CHAPTER2 DESCRIPTION OF THE RESOURCE The Department of Energy has defined Class 4 for the cost-shared oil recovery field demonstration program as strandplain/banier island reservoirs. This depositionally defied class of reservoirs represents a significant portion of the Nation's oil resource, as described in the DOE Tertiary O i l Recovery Information System (I'ORIS). The purpose of Chapter 2 is to present an overview of the reservoir, production, and geological characteristics of Class 4 reservoirs. Section 2.1 descriies the overall strandplain/banier island resource in the country based on an analysis of 330 Class 4 reservoirs listed in the TORIS database. Section 2.2 describes the general geological characteristics of strandplai4barrier island reservoirs based on a comprehensive review of the relevant geological literature. Section 2.3 presents an overview of the major Class 4 plays in the United States and includes summaries of the resource, reservoir, and production characteristics, as well as a summary of the recovery processes that have been used in these plays. The major plays are described in detail in Chapters 3 through 6. This facies, dong with the often overlying eolian facies, discussed below, constitutes the best reservoir rock associated with strandplainbarrier island systems.

No abstract

This paper was wepared fw pmsantatlon at me 1996 SPE Eastern Regional Meahng bald In Columbus, Oh!o, 22-25 Octo&r 1996Tfus papar was wlected for pe.ent.ation by the SPE Program CommtlW following r.wew of information ccatained in an abstract submitted bj tie author(s). Contwms of the paper as presemad have not been revwmd by tfw Society of Petroleum Engmers and are sutjact to wracfion try the aufhom. The nmtenal, a6 pre6ented, dm not necessarily refiea any P06itIcm of the Soueiy of Petroleum Engmaera of its members PapaK pfesanted at SPE mecmngs are subject to pubiicatim r6view by Ed!t.wal Commdtea of Somty of Petroleum Enginaars Permiswon to cqy is restricted m an abstractof no! more than 300 vmfds. Mustrations may not be copied The atsuacl shodd ccmain CLWWPICUOUS acknwded~ent of where and by Wmm the paper was pfeaented Wme Lhrana, SPE, P.O 60X 6333636, Rcmardson. TX 75062-3636, U S A, f6x 01.214 .S52%35 AbstractThe potential benefits of reservoir management are beginning to be recognized, and many operators are becoming interested in cost-effectively applying reservoir management concepts. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has implemented a Reservoir Management Demonstration Program of cooperative research and development projects to encourage operators with limited resources and experience to learn, implement, and disperse sound reservoir management techniques.From work accomplished in the context of these projects, several characteristics of reservoir management have emerged. The reservoir management process is cyclic and consists primarily of the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of a reservoir management plan generally designed to maximize the profitability of a reservoir. Success in developing an appropriate reservoir management plan requires a knowledge of(1) the reservoir system, including rocks, fluids, wellbores, and surface facilities; (2) the technologies available to describe, analyze, and exploit the reservoir; and (3) the reservoir management business environment. Monitoring activities include maintaining an awareness of changes in various aspects of reservoir performance, technology, and the business environment. Such changes trigger the need for reevaluation and/or revision of reservoir management plans.Two projects in progress in the DOE program illustrate the diversity of situations suited for interdisciplinary efforts in developing reservoir management plans. One project, the East Soebty Of PetrObUn En@eeraRandolph Field Project, is in a small, newly discovered oil reservoir in the sandstones of the Cambrian Rose Run Formation of eastern Ohio. The other, the Citronella Field Project, is in a large mature waterflood in sandstones of the Cretaceous Rodessa Formation in south Alabama. The contrasting contexts of these projects provides a proving ground to gain insight into the general procedures for formulating reservoir management plans.

No abstract

The Department of Energy's (DOE's) Oil Recovery Field Demonstration Program was initiated in 1992 to maximize the economically and environmentally sound recovery of oil from known domestic reservoirs and to preserve access to this resource. Cost-shared field demonsixation projects are being Misted in geologically defined reservoir classes which have been prioritized by their potential for incremental recovery and their risk of abandonment. This document defines the characteristics of the fifth geological reservoir class in the series, fluvial/alluvial reservoirs.The reservoirs of Class 5 include deposits of alluvial fans, braided streams, and meandering slxeams. Deposit morphologies vary as a complex function of climate and tectonics and are characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity to fluid flow as a result of exlmrne variations in water energy as the deposits formed.Eighty four Class 5 reservoirs in the DOE's Tertiary Oil Recovery Information System (TONS) database contain a total of 39 billionbarrels of original oilinplace (OOIP) or about 11% of the 360 billion barrels of 00IP in United States reservoirs listed in TOWS. Using the TONS database and its predictive and economic models, the recovery potential which could result from future application of improved oil recovery technologies was estimated to be between 228 million and 4.4 billion barrels, depending on oil price and the level of technology advancement. As much as 43!%of this potentially recoverable oil maybe abandoned by the year 2000 if immediate action is not taken. TORIS analysis and review of past industry experience with improved recovq applications in Class 5 reservoim indicated that the following processes, in order of decreasing importance, have the greatest potential for improving recovery from Class 5 reservoirs (1) Mill drillin~especially when used in conjunction with profile modification. and/or polymer floodi.rg (2) steam processes; (3) in situ combustion; (4) C02 miscible processes; (5) alkaline f100dS; and (6) surfactant f100dS.Efficient reservoir management through selecting the most suitable improved recovery process and applying it correctly, optirrdy, and in a manner consistent with the properties of the reservoiq can also contribute to increased recovery. Class 5 reservoirs will benefit from research associated with general reservoir characterization technologies and methodologies, but Class 5 reservoirs also have a need for very specific reservoir characterization models for individual reservoirs, plays, and basins. Such models addressing depositional, &genetic, tectonic, and fluid aspects of Class 5 reservoirs, will enable an increase in the predictability of the results from improved oil recovery process applications. Other identified areas of research and development that may have a positive influence on Class 5 recoveries include reservoir simulation, wellbore and facilities, and environmental considerations. Environmental research needs include demonstration of cost-effective waste management practices and demo...