A Novel Fracture Characterization Approach: Mini-DST Using a Wireline Formation Tester

Widjaja, Danang R.; Alhuthali, Ahmed; Guerrero, Rodolfo Phillips; Lyngra, Stig; Rourke, Marvin

doi:10.2118/136917-ms

All Days 2010

DOI: 10.2118/136917-ms

|View full text |Cite

A Novel Fracture Characterization Approach: Mini-DST Using a Wireline Formation Tester

Danang R. Widjaja

Ahmed Alhuthali

Rodolfo Phillips Guerrero

et al.

Abstract: A good understanding of the fracture characteristics is essential for a successful development of a tight, heavily fractured reservoir. The fractures play a major role for both reservoir fluid flow and well productivity. An efficient fracture characterization is required to understand the recovery mechanism, which is critical for field development and optimal production strategy decisions. It is imperative that state-of-the-art dual-porosity/dual-permeability models are populated with accurate fracture descrip… Show more

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2011

2016

Publication Types

Select...

Other5

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent5

Authors

Journals

Cited by 7 publications

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

A Holistic Approach to Detect and Characterize Fractures in a Mature Middle Eastern Oil Field

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Naturally fractured reservoirs are recognized as challenging reservoirs to manage. The appropriate balance between production at acceptable oil rate and attaining high ultimate oil recovery is often difficult to find in these reservoirs. A good understanding of the fracture systems is essential for a successful development since the fractures significantly impact reservoir fluid flow and well productivity. Additionally, accurate fracture description in reservoir models is critical for reliable production forecasts. The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate a holistic approach to detect and characterize fractures in a mature oil field in the Middle East. The study was conducted by analyzing the dynamic data, such as production, reservoir pressure, pressure transient analysis (PTA), production logs, water salinity, drilling mud losses and image logs. The study results included evidence of fracture impact on field behavior, inter-reservoir communication and fracture properties quantification leading to recommendations for future reservoir management strategy and further development. The evidence of fracture impact on field behavior was evaluated through extensive analysis of well performance of more than 300 wells. The field consists of two reservoirs separated by a thick nonpermeable zone. The Upper reservoir is prolific, while the Lower reservoir is relatively tight and highly fractured. The communication between the two reservoirs was investigated by comparing Lower reservoir wells with the neighboring wells in the Upper reservoir. All available data were taken into account, including the production gas-oil ratio (GOR), reservoir pressure, and water cut profile and produced water salinity, as well as water breakthrough time. A material balance approach was utilized to confirm and quantify the communication between the two reservoirs. Data integration enabled deriving a series of probable links between the two reservoirs used for constructing representative fractures maps. Fracture conductivity was quantified using both pressure transient interpretation and production log results. The reservoir management team has utilized the study outcome to re-engineer the well architecture in both reservoirs. Additionally, active measures are taken to improve oil recovery from both reservoirs.

show abstract

A Holistic Approach to Detect and Characterize Fractures in a Mature Middle Eastern Oil Field

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

A Pressure Transient Approach for Dynamic Characterization of a Giant Carbonate Middle Eastern Oil Field

et al. 2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper presents a comprehensive pressure transient analyses (PTA) based dynamic reservoir characterization of a mature giant carbonate oil field. An important part of an integrated reservoir study is to reconcile differences between the static and dynamic models. In this study, a large number of well tests were analyzed and integrated with other field data. The current study highlights the paramount importance of PTA for a refined reservoir description, including permeability modeling and characterizing intersecting or nonintersecting conductive fractures and faults across the field. This well tests data review has also broadened the field dynamics understanding along with the strengths of the synergic multidisciplinary approach as the PTA data is integrated with other reservoir characterization data types. The subject field is composed of two naturally fractured reservoirs separated by a thick non-permeable zone. The Upper reservoir is prolific, while the Lower reservoir is relatively tight and highly fractured. Early pressure data confirms communication between the two reservoirs through several large scale fractures crossing the thick non-permeable zone. For the purpose of this study, the field has been divided into several areas, with representative well data from both the Upper and Lower reservoirs. Pressure buildups from multi-well groups, generally conducted as single-phase (before water breakthrough), were analyzed by advanced analytical and/or numerical models. The selected interpretation model was dependent on the reservoir complexities diagnosed from the derivative plots. The analyses provided valuable well parameters, such as flow capacities and productivity indices, which are critical as input for permeability modeling and simulation model history-matching. Subsequently, equally important is the detection of reservoir description events that can be observed from the PTA response, e.g., areas of inter-reservoir communication, super permeability zones or quantification of fracture characteristic parameters. The presented case study includes well examples of the major observed field reservoir features.

show abstract

Vertical Cased Producers Outperform Horizontal Wells in a Complex Naturally Fractured Low Permeability Reservoir

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper is a case study for a complex highly fractured low matrix permeability reservoir. The material presented demonstrates that understanding the fracture influence on reservoir fluid flow is essential for successful development and reservoir management of this type of naturally fractured reservoir. Several well examples are offered illustrating the paramount importance of completion strategy with increased reservoir maturity to enhance matrix oil recovery and minimize natural fracture network water production. The case study reservoir was initially developed with a small number of vertical cased, perforated and stimulated producers produced at a restricted total off take rate and pressure supported by peripheral water injection. The next development phase was the drilling of single lateral horizontal producers completed open hole with approximately 1 km of reservoir contact. In earlier stages of production, both vertical and horizontal well completion types performed well as the natural fractures were oil filled. As water moved towards a structurally higher position due to natural fracture system depletion, the open hole completions became a major water production source. Subsequently, a revision of the well completion strategy was required to minimize the water encroachment through the fracture system with the intent to maximize matrix oil recovery and also resolve well lifting problems. This paper presents the production performance review that followed after recompletion of the existing open horizontal wells with perforated liners or special equipment, such as stage stimulation completions. The production performance data from the recompleted horizontal wells are compared to well production performance of the original and some newly drilled cased, perforated and stimulated vertical producers. In this case, it is apparent that simplicity wins and the vertical well solution is the optimum well strategy for future development.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

A Novel Fracture Characterization Approach: Mini-DST Using a Wireline Formation Tester

Cited by 7 publications

References 6 publications

A Holistic Approach to Detect and Characterize Fractures in a Mature Middle Eastern Oil Field

A Holistic Approach to Detect and Characterize Fractures in a Mature Middle Eastern Oil Field

A Pressure Transient Approach for Dynamic Characterization of a Giant Carbonate Middle Eastern Oil Field

Vertical Cased Producers Outperform Horizontal Wells in a Complex Naturally Fractured Low Permeability Reservoir

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About