 Hall and Hearn Plot for Injectors ....................................................................... 17 2.4.6 Diagnostic Plot ................................................................................................... 19 vi CHAPTER 3 ....................................................................................................................... 24 3.0 METHODOLOGY.......................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Flowchart for Evaluation of water production mechanism ............................................ 24 3.1.1 Sonic Tool ........................................................................................................... 27 3.1.2 Treatment ............................................................................................................ 27 3.1.3 Monitoring........................................................................................................... 27 3.2 Case Study One........................................................................................................... 27 3.2.1 Field Production Performance Evaluation ........................................................ 31 3.2.2 Field Production Data Diagnostic Plots ............................................................ 32 3.2.3 Field Injection Performance Evaluation ............................................................ 32 3.2.4 Injection Well Diagnostic Plots.......................................................................... 32 CHAPTER 4 ....................................................................................................................... 34 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS .............................................................. 34 4.1 Evaluation of Reservoir Performance Trends.............................................................34 from Simulated Data 4.1.1 Analysis of Simulated Oil Rate and Water Rate Plots ...................................... 34 4.1.2 Analysis of X-Plot Simulated Data .................................................................... 40 4.2 Evaluation of Reservoir Performance trends from....................................................43 Field Case Study 4.2.1 Analysis of Field Oil Rate and Water Rate Plots .............................................. 43 4.2.2 Analysis of Field X-Plot ...................................................................................... 45 4.3 Diagnosis of Simulated Reservoir Production Performance ................................... 50 4.4 Diagnosis of Reservoir Production Performance ..................................................... 52 4.5 Injection Well Performance ....................................................................................... 54 4.5.1 Simulated Injection Well Performance .............................................................. 55 4.5.2 Field Water Injection Performance ................................................................... 54 4.6 Injection Well Diagnosis ............................................................................................ 57 4.6.1 Simulated Water Injection diagnosis ................................................................ 57 4.6.2 Field Water Injection Diagnosis........................................................................ 60 4.7 Guidelines.................................................................................................................... 62 CHAPTER 5 ....................................................................................................................... 63 5.1 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................ 63 5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................. 64 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 65 vii APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................... 67 A. NOMENCLATURE ................................................................................................... 67 B. CASE STUDY ONE OIL RATE AND WATER RATE PLOTS ................................... 68 C. CASE STUDY ONE X-PLOT .................................................................................... 72 D. CASE STUDY ONE DIAGNOSTIC PLOTS .............................................................. 74 E. CASE STUDY ONE INJECTION WELL DIAGNOSTIC PLOTS.................................75 viii LIST OF FIGURES Fig 2.1: Water production with time, the case of an advancing water front .............................4 Fig 2.2: A plot showing one quadrant of a uniform five-spot injection......................................5 pattern where the water from the most direct streamline is the first to break through to the producer. Fig 2.3: Production plot showing the decline types................................................... ............11 Fig 2.4: Production plot showing the exponential decline type..............................................12 Fig 2.5: Production plot showing the oil/water contact depth with .........................................12 cumulative production. Fig 2.6: Production plot showing log of water cut versus ......................................................13 cumulative oil production Fig 2.7: Production plot showing log of oil cut versus cumulative oil ....................................14 Production. Fig 2.8: Composite of analytical and empirical type curves and the standard.......................15 “empirical” exponential, hyperbolic and harmonic decline curve solution on a single dimensionless curve. Fig 2.9: The X-plot for a hypothetical three-layer system.......................................................16 Fig 2.10: The Hall Plot....................................................................................................... ..17 Fig 2.11: The Hearn Plot ..................................................................................................... 18 Fig 2.12: Water coning and channelling WOR comparison...................................................22 Fig 2.13: Multi-layer channelling WOR and WOR derivatives.. ............................................23 Fig 2.14: Bottom-water coning WOR and WOR derivatives. ................................................23 Fig 2.15 : Bottom water coning with late time channelling. .................................................. 24 Fig 3.1 Flow Chart for the Evaluation of water production mechanism. ............................... 25 Fig 3.2: The MBB/W31S structure.........................................................................................28 Fig 4.1: Simulated Field Production rates and water cut versus time (Field) ........................ 35 Fig 4.2: Simulated Well Production rates and water cut versus time (Well P2) .................... 35 Fig 4.3: Simulated Well Production rates and water cut versus time (Well P3) .................... 36 Fig 4.4: Simulated Field Oil cut versus Time (real) .............................................................. 37 Fig 4.5: Simulated Oil cut versus Time (Well P2) ................................................................ 38 Fig 4.6: Simulated Well Oil cut versus Time (Well P3)......................................................... 38 Fig 4.7: Simulated Field water cut versus cumulative production ........................................ 37 Fig 4.8: Simulated well water cut versus cumulative production (Well P2)........................... 40 Fig 4.9: Simulated well water cut versus cumulative production (Well P3)........................... 38 Fig 4.10: Simulated Field X-Plot .......................................................................................... 39 Fig 4.11: Simulated X-Plot (Well P2) ................................................................................... 39 Fig 4.12: Simulated X-Plot (Well P3) ................................................................................... 40 ix LIST OF FIGURES (CONT’D) Fig 4.13: Field production rate versus time.......................................................................... 43 Fig 4.14: Well production rate versus time (Well PR1) ........................................................ 43 Fig 4.15: Field Oil cut versus Time ...................................................................................... 44 Fig 4.16: Well Oil cut versus time (Well PR1) ...................................................................... 45 Fig 4.17: Well Oil cut versus Production time (Well PR2) .................................................... 45 Fig 4.18: Field Water cut versus Cumulative Production ..................................................... 46 Fig 4.19: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR1) .................................... 46 Fig 4.20: Field X-Plot........................................................................................................... 47 Fig 4.21: Well X-Plot (Well PR1) ......................................................................................... 48 Fig 4.22: Simulated Field Diagnostic Plot ............................................................................ 49 Fig 4.23: Simulated Well Diagnostic Plot (Well P2) ............................................................. 49 Fig 4.24: Simulated Well Diagnostic Plot (Well P3) ............................................................. 50 Fig 4.25: Field Diagnostic Plot............................................................................................. 51 Fig 4.26: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR1) ........................................................................... 