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Abstract
This paper uses case histories to introduce a graphical method
for easily quantifying reservoir flow units based on geologic
framework, petrophysical rock/pore types, storage capacity,
flow capacity, and reservoir process speed. Using these
parameters and four graphical tools, this paper outlines a
quantitative approach to transform rock-type-based zonations
into petrophysically based flow units that can be input into a
numerical flow simulator. This method provides a tool for
determining the minimum number of flow units to input into a
numerical flow simulator that honors the foot-by-foot
characteristics at the wellbore.
A flow unit is a stratigraphically continuous interval of
similar reservoir process speed that maintains the geologic
framework and characteristics of rock types. Rock types are
representative reservoir units with a distinct porositypermeability relationship and a unique water saturation for a
given height above free water level.
The ideal data for this method is continuous core porosity,
permeability, and saturation information drawn from
throughout the entire reservoir. If such a data set is not
available, it is necessary to calibrate wireline log data with
core information to produce reliable estimates of porosity,
permeability, and saturation. A full discussion of these data
transforms are beyond the scope of this paper.
The four graphical tools used to determine flow units are:
Winland porosity-permeability cross plot, Stratigraphic Flow
Profile (SFP), Stratigraphic Modified Lorenz Plot (SMLP) and
Modified Lorenz Plot (MLP).
This method begins by establishing rock types within a
geologic framework. The geologic framework allows the flow
units to be interpreted within a sequence stratigraphic model
5.
SPE 38679
SPE 38679
H (ft)
Phi
(%)
K
(mD)
K/Phi
KH
(mD/Ft)
PhiH
%PhiH
%KH
R35
FUS
20
80
100
25
20
100
2
400
10
2000
160
2160
5
16
21
24
76
100
93
7
100
5
.5
3.9
.09
80
20
100
25
20
100
2
400
10
8000
40
8040
20
4
24
83
17
100
99
1
100
5
.5
1.19
.05
Well A and B both have the same pay thickness of 100 ft;
however, the distribution of zone thickness, storage capacity,
and flow capacity are significantly different (Figure 12 and
13). The difference in flow and storage capacity is the key to
understanding well performance. The flow unit speed (FUS)
relates the differences of percent flow to storage capacity in
the wells because the K/Phi ratio and R35 for both zones are
equal.
The anticipated performance difference can be
qualitatively predicted from the MLP (Figure 14). Well A
should have a steep/sharp decline period that is relatively
short. Unit 1 accounts for 93% of the flow capacity and 24%
of the storage capacity. Therefor, the long-term performance
of Well A should be dominated by Unit 2 with its long
shallow decline period of nearly constant production. Unit 2
contains 76% of the storage capacity and 7% of the flow
capacity.
Well B anticipated performance from MLP (Figure 14)
should be a steady decline period due to its Unit 1 containing
99% flow capacity and 83% of the storage capacity. This zone
will dominate. A short period of late pressure support can be
expected at low rates as Unit 2 accounts for 1% of the flow
capacity and 17% of the storage capacity.
Figure 15 (Well A) and Figure 16 (Well B) show the
simulated performance curves with well rate vs. time, flow
unit performance, and cumulative gas produced. The
simulation indeed verifies the anticipated results.
SPE 38679
8
9
10
SPE 38679
GR
0
P H IE
10 0
0 .4
C P ER M
R 35
0.2
2000
25
K /PH I
2 000
%KH
60
%P H IH
60
C O R EP ER M
2000
0.2
R 35
K /P H I
%K H
%PH IH
Boekelermeer #1
Platten
Dolomite
C O R EGAM A
0
10 0
METRES
TEXTURE
framestn
boundstn
bafflestn
rudstn
floatstn
grainstn
packstn
wackestn
mudstn
0 .4
C PO R
pu
C OR EP O R
0 .4 p u 0
F.U. 1
2
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
3
4
5
6
7
8
10000
Oolite Grainstone
Pel. Grainstone
R35 = 20 m
Pack-Wackestone
0.8
Mudstone
R35 = 10 m
100
R35 = 2 m
10
R35 = .5 m
1
0.1
0.00
Permeability (md)
1000
0.6
Inflection Points
0.4
Contineous
Strat. MLP
0.2
0.10
0.20
0.30
Porosity (decimal)
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Percent Storage Capacity (%PHIH)
SPE 38679
1000
R35 = 10 m
9
100
0.8
Permeability (md)
0.6
5
Contineous Strat.
MLP
Strat. Mod. Lor
(SMLP)
0.4
R35 = 2 m
10
R35 = .5 m
1
Rock Type 1 - Massive SS
0.1
4
0.2
3
1
0.01
0.00
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
0.10
0.20
Porosity (decimal)
0.30
1
7
4
2
Modified
Lorenz Plot
0.4
0.8
0.6
Contineous MLP
0.8
6
Percent Flow Capacity (%KH)
0.6
0.4
Inflection Points
0.2
5
0.2
0
0
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Percent Storage Capacity (%PHIH)
Figure 7: Uninterpreted
Sandstone
continuous
SMLP
1
Cherry Canyon
SPE 38679
GRC
0
Cherry Cany.
Sandstone
15 0
DNCL
GRAIN SIZE
16
FEET
v c mf v
D N PH I
0 .4
C P ER M
0
0.02
C OR EP O R
0 .4
0
0.02
R 35
200
200
R 35
K /PH I1
2 00
50
50
0 K /P H I1
%K H
%PH IH
%K H
%P H IH
C ALPE R M
cobble
pebble
granule
sand
silt
clay
3320
F.U. 1
3330
3
3340
4
3350
5
6
3360
7
3370
1
7
Continuous
SMLP
Modified
Lorenz Plot
0.8
Interpreted
Stratigraphic
Modified
Lorenz Plot
0.6
6
5
0.4
4
0.2
68
0.8
Percent Flow Capacity (%KH)
5
0.6
7
0.4
0.2
4
1 2
0
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Percent Storage Capacity (%PHIH)
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Percent Storage Capacity (%PHIH)
SPE 38679
60000
1000.00
Well A
50000
Well B
100.00
Unit 2
Unit 1
40000
10.00
30000
1.00
20000
Gr
100
.3
Phi
Perm
0 1
100 v
K/Phi
400 0
R35
%PhiH
100
%KH
Well A
Performance
Unit 1
0.10
100
10000
Unit 2
Unit 1
CUM GAS
0.01
Unit 2
500
1000
1500
2000
Time (days)
2500
0
3000
1000.00
Gr
100
.3
Phi
Perm
0 1
100 0
K/Phi
400 0
R35
%PhiH
100
%KH
100
80000
100.00
70000
60000
Unit 2
10.00
50000
40000
1.00
0.9
30000
K/Phi = 10
0.8
K/Phi = 10
R35 = .60
FUS = 0.09
0.7
R35 = .60
FUS = 0.05
Well B Model
Performance
Unit 1
0.10
0.6
K/Phi = 400
Unit 2
0.5
R35 = 5.0
FUS = 3.9
Cum. Gas
Well A
0.3
Well B
R35 = 5.0
FUS = 1.19
0.2
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
500
1000
1500
2000
Time (days)
0.1
0.7
0.8
0.9
10000
0.01
0.4
K/Phi = 400
20000
Figure 14: SMLP and MLP for flow units in two well/two layer
model
2500
0
3000
Unit 1