Mapping steam and water flow in petroleum reservoirs
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (United States)
- Aera Energy LLC, Bakersfield, CA (United States)
- Chevron U.S.A. Production Co., Bakersfield, CA (United States)
During the past 5 years, the authors have applied high-resolution geophysical methods [crosswell seismic and electromagnetics (EM) and passive seismic] to map and characterize petroleum reservoirs in the San Joaquin Valley and to monitor changes during secondary-recovery operations. The two techniques provide complementary information. Seismic data reveal the reservoir structure, whereas EM measurements are more sensitive to the pore-fluid distribution. Seismic surveys at the South Belridge field were used to map fracture generation and monitor formation changes caused by the onset of steamflooding. Early results show possible sensitivity to changes in gas saturation caused by the steamflooding. Crosswell EM surveys were applied at a shallow pilot at Los Hills for reservoir characterization and steamflood monitoring. Images made from baseline data clearly show the distribution of the target oil sands; repeated surveys during the steamflood allowed the authors to identify the boundaries of the steam chest and to predict breakthrough accurately. Applications of the EM techniques in steel-cased wells are at an early stage, but preliminary results at Los Hills show sensitivity to formation resistivity in a waterflood pilot.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 549424
- Journal Information:
- SPE Reservoir Engineering, Journal Name: SPE Reservoir Engineering Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 12; ISSN 0885-9248; ISSN SREEEF
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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