52 Fig 4.27: Simulated Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector I1)............................. 53 Fig 4.28: Simulated Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector I4)............................. 53 Fig 4.29: Well Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector 1) ...................................... 54 Fig 4.30: Well Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector 2) ...................................... 55 Fig 4.31: Well Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector 3) ...................................... 55 Fig 4.32: Simulated Well Hall Plot (Injector 1) ..................................................................... 56 Fig 4.33: Simulated Well Hall Plot (Injector 4) ..................................................................... 57 Fig 4.34: Well Hall Plot (Injector 1) ...................................................................................... 58 Fig 4.35: Well Hall Plot (Injector 2) ...................................................................................... 58 Fig 4.36: Well Hall Plot (Injector 1) ...................................................................................... 59 Fig 4.37: Well Hearn Plot (injector 1)................................................................................... 60 Fig A-1: Well production rate versus time (Well PR2) .......................................................... 65 Fig A-2: Well production rate versus time (Well PR3) .......................................................... 65 Fig A-3: Well production rate versus time (Well PR4) .......................................................... 66 Fig A-4: Well Oil cut versus Production time (Well PR3) ..................................................... 66 Fig A-5: Well Oil cut versus Production time (Well PR4) ..................................................... 67 Fig A-6: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR3) ..................................... 70 Fig A-7: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR4) ..................................... 68 Fig A-8: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR2) ..................................... 68 Fig B-1: Well X-Plot (Well PR3) ........................................................................................... 69 Fig B-2: Well X-Plot (Well PR4) ........................................................................................... 69 Fig B-3: Well X-Plot (Well PR2) ........................................................................................... 70 Fig C-1: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR3)............................................................................. 71 x LIST OF FIGURES (CONT’D) Fig C-2: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR4)............................................................................. 71 Fig C-3: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR2)............................................................................. 72 Fig D-2: Hearn Plot (Well injector F2).................................................................................. 73 Fig D-2: Hearn Plot (Well injector F3) .................................................................................. 73 xi LIST OF TABLES TABLE 3.1: SUMMARY OF THE RESERVOIR PROPERTIES FOR THE CASE STUDY. .. 28 TABLE 3.2: RESERVOIR MODEL LAYER AND THICKNESS ............................................ 28 xii LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A: Nomenclature .............................................................................................. 64 APPENDIX B: Case Study One Oil Rate and Water Rate Plots ......................................... .65 APPENDIX C: Case Study One X-Plot ................................................................................ 69 APPENDIX D: Case Study One Diagnostic Plots ................................................................ 71 APPENDIX E: Case Study One Hearn Plots ....................................................................... 73 . xiii CHAPTER 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM Produced water is any water that is present in a reservoir with the hydrocarbon resource and is produced to the surface with the crude oil or natural gas. This water could either come from an aquifer or from injection wells in water flooding process. The production of this water alongside the oil from any reservoir is a condition that is natural in all reservoirs. It is expected that water production would increase with the life of the reservoir. However, a premature increase in the production of water in any reservoir is an undesirable condition. Excess or premature water production, exists with associated cost implication on the surface facilities, artificial lift systems, corrosion and scale problems. Another effect that ensues is a decrease in the recovery factors as oil is left behind the displacement front, thereby reducing the performance of the reservoir. All these along with the decrease in the quantity and quality of the oil imply a reduced profitability. Globally, as at 2002, analysis showed that three barrels of water is produced to one barrel of oil and the cost of water handling ranges from 5 to 50 cents, where this cost is a function of the water cut (Bailey et al, 2000). It is therefore imperative that actions be taken to reduce this adverse effect, as this will not just lead to potential savings but its greatest values comes from potential increase in oil production and recovery. To control the produced water effectively, the source or the mechanism of the water problem must be identified. Diagnostic plots have been used successfully to identify the mechanism of water production and that is the focus of this work. 1 1.2 STUDY OBJECTIVES Reservoir simulation would most likely describe a reservoir adequately but a quicker and cheaper way to analyse the performance of a reservoir is by the use of analytical and diagnostic plots, therefore, this research work is aimed at: Developing a work flow for the evaluation of water production mechanisms. Presenting the workflow by considering detailed step by step approach on how water production problems in the reservoir can be diagnosed to support water management planning for mitigation actions. The use of a couple of case studies to demonstrate the application of the workflow and diagnostic plots to identify water production characteristics. Formulating guidelines on how to mitigate water production and thereby optimizing well performance and oil recovery. 1.3 SCOPE OF WORK The work is limited to a number of case studies and is focused on performance evaluation and diagnostics for water production. The various ways in which water can encroach the wellbore are reviewed; in addition, the water production mechanisms and how they can be diagnosed is also discussed. The knowledge of these ways would provide an effective design, treatment and monitoring. 2 CHAPTER 2 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW A review of the literature is presented in this chapter. This presentation includes the source of water, water production mechanisms, diagnosis of the causes of water production and ways of mitigating it. 2.1 SOURCE OF WATER The sources of water include formation water aquifer and injected water (http://karl.nrcce.wvu.edu/ accessed 25/10/2010).The formation water can originate from water saturated zone within the reservoirs or zones above or below the pay zone. A good number of reservoirs are adjacent to an active aquifer and are subject to bottom or edge water drive. Another source of water is through water injection into the reservoir for the purpose of pressure maintenance and secondary recovery. This constitutes a source of water production problem. No matter the source of the water, one form of produced water is always better than another (Bailey et al 2000). Therefore in oil production, the water could be described as either sweep, good or bad. 2.1.1 Sweep water This water comes from either an injection well or an aquifer that is contributing to the sweeping of the oil from the reservoir. The management of this water is usually a vital part of reservoir management. It can also be a determining factor in oil productivity and ultimate reserves. In the later life of the reservoir, with proper 3 management, a reduction in the production of this kind of water most likely implies a reduction in the oil production, (Bailey et al 2000). 2.1.2 Good water This is water that is produced into the wellbore at a rate that is below the water-oil ratio (WOR) economic limit (Fig 2.1). This flow of water is inevitable and cannot be shut off without the adverse effect of losing reserves. In this water source, there is commingling of water and oil through the formation matrix. The water cut is dictated by the natural mixing behaviour which gradually increases the water-oil ratio. Fig 2.1: Water production with time, the case of an advancing water front (Bailey et al, 2000) Also, good water is the water production that is caused by converging flow lines into the well during water injection. Since this is the shortest line from the injector to the producer (Fig 2.2), water break through occurs first on this line. This water is considered as good water since it is impossible to shut off flow lines. 4 Fig 2.2: A plot showing one quadrant of a uniform five-spot injection pattern where the water from the most direct streamline is the first to break through to the producer. (Bailey et al, 2000) Since good water is produced with oil, water management would seek to maximize its production and to minimize associated water costs, and the water should be removed as early as possible. 