Recovery of retrograde condensate from naturally fractured condensate-gas reservoirs
This paper considers the flow behaviour of retrograde condensate in naturally fractured gas condensate reservoirs, and the possibility of recovering part of the condensate by gravity drainage. A geologically realistic model for strongly folded and faulted carbonate structures is assumed: a stratified reservoir with permeable layers between impermeable barriers, cut by a system of vertical open fractures. Two analytical flow models are presented that describe retrograde condensation and subsequent condensate drainage within the fractures and within the matrix rock, respectively. In both models, capillary phenomena at the fracture walls are taken into account. The models are applied to calculate the potential for retrograde condensate recovery in the Waterton reservoir (Alberta, Canada). In this gas-condensate reservoir, condensate may have accumulated by gravity drainage, as indicated by some production tests. The calculated results are in agreement with the observations: for fracture density, matrix permeability and reservoir-layer thickness typical of the Waterton reservoir, a small part of the retrograde liquid will indeed accumulate within a practical time span. Condensate accumulation and recovery will significantly increase if the reservoir pressure is restored e.g. by lean gas or nitrogen injection.
- OSTI ID:
- 5464211
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-820927-
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE11199; ISSN SEAPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
030900* -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
ALBERTA
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
CALCULATION METHODS
CANADA
CAPILLARY FLOW
CARBONATE ROCKS
ELEMENTS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FIELD TESTS
FLOW MODELS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
GAS CONDENSATE FIELDS
GAS CONDENSATE WELLS
GAS INJECTION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MINERAL RESOURCES
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
STIMULATION
STRATIFICATION
TESTING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS