Quick evaluation of multiple geostatistical models using upscaling with coarse grids: A practical study
- Institut Francais du Petrole and ELF/IFP Helios Group, Pau (France)
In field delineation phase, uncertainty in hydrocarbon reservoir descriptions is large. To quickly examine the impact of this uncertainty on production performance, it is necessary to evaluate a large number of descriptions in relation to possible production methods (well spacing, injection rate, etc.). The method of using coarse upscaled models was first proposed by Ballin. Unlike other methods (connectivity analysis, tracer simulations), it considers parameters such as PVT, well management, etc. After a detailed review of upscaling issues, applications to water-injection cases (either with balance or imbalance of production, with or without aquifer) and to depletion of an oil reservoir with aquifer coning are presented. Much more important than the method of permeability upscaling far from wells, the need of correct upscaling of numerical well representation is pointed out Methods are proposed to accurately represent fluids volumes in coarse models. Simple methods to upscale relative permeabilities, and methods to efficiently correct numerical dispersion are proposed. Good results are obtained for water injection. The coarse upscaling method allows the performance of sensitivity analyses on model parameters at a much lower CPU cost than comprehensive simulations. Models representing extreme behaviors can be easily distinguished. For depletion of an oil reservoir showing aquifer coning, however, the method did not work property. It is our opinion that further research is required for upscaling close to wells. We therefore recombined this method for practical use in the case of water injection.
- Research Organization:
- BDM Corp., Bartlesville, OK (United States); American Association Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, OK (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 508531
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970317-; ON: DE97004613; TRN: 97:003410-0039
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 4. international reservoir characterization technical conference, Houston, TX (United States), 2-4 Mar 1997; Other Information: PBD: [1997]; Related Information: Is Part Of 4. International reservoir characterization technical conference; PB: 726 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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