2.1.3 Bad water Bad water can be any water that negates profit. It could be defined as water that is produced into the wellbore and produces no oil or insufficient oil to pay for the cost of handling the water. Basically, this is water that is produced above the water/oil economic limit. Most water production problems fall into this category and this classification is discussed below. 2.2 WATER PRODUCTION MECHANISMS As earlier stated, once the water production mechanism is understood, an effective strategy can be formulated to control the water production. The flow of water into the 5 well bore can occur through two main paths i.e. flow through a separate path as the hydrocarbons and flow of water with the hydrocarbons (http://karl.nrcce.wvu.edu/ accessed 25/10/2010). Flow through a separate path from the hydrocarbon often leads to direct competition between the water and the hydrocarbon production. This usually constitutes bad water. Therefore, reducing or controlling this water production would lead to the increase of oil or gas production rate and recovery efficiencies. The second flow path usually constitutes good and sweep water. Therefore a reduction or control in the production of this water would imply a reduction in the production of the hydrocarbon (Bailey et al 2000). However, no matter the flow path, there are three factors that must be present, namely the source of water, pressure gradient and a favourable relative permeability to water (http://karl.nrcce.wvu.edu/ accessed 25/10/2010). Pressure gradient: Production of oil and gas from the reservoir can only be achieved by applying a pressure draw-down at the wellbore which creates a pressure gradient within the formation. Production from a fully penetrating and perforated well results in a horizontal pressure gradient in the formation. However, flow from a partially penetrated well will result in not just a horizontal pressure gradient but also a vertical pressure gradient. This will often lead to an undesirable condition. Favourable relative permeability to water: Oil, water and gas mainly flow through the path of least resistance, which is usually the part of the reservoir with higher permeability. For a reservoir with uniform geometry and permeability, flow will be along a simple line into the wellbore but this is not the usual case. With water driven or water flooded reservoirs, this heterogeneity especially in multi-layered cases 6 would result in water channelling through the high permeability streaks. Most reservoirs consist of layers of different permeability, either immediately adjacent to each other or separated by impermeable layers. Layering and associated permeability variations are major causes of channelling in the reservoir. As the water sweeps the higher permeability intervals, permeability to subsequent flow of the water becomes even higher in those intervals and the lower permeability intervals remain unswept. This leads to a premature water breakthrough. Channelling can be further exacerbated by lower water viscosity as compared to that of oil especially during water flooding. 2.3 CAUSES OF PREMATURE WATER PRODUCTION. Excessive water production can result from either a well problem (mechanical failure/casing integrity) or other reasons related to the reservoir like water channelling from water table to the well through natural fractures or faults into the well, water breakthrough in high permeability zones or water coning. In general, water production problems related to the well integrity are easier to solve. However, it gets more complicated to control water production if it is related to the reservoir characteristics. The factors that are reservoir related are discussed below: 2.3.1 Channels behind casing. Channels behind casing can develop throughout the life of a well, but are most likely to occur immediately after the well is completed or stimulated. Unexpected water production at these times strongly indicates a channel may exist. Channels in the casing-formation annulus result from poor cement/casing bonds, (Reynolds 2003). 7 2.3.2 Barrier breakdowns. Even if natural barriers, such as dense shale layers, separate the different fluid zones and a good cement job exists, shale can heave and fracture near the wellbore. As a result of production, the pressure differential across these layers of shale allows fluid to migrate through the wellbore. More often, this type of failure is associated with stimulation attempts. Fractures break through the shale layer, or acids dissolve channels through it, (Reynolds 2003). 2.3.3 Completions into or near water. Completion into the unwanted fluid allows the fluid to be produced immediately. Even if perforations are above the original water-oil contact, proximity allows production of the unwanted fluid, through coning or cresting, to occur more easily and quickly, (Reynolds 2003). 2.3.4 Coning and cresting. According to Reynolds (2003), fluid coning in vertical wells and fluid cresting in horizontal wells are due to pressure drop near the well completion. This causes water inflow from an adjacent connected zone toward the completion. Eventually, the water can break through into the perforated or open hole section, replacing all or part of the hydrocarbon production. At water breakthrough, higher cuts of the unwanted fluid are produced. Although reduced production rates can curtail the problem, they cannot cure it. 8 2.3.5 Channelling through higher permeability zones or fractures. Higher permeability streaks can allow fluid that is driving hydrocarbon production to breakthrough prematurely, bypassing potential production by leaving lower permeability intervals unswept. This is most common in active water-drive reservoirs and water floods. As the driving fluid sweeps the higher permeability intervals, permeability to subsequent flow of the fluid becomes even higher, which results in increasing water-oil ratios throughout the life of the well or project, (Reynolds, 2003). 2.3.6 Fracturing out of zone. An improperly designed or poorly performed stimulation treatment can allow a hydraulic fracture to enter a water zone. If the stimulation is performed on a producing well, an out-of-zone fracture can allow early breakthrough of water, (Reynolds, 2003). Water coning, multilayer channelling and near wellbore problems are the main three contributors to excessive water production, (Chan 1995). Obviously, the understanding of excessive water production mechanism and identifying the water entry in the well are the two major factors that make the shut-off job successful. Over the last 30 years, technical efforts for water control were mainly on the development and implementation of gels to create flow barriers for suppressing water production. Various types of gels were applied in different types of formations. Quite often, excessive water production mechanisms were not clearly understood or confirmed. Although many successful treatments were reported, the overall treatment success ratio remains low, (Chan, 1995). 9 2.4: RESERVOIR PERFORMANCE PLOTS AND ANALYSIS FOR WATER PRODUCTION According to Seright et al (1997), several methods can be useful in the identification of the source and nature of excess water production. Some of these methods could include simple injectivity and productivity calculations, inter-well tracer studies, reservoir simulation, pressure transient analysis, and various logs. Kikani (2005) itemized the following plots for the analysis of both the producers and the injection wells. The following plots were identified for producing wells: Decline Curve Analysis Log of Water Cut or Oil Cut Versus Cumulative Production Fetkovich type curves Omoriegie-Ershaghi Plot (X plot) Dowell-Schlumberger log(WOR) Diagnostic Plot While for the injection wells, the plots are Injectivity curves - pseudo injectivity Hall Plots Hearn plot Some of these plots are discussed in the following section. 2.4.1 DECLINE CURVE ANALYSIS It is a production data analysis method used to match historical decline trends in order to forecast future production rates. It works with the premise that, “the factors that affected production in the past will affect production in the future”. It usually uses various production and performance plots. Some of these production plots are as shown below. 10 Fig 2.3: Production plot showing the decline types (Satter and Thakur, 1994) Fig 2.4: Production plot showing the exponential decline type (Satter and Thakur, 1994) 11 Fig 2.5: Production plot showing the oil/water contact depth versus cumulative production (Satter and Thakur, 1994) These plots show the performance of the reservoir with production. 