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Title: Application of reservoir characterization and advanced technology to improve recovery and economics in a lower quality shallow shelf San Andres reservoir. Quarterly progress report, April 1--June 30, 1997

Abstract

The Class 2 Project at West Welch was designed to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies to enhance the economics of improved oil recovery (IOR) projects in lower quality Shallow Shelf Carbonate (SSC) reservoirs, resulting in recovery of additional oil that would otherwise be left in the reservoir at project abandonment. Accurate reservoir description is critical to the effective evaluation and efficient design of IOR projects in the heterogeneous SSC reservoirs. Therefore, the majority of Budget Period 1 was devoted to reservoir characterization. Technologies being demonstrated include: advanced petrophysics; three-dimensional seismic; cross-well bore tomography; advanced reservoir simulation; CO{sub 2} stimulation treatments; hydraulic fracturing design and monitoring; and mobility control agents. During the quarter, cross well seismic work continued, using the revised processing software. The validity of the seismic-guided mapping was confirmed by the drilling of a well. Revised CO{sub 2} performance projects were run using the enhanced geologic model in which the seismic data had been incorporated. Facilities for supplying and distributing CO{sub 2} to the area were designed and bids solicited for the materials and construction.

Authors:
; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oxy USA Inc., Midland, TX (United States); T. Scott Hickman and Associates, Midland, TX (United States); Advanced Reservoir Technologies, Addison, TX (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
661341
Report Number(s):
DOE/BC/14990-16
ON: DE98003873; TRN: AHC29814%%10
DOE Contract Number:
FC22-94BC14990
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 30 Jul 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; PROGRESS REPORT; OIL FIELDS; CARBON DIOXIDE INJECTION; RESERVOIR ENGINEERING; ENHANCED RECOVERY; PETROLEUM; SITE CHARACTERIZATION; SEISMIC SURVEYS; WELL DRILLING; GEOLOGIC MODELS; WELL INJECTION EQUIPMENT

Citation Formats

Taylor, A.R., Hickman, T.S., and Justice, J.J. Application of reservoir characterization and advanced technology to improve recovery and economics in a lower quality shallow shelf San Andres reservoir. Quarterly progress report, April 1--June 30, 1997. United States: N. p., 1997. Web. doi:10.2172/661341.
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Taylor, A.R., Hickman, T.S., & Justice, J.J. Application of reservoir characterization and advanced technology to improve recovery and economics in a lower quality shallow shelf San Andres reservoir. Quarterly progress report, April 1--June 30, 1997. United States. doi:10.2172/661341.
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Taylor, A.R., Hickman, T.S., and Justice, J.J. Wed . "Application of reservoir characterization and advanced technology to improve recovery and economics in a lower quality shallow shelf San Andres reservoir. Quarterly progress report, April 1--June 30, 1997". United States. doi:10.2172/661341. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/661341.
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@article{osti_661341,
title = {Application of reservoir characterization and advanced technology to improve recovery and economics in a lower quality shallow shelf San Andres reservoir. Quarterly progress report, April 1--June 30, 1997},
author = {Taylor, A.R. and Hickman, T.S. and Justice, J.J.},
abstractNote = {The Class 2 Project at West Welch was designed to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies to enhance the economics of improved oil recovery (IOR) projects in lower quality Shallow Shelf Carbonate (SSC) reservoirs, resulting in recovery of additional oil that would otherwise be left in the reservoir at project abandonment. Accurate reservoir description is critical to the effective evaluation and efficient design of IOR projects in the heterogeneous SSC reservoirs. Therefore, the majority of Budget Period 1 was devoted to reservoir characterization. Technologies being demonstrated include: advanced petrophysics; three-dimensional seismic; cross-well bore tomography; advanced reservoir simulation; CO{sub 2} stimulation treatments; hydraulic fracturing design and monitoring; and mobility control agents. During the quarter, cross well seismic work continued, using the revised processing software. The validity of the seismic-guided mapping was confirmed by the drilling of a well. Revised CO{sub 2} performance projects were run using the enhanced geologic model in which the seismic data had been incorporated. Facilities for supplying and distributing CO{sub 2} to the area were designed and bids solicited for the materials and construction.},
doi = {10.2172/661341},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jul 30 00:00:00 EDT 1997},
month = {Wed Jul 30 00:00:00 EDT 1997}
}
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Technical Report:
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DOI:  10.2172/661341
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  • ; ;
    The Class 2 Project at West Welch was designed to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies to enhance the economics of improved oil recovery (IOR) projects in lower quality Shallow Shelf Carbonate (SSC) reservoirs, resulting in recovery of additional oil that would otherwise be left in the reservoir at project abandonment. Accurate reservoir description is critical to the effective evaluation and efficient design of IOR projects in the heterogeneous SSC reservoirs. Therefore, the majority of Budget Period 1 was devoted to reservoir characterization. Technologies being demonstrated include: advanced petrophysics; three-dimensional seismic; cross-well bore tomography; advanced reservoir simulation; CO{sub 2} stimulationmore » treatments; hydraulic fracturing design and monitoring; and mobility control agents. During the quarter, the project area was expanded to include an area where the seismic attribute mapping indicated potential for step-out locations. Progress was made on interpreting the crosswell seismic data and the CO{sub 2} performance simulation was further improved. Construction of facilities required for CO{sub 2} injection were completed.« less

