History Matching of Multiple Wells With Actual Downhole ICD Configuration in a Five-Spot Pattern Reservoir Development

Abstract

Downhole control devices are being widely implemented in fields globally; and, because of the costs involved in their implementation, a robust reservoir performance forecast is necessary. A prerequisite to a sound reservoir development plan is to have a robust history-matched reservoir simulation model. This study involves use of a downhole inflow control device (ICD) well configuration in the reservoir simulation model to perform history matching of a green-field offshore Abu Dhabi. The results of this approach are compared to the results from traditional approaches. The scope of this study is to examine the differences in both history match approaches. Reservoir A is one of the major reservoirs of a green-field located offshore Abu Dhabi, and is being developed with a five-spot water injection pattern. The producers and water injectors are horizontal wells, which are drilled across different flow units within the reservoir. Because the reservoir is heterogeneous across all the flow units, the injection pattern results in a non-uniform water front. The conventional approach to history matching the well performance is to implement a positive skin factor across the well completions to mimic the effect of the inflow control devices (ICDs) installed in the well: increasing the pressure drop (ΔP) between the formation and the well tubing. In this study, the actual downhole configuration was prepared using well-completion analysis software, followed by use of a next-generation reservoir simulator to run the full field reservoir model for the history matching period. As the field is being developed on the principles of digital concept, continuous high-frequency downhole pressure data is available in flowing as well as shut-in conditions. The use of this data, coupled with direct modeling of the ICDs in the simulation model, resulted in a significant improvement in the reliability of the history match, as compared to traditional approaches. This study compares two history matching approaches for fields with wells completed with downhole control devices. The core purpose of this study is to integrate the principles of the digital oil field with conventional history matching techniques, with the ultimate goal of improving the history match.