2.4.2 LOG OF WATER CUT OR OIL CUT VERSUS CUMULATIVE PRODUCTION According to Bondar (2002), the logarithm of WOR or water cut (fw) function plotted against cumulative production is commonly used for evaluation and prediction of water flood performance. This presumed semi-log plot of fw and oil recovery allows extrapolation of the straight line to any desired water-cut as a mechanism for determining the corresponding oil recovery. Straight-line extrapolation method assumes that the mobility ratio is equal to unity and the plot of the log of relative permeability ratio of the flowing liquids, (krw/kro), versus water saturation, Sw is a straight line. According to Omoregie and Ershaghi (1978), this approach is only 12 applicable for fw greater than 0.5 and it should not be used during the early stage of a water flood. Fig 2.5: Production plot showing log of water cut versus cumulative oil production (Satter and Thakur, 1994) Fig 2.7: Production plot showing log of oil cut versus cumulative oil production (Satter and Thakur, 1994) 13 2.4.3 FETKOVICH TYPE CURVES In 1973, Fetkovich' proposed a dimensionless rate-time type curve for decline curve analysis of wells producing at constant bottomhole pressure. These type curves, shown in Fig. 2.8, were developed for slightly compressible liquids. These type curves combined analytical solutions to the flow equation in the transient region with empirical decline curve equations in the pseudo-steady state region. The transient portion of the Fetkovich type curve is based on an analytical solution to the radial flow equation for slightly compressible liquids with a constant pressure inner boundary and a no-flow outer boundary. The following dimensionless equations were used: The late time portion of Fetkovich’s type curve, describing Pseudo-steady state or boundary dominated flow is given by Where the dimensionless variables are: 14 Fig 2.8: Composite of analytical and empirical type curves and the standard “empirical” exponential, hyperbolic and harmonic decline curve solution on a single dimensionless curve (Fetkovich, 1980). Though the type curve analysis can be cumbersome in application, Fetkovich (1980) says that, “type curve approach provides unique solution upon which engineers can agree or shows when a unique solution is not possible with a type curve only. In the event of a non unique solution, a most probable solution can be obtained if the producing mechanism is obtained. This gives the decline curve analysis (type curve) a good diagnostic power” 2.4.4 OMOREGIE AND ERSHAGHI (X-PLOT) According to Omoregie and Ershaghi (1978), for a fully developed water flood with no major operational changes, a plot of fractional water cut versus total recovery is used often to obtain a quick estimate of the ultimate recovery at given economic water cut. The extrapolation of the past performance on the “cut-cum” plot is a complicated task. The difficulty arises mainly because a curve fitting by simple 15 polynomial approximation does not result in satisfactory answers in most cases. The concept of fractional flow was based on the Buckley-Leverett recovery formula given by, where This method is based purely on the actual performance of a water flood project. It implicitly considers reservoir configurations, heterogeneity, and displacement efficiency. One major assumption is that the operating method will remain relatively unchanged. An interesting application of this plot is that the linear plot of cumulative production ER versus X, the two constants, m and n, may be used to derive a field krw/kro. Fig 2.9: The X-plot for a hypothetical three-layer system (Ershaghi and Abdassah, 1984)) 16 2.4.5 HALL AND HEARN PLOT FOR INJECTORS Hall and Hearn method are applicable to water flooded operations where injection wells are surface pressure controlled and where bottom hole injection just below formation parting pressure (FPP) is desired (Jarrel and Stein, 1991). These methods help in monitoring the acceleration of fill-up and average reservoir pressure growth in an actual field. While the Hall plot is the plot of the bottom hole injection pressure versus the cumulative water injected, Hearn plot is the plot of inverse injection index versus cumulative water injection. Monitoring these plots as pressure and rate increases renders qualitative interpretation of whether the rates are being maintained below the formation parting pressure (FPP). The assumptions inherent in these plots are piston-like displacement, steady state, radial single phase and single layer flow with the reservoir pressure, p e being constant. It is also assumed that there is no residual gas saturation in the water and oil zones. The Hall and Hearn plots can be used to determine reservoir properties such as transmissivity (kh) etc as reservoir condition changes. These plots are based on the radial, steady state form of Darcy’s law of flow with the relationship, Where According to Chan (1995), the above plots could be useful to evaluate production efficiency, but they do not reveal any detail on reservoir flow behaviours. Although, some of the plots could show reservoir characteristics, they do not shed any clue on 17 the timing of the layer breakthrough. Therefore the need for the diagnostic plot was proposed by Chan. It reveals detailed reservoir flow behaviours, the timing of the layer breakthrough and the relationship between the rates of change of the WOR with the excessive water production mechanism. Fig 2.10: The Hall Plot (Jarrel and Stein, 1991) Fig 2.11: The Hearn Plot (Jarrel and Stein, 1991) 18 2.4.6 DIAGNOSTIC PLOTs According to Chan (1995), the log-log plots of WOR (Water-Oil Ratio) versus time or GOR (Gas-Oil Ratio) versus time show different characteristic trends for different mechanisms. The time derivatives of WOR and GOR were found to be capable of differentiating whether the well is experiencing water and gas coning, highpermeability layer breakthrough or near wellbore channelling. Chan identified three most noticeable water production mechanisms namely water coning, near well-bore problems and multi-layer channelling. Log-log plots of the WOR (rather than water cut) versus time were found to be more effective in identifying the production trends and problem mechanisms. !t was discovered that derivatives of the WOR versus time can be used for differentiating whether the excessive water production problem as seen in a well is due to water coning or multilayer channelling. Figures 2.12 through 2.15 (Chan, 1995) illustrate how the diagnostic plots used to differentiate among the various water production mechanisms. Fig. 2.15 shows a comparison of WOR diagnostic plots for coning and channelling. The WOR behaviour for both coning and channelling is divided into three periods; the first period extends from start of production to water breakthrough, where the WOR is constant for both mechanisms. When water production begins, Chan claims that the behaviour becomes very different for coning and channelling. This event denotes the beginning of the second time period. For coning, the departure time is often short (depending on several variables), and corresponds to the time when the underlying water has been drawn up to the bottom of the perforations. According to Chan, the rate of WOR increase after water 19 breakthrough is relatively slow and gradually approaches a constant value. This occurrence is called the transition period. For channelling, the departure time corresponds to water breakthrough for the most water-conductive layer in a multi-layer formation, and usually occurs later than for coning. Chan (1995) reported that the WOR increases relatively quickly for the channelling case, but it could slow down and enter a transition period, which is said to correspond to production depletion of the first layer. Thereafter, the WOR resumes at the same rate as before the transition period. This second departure point corresponds to water breakthrough for the layer with the second highest water conductivity. According to Chan, the transition period between each layer breakthrough may only occur if the permeability contrast between adjacent layers is greater than four. After the transition period(s), Chan describes the WOR increase to be quite rapid for both mechanisms, which indicates the beginning of the third period. The channelling WOR resumes its initial rate of increase, since all layers have been depleted. The rapid WOR increase for the coning case is explained by the well producing mainly bottom water, causing the cone to become a high-conductivity water channel where the water moves laterally towards the well. Chan (1995), therefore, classifies this behaviour as channelling. Log-log plots of WOR and WOR time derivatives (WOR') versus time for the different excessive water production mechanisms are shown in Figures 2.13 through 2.15. Chan (1995) proposed that the WOR derivatives can distinguish between coning and channelling. Channelling WOR' curves should show an almost constant positive slope (Fig. 2.13), as opposed to coning WOR' curves, this should show a changing negative slope (Fig. 2.14). A negative slope turning positive when “channelling” 20 occurs as shown in Figure 2.15, characterizes a combination of the two mechanisms. Chan classifies this as coning with late channelling behaviour. Fig 2.12: Water coning and channelling WOR comparison. Chan (1995) Fig 2.13: Multi-layer channelling WOR and WOR derivatives. Chan (1995) 21 Fig 2.14: Bottom-water coning WOR and WOR derivatives. Chan (1995) Fig 2.15: Bottom water coning with late time channelling. Chan (1995) 22 Recently, the use of Chan’s WOR diagnostic plots has received significant interest in the oil and gas industry (Seright, 1997). However, the applications of the diagnostic plot to field data and results from numerical simulations have indicated their limitations, especially the use of derivative plots with noisy production data. There is therefore, a need to determine the validity of using these plots as a diagnostic method and to see if it can be fine tuned; and that is the focus of this work. 23 CHAPTER 3 3.0 METHODOLOGY This chapter deals with the methodology and the major directions of this research. The presentation includes: 1. The flow chart for the evaluation of water production mechanism gives a step by step procedure on how to evaluate water production mechanism in the reservoir. 2. The production well performance evaluation and diagnostics deals with various plots on well evaluation and diagnostics 3. The injection well performance evaluation plots and the diagnostic plots. The methodology is validated using production and injection data in a case study of the 31S reservoir, (Stevens Formation), Elk Hills, California. 