Summary
Performance prediction of wells producing from tight (microdarcy) formations
is a daunting task. Complexities of geology (the presence/absence of naturally
occurring fractures and contribution from different lithological layers),
completion and fracture geometry complexities (multiple transverse or
longitudinal fractures in long horizontal boreholes), and two-phase flow are
impediments to simple performance forecasting.
We demonstrate the use of various analytical and numerical tools to learn
about both short- and long-term reservoir behaviours. These tools include (a)
traditional decline-curve analysis (Arps 1945), (b) Valko's
stretched-exponential (SE) method (Valko 2009), (c) the Ilk et al. (2008, 2010)
power-law exponential (PLE) method, (d) rate-transient-analysis (RTA) and
transient-PI analyses to ascertain the stimulated-reservoir volume (SRV), and
(e) numerical-simulation studies to gain insights into observed flow
regimes.
The benefits of collective use of analytical modelling tools in history
matching and forecasting both short- and long-term production performance of
tight oil reservoirs are demonstrated with the use of real and simulated data.
Diagnosing natural fractures, quantifying stimulated-reservoir volume, and
assessing reliability of future performance predictions all became feasible by
using an ensemble of analytical tools.
© 2011. Society of Petroleum Engineers
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History
- Original manuscript received:
3 November 2010
- Meeting paper published:
20 October 2010
- Revised manuscript received:
29 December 2010
- Manuscript approved:
30 December 2010
- Published online:
27 April 2011
- Version of record:
2 May 2011
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