  • ; ;
    West Welch Unit is one of four large waterflood units in the Welch Field in the northwestern portion of Dawson County, Texas. The Welch Field produces oil under a solution gas drive mechanism from the San Andres formation at approximately 4,800 ft. The field has been under waterflood for 30 years and a significant portion has been infill-drilled on 20-ac density. A 1982--86 pilot CO{sub 2} injection project in the offsetting South Welch Unit yielded positive results. Recent installation of a CO{sub 2} pipeline near the field allowed the phased development of a miscible CO{sub 2} injection project at themore » South Welch Unit. The Class 2 Project at West Welch was designed to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies to enhance the economics of improved oil recovery (IOR) projects in lower quality Shallow Shelf Carbonate (SSC) reservoirs, resulting in recovery of additional oil that would otherwise be left in the reservoir at project abandonment. Accurate reservoir description is critical to the effective evaluation and efficient design of IOR projects in the heterogeneous SSC reservoirs. Therefore, the majority of Budget Period 1 was devoted to reservoir characterization. Technologies being demonstrated include: advanced petrophysics; three-dimensional seismic; cross-well bore tomography; advanced reservoir simulation; CO{sub 2} stimulation treatments; hydraulic fracturing design and monitoring; and mobility control agents. During the quarter, development of the project`s south expansion area was undertaken, work was continued on interpreting the crosswell seismic data and CO{sub 2} injection into 11 wells was initiated.« less

  • ; ;
    The Class 2 Project at West Welch was designed to demonstrate the use of advanced technologies to enhance the economics of improved oil recovery (IOR) projects in lower quality Shallow Shelf Carbonate (SSC) reservoirs, resulting in recovery of additional oil that would otherwise be left in the reservoir at project abandonment. Accurate reservoir description is critical to the effective evaluation and efficient design of IOR projects in the heterogeneous-SSC reservoirs. Therefore, the majority of Budget Period 1 was devoted to reservoir characterization. Technologies being demonstrated include: advanced petrophysics; three-dimensional seismic; cross-well bore tomography; advanced reservoir simulation; carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2})more » stimulation treatments; hydraulic fracturing design and monitoring; and mobility control agents. During the quarter, simulation history matching was made using the seismic integrated geologic model. Cross well seismic work continued, using the revised processing software.« less

  • West Welch Unit is one of four large waterflood units in the Welch Field located in the Northwestern portion of Dawson County, Texas. The Welch Field was discovered in the early 1940`s and produces oil under a solution gas drive mechanism from the San Andres formation at approximately 4800 ft. The field has been under waterflood for 30 years and a significant portion has been infill drilled on 20-ac density. A 1982-86 Pilot CO{sub 2} injection project in the offsetting South Welch Unit yielded positive results. The recent installation of a CO{sub 2} pipeline near the field allowed the phasedmore » development of a miscible CO{sub 2} injection project at the South Welch Unit. The reservoir quality is poorer at the West Welch Unit due to its relative position to sea level during deposition. Because of the proximity of a CO{sub 2} source and the CO{sub 2} operating experience that would be available from the South Welch Unit, West Welch Unit is an ideal location for demonstrating methods for enhancing economics of IOR projects in lower quality SSC reservoirs. This Class 2 project concentrates on the efficient design of a miscible CO{sub 2} project based on detailed reservoir characterization from advanced petrophysics, 3-D seismic interpretations and cross wellbore tomography interpretations. During the quarter, work continued on the simulation history match using only the base geologic model generated from available wellbore data. Tomography processing methods were further refined and 3-D surface seismic data was 1115 reprocessed to increase the frequency and decrease the bin size.« less

  • ; ;
    The Oxy West Welch Project is designed to demonstrate how the use of advanced technology can improve the economics of miscible CO{sub 2} injection projects in lower quality shallow shelf carbonate reservoirs. The research and development phase (Budget Period 1) primarily involved advanced reservoir characterization. The current demonstration phase (Budget Period 2) will implement the reservoir management plan for an optimum miscible CO{sub 2} flood design based on the reservoir characterization. Although Budget Period 1 officially ended 12/31/96, reservoir characterization and optimum flood design has continued into the first part of Budget Period 2. Specifically, the geologic model was enhancedmore » by integration of the 3-D seismic interpretations. This resulted in improved history match by the simulator and more accurate predictions of flood performance on which to base the project design. The majority of the project design work has been completed, material specifications provided and bids solicited. Preparation of the demonstration area is well underway.« less