3.1.1 FLOWCHART FOR EVALUATION OF WATER PRODUCTION MECHANISMS Fig 3.1 describes a step by step procedure on how to evaluate water production problem effectively. The procedure is comprehensive. However, it may not apply to every reservoir since every reservoir may have its own peculiarities. 24 Start evaluation Production data Performance evaluation No Water production? Continue monitoring Yes Diagnostic plot PLT No Mechanical problem? Yes 3 4 1 Fig 3.1: Flow Chart for the Evaluation of water production. 25 2 4 1 2 3 Further Diagnostic plot Sonic tool No No Coning/ channelling ? Detect leakage? Yes Yes Treatment/ shutdown Treatment No No Improve? Improve? Yes Yes Still producing? Yes No Stop evaluation Fig 3.1(cont’d): Flow Chart for the Evaluation of water production. 26 Some parts of the flowchart are described below 3.1.2 Sonic Tool These are wire line tools used mainly for evaluation. It is used to evaluate the state of the set cement. A leaky casing close to a water zone can be detected and an effective treatment administered (Osisanya 2010). 3.1.3 Treatment Most mechanical problem are casing related. That is, either a casing with compromised integrity or a poor cementing job. These usually require a remedial cement job like squeeze cementing to shut off the zone or a change of the casing in question. This can serve as treatment of the mechanical problem in question (Reynolds 2003). 3.1.4 Monitoring Prior to the necessary treatment and even after the treatment, it is a good management practice to monitor the reservoir performance. This will help to determine if the reservoir is producing as required or if a necessary treatment has improved the reservoir performance (Bailey et al, 2000). 3.2 THE CASE STUDY The data for The Case Study is taken from the 31S reservoir, Elk Hills, California. The geology of the 31S reservoir is described by Ezekwe (2010). The largest of the 3 anticlines in the Elk Hills is the 31S. The entire 31S is occupied by the Main Body “B” (MBB) and the Western 31S (W31S) reservoirs. The 31S structure is 9 miles long 27 and 1.5 miles wide. The MBB/W31S is a turbite sandstone reservoir consisting of feldspathic, clay rich deposits. Fig 3.1: The MBB/W31S Structure (Ezekwe, 2010) Table 3.1 lists the fluid properties used in The Case Study. Table 3.1: Summary of the Reservoir properties for the Case Study (Ezekwe,2010). Porosity range 11-26% Air permeability range 10-250 md Initial water saturation range 30-45% Initial average reservoir pressure 3150 psia Initial bubble point pressure 2965 psia Reservoir temperature 210 oF Reservoir oil viscosity 0.40 cp Oil gravity 36 oAPI Mobility ratio 0.6 Residual oil saturation to water 25% Estimated original oil-in-place 610 MMBO 28 For the reservoir study of The Case Study, a 50 x 15 x 8 grid was used to establish an 8 layer model characteristic of the reservoir (Ezekwe 2010), Each grid block had an areal dimension of 300ft x 500ft. The model had a variable thickness as shown in Table 3.2. An average porosity of 20% and permeability of 750md was used with the vertical permeability, kv, varying according to the layers. These values were input into the black oil simulator, (SENSOR, 2009). Table 3.2: Reservoir thickness distribution for each layer in the model Top 6400 40 L1 6485 45 L2 6525 40 L3 35 L4 6580 20 L5 6660 20 L6 35 L7 35 L8 35 L8 6440 6560 6695 WOC 6730 The summary of some of the reservoir properties used is as shown in Table 3.1. Production and injection perforations are through all the layers. There were 44 wells with 26 injectors and 18 producers in the model. Initial reservoir pressure is 3150psi at 6400ft depth with bubble point pressure at 2950 psi. Rock compressibility was taken to be 5x10ˉ6 per psi. The simulations were run for 10 years to provide data for 29 evaluating field performance and determination of water production mechanisms using diagnostic plots. The trends of the diagnostic plots from the simulated data were compared with those from the actual field data for The Case Study. 3.2.1 FIELD PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE EVALUATION This entails the plots of the field data to determine how well the field is producing based on the oil and water production rates, pressure and water cut with cumulative production and time. The plots considered here are: - Oil and water production rates with time - Oil cut with time - Water cut with cumulative production - X-Plot Where, water oil ratio (WOR) is given as water cut is 30 For the X-Plot, the plot of the X function against cumulative production is carried out such that the x function is given by 3.2.2 FIELD PRODUCTION DATA DIAGNOSTIC PLOT The diagnostic plots for the field and well production are described for identifying the nature and the cause of the water production problems; that is, the water production mechanisms in the reservoir. The plots considered for the diagnosis are - X-Plot - The Log-Log plot of Water Oil Ratio with time - The Log- Log Plot of Water Oil Ratio derivative with time The X-Plot can be used to evaluate the performance of water flooding via a straight line extrapolation which gives the corresponding recovery for given water cut. For this reason, water cuts greater than 0.5 is used for this analysis. Another application of the plots is the ability to diagnose layering in a multi layered system. The assumption inherent in this plot is that the operating conditions in the reservoir remain relatively unchanged. The WOR and the WOR derivative (WOR′) plots are used in combination to diagnose the reservoir related water production mechanism prevailing in the reservoir. It takes into cognisance that an upward sloping of the WOR plot with time indicates increased water production. It also considers that the upward sloping of the WOR derivative indicates multilayer channelling while the downward sloping indicates water coning. For the purpose of this work, the centre difference first order derivative approach is used to determine the WOR′. Where WOR′ is given by 31 3.2.3 FIELD INJECTION PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Analysis of field injection was carried out using data from The Case Study to evaluate injectivity and performance. The plots considered for the evaluation are the injection rate and injection pressure plots versus time and cumulative water injected. The plot of injection pressure and rate versus time are used to determine how well the pressure of the reservoir is being maintained in order not to exceed the Formation Parting Pressure and the rates for achieving this. 3.2.4 INJECTION WELL DIAGNOSTIC PLOTS The main plots considered for the diagnosis of water injection behaviour at the injection wells are the Hall plot and the Hearn Plot. Injection data from both simulations and actual field data were plotted for The Case Study. The Hall plot is the plot of the Bottom hole injection pressure with time while the Hearn plot is the plot of inverse injectivity index, Jˉ1, with time. These plots are used to diagnose cases like near wellbore fracture, fracture extension and wellbore plugging which are used to evaluate. All these cases would tell how well the water flooding project is doing. The inverse injectivity index, Jˉ1 is defined as 32 The assumptions inherent in the Hall and Hearn plots are - Piston Displacement - Steady State behaviour of the reservoir - Radial single phase flow - Single layer flow - Average reservoir pressure It is important to recall the rationale behind the methodology of this work. The ideal trends of WOR, WOR’, X-Plot etc are generated from the simulations and used for the basis (templates) for comparison with actual trends obtained from the plots of field data. 33 CHAPTER 4 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS The results obtained from The Case Study are presented and discussed in this section. The order of the discussion is thus; The reservoir simulation performance evaluation and diagnostics are discussed. The field performance and diagnostics with the field data from The Case Study are presented. The performance evaluation and diagnostics of the injection wells from the simulation as well as that of the Case study are presented. 