An integrated procedure for reservoir connectivity study between neighboring fields

Abstract

Reservoir connectivity has a considerable effect on reservoir characterization, plans for field developments and production forecasts. Reducing the uncertainties about the lateral and vertical extension of different pay zones is the main step in developing and managing the reservoirs. Nearly all the proposed methodologies for the verification of reservoir connectivity are limited to the study of the communication of different compartments in one field. In the presented paper, first a comprehensive procedure is proposed to study the reservoir connectivity between nearby fields. The steps in this procedure are not necessarily hierarchy, but all the considerations in each step are studied to cover all the uncertainties that affect the reservoir communication. This procedure mainly comprises the study of reservoir extension, pressure communication in the hydrocarbon column, fluid similarity, top seal efficiency and faults sealing. Then, to apply this procedure for proving the communication between nearby fields, a case study of Ilam Formation in southwest of Iran is presented. The results confirm the lateral connectivity of the three pre-explored distinctive oil fields in Ilam Formation. The established connectivity leads to an increase in the pre-estimated oil-in-place volumes. This incorporated case study demonstrates how different data including geophysics, structural and petroleum geology, production and reservoir engineering are integrated to prove the communication of Ilam reservoir between these fields. This manifested technique is a powerful road map for other cases worldwide and is extremely recommended to be performed before developing those fields that are suspicious to lateral connectivity.