4.1 EVALUATION OF RESERVOIR PERFORMANCE TRENDS FROM SIMULATED DATA Oil rate and water rate as well as water cut and oil cut data are compared to the ideal trends obtained from simulation 4.1.1 ANALYSIS OF SIMULATED OIL RATE AND WATER RATE PLOTS The simulated field and wells production rates and water cut versus time are shown in Fig 4.1 and Fig 4.2 and Fig 4.3respectively, it can be seen that as water production increased, oil production starts to decrease with time. From the material balance premise for water flooding, the rate of water injected is equal to the oil produced and water produced in reservoir barrels/day. Therefore, an increase in water rate would imply a decrease in oil rate since the injection rate is taken to be constant during pressure maintenance. It is also observed that if water rate equals oil 34 rate, then water cut is 50%, and therefore at this point and beyond, the X-plot can be effective for performance evaluation and diagnoses of water production mechanisms. The point beyond which the X-Plot analysis is valid is shown in Figures 4.1 through 4.3. FIELD SIMULATED PRODUCTION RATES AND WCUT 300000 100 250000 80 QWAT Impes 70 200000 QOIL Impes 50% water cut 60 WCUT Impes 150000 50 40 100000 30 20 50000 10 0 0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 TIME (DAYS) Fig 4.1: Simulated Field Production rates and water cut versus time 35 WCUT (%) QWAT (STB/D), QOIL (STB/D), QGAS (MCF/D) 90 SIMULATED PRODUCTION RATES AND WCUT (WELL P2 ) 100 90 80 15000 70 60 50% water cut 10000 50 QWAT Impes 40 QOIL Impes 30 WCUT Impes 5000 WCUT (%) QWAT (STB/D), QOIL (STB/D), 20000 20 10 0 0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 TIME (DAYS) Fig 4.2: Simulated Well Production rates and water cut versus time (Well P2) SIMULATED PRODUCTION RATES AND WCUT (WELL P3 ) 100% 90% 80% 15000 70% 60% 50% water cut 10000 50% QWAT Impes QOIL Impes WCUT Impes WCUT QWAT (STB/D), QOIL (STB/D), 20000 40% 30% 5000 20% 10% 0 0% 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 TIME (DAYS) Fig 4.3: Simulated Well Production rates and water cut versus time (Well P3) 36 The plot of the oil rate versus time in figures 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 shows an exponential decline trend. Therefore, making it possible to fit in the proposed model by Lawal and Utin (2007). The trends of the plots of oil cut versus time are analysed for the simulated data in Fig 4.4, Fig 4.5 and Fig 4.6. Fig 4.4 shows the trends for the field, while Fig 4.5 and Fig 4.6 show the trend for producer well P2 and producer P3, respectively. These curves show a linear trend and therefore, can be extrapolated at a given economic limit of oil cut to project future oil production and reserves for the water flooding process. Simulated Field Oil Cut with Time (Field) Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 500 1000 1500 2000 Time, Days Fig 4.4: Simulated Field Oil cut versus Time 37 2500 3000 3500 4000 Simulated Well Oil Cut with Time(Well P2) Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 Time, Days Fig 4.5: Simulated Well Oil cut versus Time (Well P2) Simulated Well Oil cut with production time (Well P3) Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Time, Days Fig 4.6: Simulated Well Oil cut versus Time (Well P3) 38 3000 3500 4000 From the plot of water cut with cumulative oil production, a linear extrapolation can be established for high tension water flooding, where the log plot of k rw/kro with saturation is linear (Ershaghi and Abdassah, 1984). The plots of log of water cut versus cumulative oil production are shown in Figures 4.7 through 4.9. However, Figures 4.7 through 4.9 do not show a linear fit from the beginning of oil production. However, these plots can still be extrapolated if linear trends are observed at higher water cuts. From the plots below, linear trends at higher water cuts are extrapolated and the corresponding recovery can be deduced from an economic water cut. Simulated Field Water Cut with Cumulative Production 100.00% Water Cut point at which linear extrapolation starts 10.00% 1.00% 0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTB Fig 4.7: Simulated Field water cut versus cumulative production 39 300000 Simulated Well Water Cut with Cumulative Production (Well P2) 100.00% Water Cut point at which linear extrapolation starts 10.00% 1.00% 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTB Fig 4.8: Simulated well water cut versus cumulative production (Well P2) Simulated Well Water Cut with Cumulative Production (Well P3) 100.00% Water Cut point at which linear extrapolation starts 10.00% 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTB Fig 4.9: Simulated well water cut versus cumulative production (Well P3) 40 4.1.2 ANALYSIS OF X-PLOT SIMULATED DATA The X-plot which gives more precise diagnostics than the regular semi log plot of water cut versus cumulative production is shown in Fig 4.10 through Fig 4.12. The simulated field plot, Fig 4.10 shows a more linear trend after a production of 150MMSTBO. However, as shown in Fig 4.11 and Fig 4.12, no linear trends were observed for simulated well X-Plot. Another trend observed in Fig 4.11 and Fig 4.12 are the changing slope which depicts the existence of layers with varying permeabilities. Because X is a function of water cut (which is dependent on water rate), therefore, as permeability changes with layers, then water cut changes, likewise X. This implies a changing slope for the X-Plot. For the performance evaluation of these wells, like the plot of water cut with production, the X-Plot trends can be extrapolated at regions where it is most linear (at higher water cuts) and therefore give the corresponding cumulative production for a given water cut. Simulated Field X Plot 2.50 y = 0.004x + 1.4746 2.40 X 2.30 2.20 2.10 2.00 100.0 150.0 200.0 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig 4.10: Simulated Field X-Plot 41 250.0 300.0 Simulated Well X Plot (Well P2) 2.5000 2.4000 Changing slopes depicting Layers with varying permeabiltiy point at which extrapolation starts X 2.3000 2.2000 2.1000 2.0000 2.0 4.0 6.0 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig 4.11: Simulated X-Plot (Well P2) Simulated Well X Plot (Well P3) 2.5 2.4 Changing slopes depicting Layers with varying permeabiltiy X 2.3 2.2 point at which extrapolation starts 2.1 2.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig 4.12: Simulated X-Plot (Well P3) 42 11.0 12.0 4.2 EVALUATION OF RESERVOIR PERFORMANCE TRENDS FROM FIELD CASE STUDY Oil rate and water rate as well as water cut and oil cut data for the field Case Study One are compared to the ideal trends obtained from simulation. 4.2.1 ANALYSIS OF FIELD OIL RATE AND WATER RATE PLOTS Oil rate and water rate versus time plots of the field data for The Case Study are analyzed in the following section. Figures 4.13 and 4.14 shows the graph of the field and well production rates, respectively. Similar plots for additional wells are shown in Appendix A. As deduced from the simulated results, oil rate would decline with increase in water production. These can be seen in the field plots (Fig 4.13) and the individual well plots (Fig 4.14). The plot of oil and water rate with time shows the point of equal oil rate and water rate and beyond, therefore making the plots of water cut with cumulative production and the X-plot applicable. It is noted that individual well plots (e.g., Fig. 4.14) show the sequence of events (like well shut-ins) during the production of the wells. 43 Field Production Rate with time 35000 Oil and Water Rate, STB/D 30000 25000 oil rate equals water rate 20000 Water Rate 15000 Oil Rate 10000 5000 0 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 Time, Days Fig 4.13: Field production rate versus time Production Rate with Time (Well PR1) 35000 Oil and Water Rate, STB/D 30000 oil rate equals water rate 25000 20000 Oil Rate 15000 Water Rate Well shut in 10000 5000 0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 Time, Days Fig 4.14: Well production rate versus time (Well PR1) 44 7000 Fig 4.15, Fig 4.16 and Fig 4.17 are the semi-log plots of oil cut with cumulative oil production for The Case Study. Fig 4.15 (Field data) shows a linear trend which can be extrapolated to an economic limit for oil cut. However, the data from the wells PR1 and PR2 shown in Fig 4.16 and Fig 4.17 does not show this linear trend and this can be explained by the peculiarities of the individual well exhibit such as, periodic shut ins and possible work over, during well production. Similar plots with this trend are shown in Appendix B. Although the field shows a trend, this would not be very effective in telling the performance of individual wells. Field Oil Cut with Production Days Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 Time, Days Fig 4.15: Field Oil cut versus Time 45 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 Oil Cut with Production time (Well PR1) Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 Time, Days Fig 4.16: Well Oil cut versus time (Well PR1) Well Oil Cut with Production time (Well PR2) Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 Time, Days Fig 4.17: Well Oil cut versus Production time (Well PR2) 46 7000 8000 9000 Water Cut with Cumulative Production 100.00% Water cut, fraction High water cut linear trend General water cut linear trend 10.00% 1.00% 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Cumulative production, MMSTBO Fig 4.18: Field Water cut versus Cumulative Production Water Cut with Cumulative Production (Well PR1) Water Cut 100.00% High water cut linear trend 10.00% General water cut linear trend 1.00% 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig 4.19: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR1) 47 55.0 60.0 Fig 4.18 and Fig 4.19 above shows the log of water cut versus cumulative production for the field and well. Plots of other wells are shown in Appendix B. As was observed for the simulated plots, linear trends were established at higher water cuts and the extrapolation of this linear trend to a given economic limit water cut will give the cumulative oil production for that water cut. Ultimately, the recovery with the water flooding can be determined and therefore the effectiveness of the operative drive mechanism. 4.2.2 ANALYSIS OF FIELD X-PLOT Fig 4.20 and Fig 4.21 show the field X-Plot for The Case Study. The X-plots of water cut above 50% showed linear trends which can be extrapolated to the cumulative production to estimate the recovery. However, the diagnostic trend that was established for the simulated data could not be observed. Similar plots are shown in Appendix C. 48 X-PLOT 2.05 y = 0.004x + 1.378 2.04 X 2.03 2.02 2.01 2 100 150 200 250 300 Cumulative Oil production, MMSTBO Fig 4.20: Field X-Plot X PLOT, Well PR1 3.50 y = 0.1207x - 3.4534 X 3.00 2.50 2.00 40.0 45.0 50.0 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig 4.21: Well X-Plot (Well PR1) 49 55.0 4.3 DIAGNOSIS OF SIMULATED RESERVOIR PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE Figures 4.22 through 4.24 shows the trend of the simulated log-log plots of WOR and WOR’ with time. Fig. 4.22 which is a field simulated plot, shows a positive slope for WOR but the WOR’ plot is inconclusive. From Fig 4.23 and Fig 4.24, there is an increasing trend for both WOR and WOR’. Chan (1995) shows the diagnostic trends of reservoir related problems to have positive slopes for both WOR and WOR’ for channelling and a positive and negative slope for WOR and WOR’ respectively for coning. Fig 4.22 does not indicate the trends to conclude whether the water production is due to channelling or coning. Fig 4.23 and Fig 4.24, exhibits the trend of water channelling. In addition, there are changing slopes which is observed both in the WOR and WOR’ plots. This is an indication of the different layers that exist in the reservoir model. Simulated Field Diagnostic Plot 100 WOR and WOR' 10 1 0.1 WOR 0.01 WOR' 0.001 0.0001 100 1000 10000 Time, Days Fig 4.22: Simulated Field Diagnostic Plot 50 Simulated Diagnostic Plot (Well P2) 100 Changing slopes depicting Layers with varying permeabiltiy WOR and WOR' 10 1 0.1 WOR WOR' 0.01 0.001 0.0001 100 1000 10000 Time, Days Fig 4.23: Simulated Well Diagnostic Plot (Well P2) Simulated Diagnostic Plot (Well P3) 100 Changing slopes depicting Layers with varying permeabiltiy WOR and WOR' 10 1 0.1 WOR WOR' 0.01 0.001 0.0001 100 1000 10000 Time, Days Fig 4.24: Simulated Well Diagnostic Plot (Well P3) 51 4.4 DIAGNOSIS OF RESERVOIR PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE Since the simulated model which fairly characterizes The Case Study shows some diagnostic features of channelling, it can be inferred, that the case study can equally be diagnosed using the Chan’s log-log plot of WOR and WOR’ with time. Fig 4.25 shows the log-log plot of WOR and WOR’ (diagnostic plot) of the field. This plot shows increasing slope for both WOR and WOR’. This is an indication that channelling might be the cause of the water production. However, a look at some of the wells shows this trend better. Fig 4.26 (Producing well PR1) equally shows an increasing positive slope of both WOR and WOR’. This indicates that channelling is the cause of the water production. The changing slopes are however not as clear with the other wells (see Appendix D). This could be partially due to the number of shut-ins that existed after the water production had commenced (see Fig 4.14). These shut-ins as well as other irregularities in production smear the WOR, and the WOR’ resulting in a lot of noise which would be difficult to diagnose (see Appendix B). The diagnosed channelling would seem to be the true diagnosis since, The Case Study seems to exhibit a layering system with the upper Main Body having higher permeability and therefore water is being channelled through the upper layers, Ezekwe (2010) 52 Field Diagnostic Plot 100 WOR and WOR' 10 1 0.1 WOR WOR' 0.01 0.001 0.0001 1000 10000 Time, Days Fig 4.25: Field Diagnostic Plot Diagnostic Plot (Well PR1) 1.00E+02 Changing slopes depicting layers of varying permeabilty WOR and WOR' 1.00E+01 1.00E+00 1.00E-01 wor wor' 1.00E-02 1.00E-03 1.00E-04 100 1000 10000 Time, Days Fig 4.26: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR1) 53 4.5 INJECTION WELL PERFORMANCE For successful water flooding to occur, the simple premise is that the rate at which water is injected is equal to the sum of the rate of oil displaced and water produced in reservoir barrels, Dake (1978). This implies that a premature water break through implies a reduced oil recovery. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the performance of the injectors. 4.5.1 SIMULATED INJECTION WELL PERFORMANCE Fig 4.27 and Fig 4.28 shows the simulated injection water rate with time. The pressure was kept constant and the injection rate regulated till the fill up point. Beyond the liquid fill-up, the injection rate was fairly constant. this implies that the reservoir pressure has been maintained. SIMULATED INJECTION RATE VERSUS TIME 60000 QWI (STB/D) 50000 40000 30000 20000 Pressure maintenance, therefore constant rate 10000 0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 TIME (DAYS) Fig 4.27: Simulated Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector SI1) 54 SIMULATED INJECTION RATE VERSUS TIME 60000 QWI (STB/D) 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 TIME (DAYS) Fig 4.28: Simulated Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector SI4) 4.5.2 FIELD WATER INJECTION PERFORMANCE Three injectors were analysed for performance. The injection pressure and rate with time are shown on Fig 4.29 through Fig 4.31. From Fig 4.29, initially, injection rate was kept fairly constant thereby increasing pressure; however, with time, injection pressure water rate such that a fill up point was not observed. Fig 4.30 shows a fairly constant pressure with time; however, there were some increases in the rate as against the decrease that is expected for constant pressure injection. Fill up was not observed. Fig 4.31 shows another constant pressure with declining injection rate but at approximately 2250 days, there was an increase in injection rate. This increase in rate with constant pressure is a pointer at fracturing. Therefore, these wells would be good candidates for diagnosis. The Hall and Hearn plots were used to diagnose these wells. 55 Injection Pressure and Rate with time 3000 4000 3000 2000 2500 1500 2000 1500 1000 Pressure, psi injection rate, STB/D 3500 (C) decrease in injection rate and pressure 2500 inj rate inj press 1000 500 500 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 0 Time, Days Fig 4.29: Well Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector F1) Injection Pressure and Rate with time (E)increase in injection rate with constant injection pressure 3000 4000 Injection rate, STB/D 3000 2000 2500 1500 2000 1500 1000 1000 500 Injection Pressure, psi 3500 2500 500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 0 Time, Days Fig 4.30: Well Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector F2) 56 inj rate inj press Injection Pressure and Rate with time 4000 3500 2500 3000 2000 2500 1500 2000 (E)Increase in injection rate with constant injection pressure 1500 1000 1000 500 Inlection Pressure, psi Injection Rate, STB/D 3000 inj rate inj press 500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 0 Time, Days Fig 4.31: Well Injection rate and pressure versus time (Injector F3) 4.6 INJECTION WELL DIAGNOSIS The diagnostic plots for the simulated wells are illustrated and the observed trends are used to diagnose the field data. The Hall’s method and the Hearn’s method are used to achieve this. 4.6.1 SIMULATED WATER INJECTION DIAGNOSIS From Fig 4.32 and Fig 4.33, the simulated injectors SI1 and SI4 was diagnosed with the Hall’s method which is the plot of cumulative (∆P)(∆t) with cumulative water injected. Both plots show a change in slope after an initial period. Apparently the initial slope moves to the fill up, after which pressure maintenance starts. This results in a change of the slope. These points are indicated in Fig 4.32 and Fig 4. 33. After pressure maintenance, a change in the slope would indicate either wellbore plugging (increase in slope) or fracture (decrease in slope). 57 Hall Plot, Injector SI1 Cumulative (∆P)(∆t), Psi-Day 2.50E+06 2.00E+06 Pressure maintenance 1.50E+06 Fill up 1.00E+06 5.00E+05 0.00E+00 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 Cumulative Water Injected, MSTB Fig 4.32: Simulated Well Hall Plot (Injector SI1) Hall Plot, Injector SI4 Cumulative (∆P)(∆t), Psi-Day 2.50E+06 Pressure maintenance 2.00E+06 1.50E+06 Fill up 1.00E+06 5.00E+05 0.00E+00 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 Cumulative Water Injected, MSTB Fig 4.33: Simulated Well Hall Plot (Injector S4) 58 25000 30000 4.6.2 FIELD WATER INJECTION DIAGNOSIS Figs 4.34 through Fig 4.36 show the Hall plot for injectors F1, F2 and F3. The Hall plot for the selected injection wells show different diagnostic trends that would affect the performance of the water flooding. Fig 4.34 shows the Hall Plot for injector well F1. In this plot, after the initial fill up (A), and pressure maintenance (B) for a period, there was a reduction in the slope which indicates extensive fracture. This could explain why there was reduction in both pressure and rate (C) for injector F1 in Fig4.29, shown earlier. A case where water injected is lost into the formation and pressure cannot be maintained. Both injector well F2 and F3, (Fig 4.35 and Fig 4.36 respectively) show an increase in the slope after the fill up (A) and pressure maintenance (B). This may indicate near wellbore plugging (D). This would explain why an increase in rate (E) observed earlier in rate and pressure-time plot (Fig 4.30) did not affect the constant pressure behaviour (Fig 4.31). Hall Plot Cumulative (∆P)(∆t), Psi-Days 5.00E+07 (C)Change in slope due to Extensive fracture 4.00E+07 3.00E+07 (B)Pressure maintenance 2.00E+07 1.00E+07 (A)Fill up 0.00E+00 0.00E+00 5.00E+05 1.00E+06 1.50E+06 Cumulative Water Injected, STB Fig 4.34: Well Hall Plot (Injector F1) 59 2.00E+06 2.50E+06 Hall Plot 3.00E+07 Cumulatve (∆P)(∆t), Psi-Days 2.50E+07 (D)Change in slope due to wellbore plugging 2.00E+07 (B)Pressure maintenance 1.50E+07 1.00E+07 (A)Fill up 5.00E+06 0.00E+00 0.0E+00 1.0E+06 2.0E+06 3.0E+06 4.0E+06 Cumulative Water injected, STB Fig 4.35: Well Hall Plot (Injector F2) Hall Plot Cumulative (∆P)(∆t), Psi-Days 3.50E+07 (D)Change in slope due to wellbore plugging 3.00E+07 2.50E+07 (B)Pressure maintenance 2.00E+07 1.50E+07 1.00E+07 (A)Fill up 5.00E+06 0.00E+00 0.E+00 2.E+05 4.E+05 6.E+05 8.E+05 Cumulative Water injected, STB Fig 4.36: Well Hall Plot (Injector F1) 60 1.E+06 1.E+06 Fig 4.37 shows the use of the Hearn plot to diagnose the injection well performance. Although, Fig 4.37 shows some trend, Fig E-1 and Fig E-2 (Appendix E) does not show any definite trend that can be diagnosed. At point F on Fig 4.37 there is an increase in slope which implies an increase in transmissibility possibly due to near wellbore fracturing. Thus, the Hearn plot is confirming the fracture observed earlier with the Hall plot. Hearn Plot Inverse Injectivity, ∆P/qw, Psi/BBL/D 0.5 0 -0.5 (F) Change in slope due to secondary permeability (fracture) -1 -1.5 -2 -2.5 -3 10000 100000 1000000 Cumulative Water injected, STB Fig 4.37: Well Hearn Plot (Injector F1) 61 10000000 4.7 GUIDELINES The following steps of guidelines are therefore suggested for the evaluation of water production mechanism. 1. Collect data frequently 2. Establish the workflow for the analysis of the data 3. Carry out the reservoir performance evaluation 4. Check for applicability of available methods 5. Carry out diagnoses (If there is reduced performance) 6. Combine diagnosis with logging 7. Treat the problem 8. Re-evaluate for the improvement of reservoir performance 9. Continue steps 1-8 till the end of production 62 CHAPTER 5 5.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The objectives of this work are to understand the application of various diagnostic plots to analyse water production problems and to identify water production mechanisms. The research is also aimed at developing a detailed workflow for water production evaluation to support reservoir management.. The workflow which uses numerical simulation and diagnostic plots was applied to analyse the water production and injection performance of an actual field case study. Based on the work presented in this study, the following conclusions were arrived at: Water production and injection characteristics of Case Study (MBB/W31S) were adequately diagnosed for both the production wells and the injection wells. For the producers in Case Study, a problem of multi-layered channelling was diagnosed. Some injection wells show near wellbore plugging while others show extensive near wellbore fracturing. The results of the Case Study validates the workflow proposed for diagnosing reservoir and near wellbore mechanisms controlling water production and injection characteristics in the field. For effective evaluation of water production and injection behaviour of wells in a reservoir, there is need to verify the applicability of any of the available diagnostic methods to the particular field of interest. This would ensure that accurate diagnoses are derived to provide the necessary information for planning water management programmes in the field. 63 5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are presented for future research work to improve the proposed methodology and results obtained in this study: A performance evaluation and diagnosis be carried out for the case study of gas production and guidelines be established for the mitigation of high GasOil ratios A fine grid scale and more representative reservoir model should be built of the Case Study to conduct a history match of the production and injection data to improve the diagnostic procedure developed in this study. There is a need to quantify the uncertainty and risk associated with the use of diagnostic plots, and this topic is proposed for further research. 64 REFERENCES 1. Bailey B, Crabtree M, Tyrie J, Elphick J, Kuchuk F, Romano C, Roodhart L, Water Control, Oilfield Review 12 (Spring 2000) 30-51. 2. Bondar Valentina, 1997, The Analysis and Interpretation of Water- Oil Ratio Performance in Petroleum Reservoir, Moscow State Academy of Oil and Gas, Russia 3. Chan, K.S.: Water Control Diagnostic Plots, paper SPE 30775, SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, October 22-25 4. Dake L. P 1978 Fundamentals of Reservoir Engineering Elsevier Publishing, Amsterdan, Netherlands, pp 345-348 5. Ershaghi, I. And Omoregie, O. A method for Extrapolation of water cut versus recovery plots”, JPT (February 1978), 203-204 6. Ershaghi, I. and Abdassah, D. A Prediction Technique for Immiscible Processes Using Field Performance Data, JPT (April 1984), 664-670 7. Ezekwe Nnaemeka, 2010 Petroleum Reservoir Engineering Practice, Prentice Hall Publishing Company, pp 728-734 8. Fetkovich M. J. ”Decline Curve Analysis using Type Curve” SPE 04629 (10671077) 9. http://karl.nrcce.wvu.edu/ (downloaded 25/10/2010). 10. Jarrel P. M. and Stein M. H. 1991 Maximizing Injection Rates in Wells Recently Converted to Injection Using Hearn and Hall Plots. Paper SPE 21724 presented at the SPE Petroleum Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma April 7-9 11. Lawal K. A. And Utin E. 2007, A didactic analysis of water cut trend during exponential Oil decline. Paper SPE 111920 Presented at the 31 st Nigeria Annual International Conference, Abuja, Nigeria August 6-8 12. Reynolds R. R, “Produced water and associated Issue”, Petroleum Technology Transfer Council, 2003. 65 13. Satter A. and Thakur G.C., 1994 Integrated Petroleum Reservoir Management, A team approach, PennWell Publishing Company 14. SENSOR Compositional and Black Oil Simulation Software, 2009, Coats Engineering. http://www.CoatsEngineering.com 15. Seright, R.S.: “Improved Methods for Water Shutoff,” Annual Technical Progress Report (U.S. DOE Report DOE/PC/91008-4), U.S. DOE Contract DE-AC22-94PC91008, BDM-Oklahoma Subcontract G4S60330 (Nov. 1997) . 16. Spivey J.P, Gatens J.M, Semmelbeck M.E and Lee W.J. 1992 Integral Type Curves for Advanced Decline Curve Analysis” Paper 24301 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference, Mid-Amarillo, Texas, DOI, 1992. 66 APPENDIX-A: NOMENCLATURE ᶲ = Porosity, fraction µ =viscosity, cp µw = viscosity of water, cp qi = Initial rate, STB/D q = rate, STB/D B = Formation Volume Factor, rb/STB t = time, days h = Reservoir thickness fw = water cut, fraction ER = Recovery K = permeability, mD tD = Dimensionless time qD = Dimensionless rate RD = Dimensionless radius Ct = total compressibility, 1/psi PI = Initial Reservoir pressure, psi Pwf = Bottom hole Flowing Pressure 67 APPENDIX-B: CASE STUDY ONE OIL RATE AND WATER RATE PLOTS Production Rate with time (Well PR2) 14000 Oil and Water rate, STB/D 12000 10000 Shut-in 8000 oilrate 6000 oil rate equals water rate 4000 water rate 2000 0 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 Time, MMYY Fig B-1: Well production rate versus time (Well PR2) Production Rate with Time (Well PR3) 14000 Oil and Water Rate, STB/D 12000 10000 8000 6000 oil rate Shut-in water rate 4000 2000 0 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 Time, Days Fig B-2: Well production rate versus time (Well PR3) 68 10000 Production Rate with Time (Well PR4) 14000 Oil and Water Rate , STB/D 12000 10000 8000 oil rate equals water rate WATER RATE 6000 Shut-in OIL RATE 4000 2000 0 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 Time, Days Fig B-3: Well production rate versus time (Well PR4) Oil Cut with Production time (Well PR3) Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 Time, Days Fig B-4: Well Oil cut versus Production time (Well PR3) 69 8000 9000 Oil Cut with Production time (Well PR4) Oil Cut 100% 10% 1% 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 Time, Days Fig B-5: Well Oil cut versus Production time (Well PR4) Water Cut with Cumulative Production (Well PR3) 100.00% Water Cut High water cut linear trend 10.00% General water cut trend 1.00% 20.000 25.000 30.000 35.000 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig B-6: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR3) 70 40.000 Water Cut with Cumulative Production (Well PR4) 100.00% Water Cut High water cut linear trend 10.00% General water cut trend 1.00% 10.000 15.000 20.000 25.000 30.000 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig B-7: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR4) Water Cut with Cumulative Production (Well PR2) Water Cut 100.00% 10.00% 1.00% 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0 55.0 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig B-8: Well Water cut versus Cumulative Production (Well PR2) 71 60.0 APPENDIX C– CASE STUDY ONE X-PLOT X PLOT, Well PR3 3.5000 y = 0.4693x - 14.404 X 3.0000 2.5000 2.0000 34.000 36.000 38.000 Cumulative Oil Production, MMSTBO Fig C-1: Well X-Plot (Well PR3) X PLOT Well PR4 4.0000 y = 0.303x - 4.2872 X 3.5000 3.0000 2.5000 2.0000 20.000 22.000 24.000 CUMULATIVE PRODUCTION, MMSTBO Fig C-2: Well X-Plot (Well PR4) 72 26.000 X PLOT, Well PR2 2.5000 y = 0.8923x - 30.864 2.4000 X 2.3000 2.2000 2.1000 2.0000 36.500 37.000 Cumulative Oil Production , MMSTBO Fig C-3: Well X-Plot (Well PR2) 73 37.500 APPENDIX D– CASE STUDY ONE DIAGNOSTIC PLOTS Diagnostic Plot (Well PR3) 100 WOR and WOR' 10 1 0.1 wor wor' 0.01 0.001 0.0001 1000 10000 Time, Days Fig D-1: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR3) Diagnostic Plot (Well PR4) 100 WOR AND WOR' 10 1 0.1 WOR WOR' 0.01 0.001 0.0001 1000 10000 TIME, DAYS Fig D-2: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR4) 74 DIAGNOSTIC PLOT (Well PR2) 100 WOR and WOR' 10 1 0.1 wor wor' 0.01 0.001 0.0001 1000 10000 Time, Days Fig D-3: Well Diagnostic Plot (Well PR2) 75 APPENDIX E – CASE STUDY ONE INJECTION WELL DIAGNOSTIC PLOTS Hearn Plot Inverse Injectivity, ∆P/qw, PSI/STB/D 0.35 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.15 0.1 0.05 0 100000 1000000 10000000 Cumulatve water injected, STB Fig E-1: Hearn Plot (Well Injector F2) Hearn Plot Inverse injectivity, ∆P/qw, Psi/STB/D 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 10000 100000 Cumulative Water Injected, STB Fig E-2: Hearn Plot (Well injector F3) 76 1000000