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Life of a Reservoir
Stage 1: Exploration

The first stage in the life of a reservoir may span a period of two
years. At this stage, the reservoir and its contents are just beginning
to be defined and understood. Early interpretation of geologic and
seismic data is necessary to confirm the shape and extent of the WesternGeco
To gain an overall picture
reservoir and its contents. Such interpretations and analyses lead of the composition, extent and
to reduction of uncertainty and risk in the early stage of field geometry of rocks in the reservoir,
delineation and development. More specifically, they lead to optimal vibrator trucks generate acoustic
waves that travel into the earth and
placement of future wells. return to the surface to be
recorded as seismic data by
sensors laid out in lines
Gas or grids.
Oil
. . .
Water
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...
Reservoir Evaluation
and Development

.......
.......
... .
..
Drilling
..
and Measurements
..

Measurements-while-drilling
(MWD) tools determine the trajec-
tory of a wellbore as it is drilled and Wireline
send the information to the surface in Measurement sensors
real time. These inclination and direc- are lowered into the well on a
Downhole tion measurements are key to resolv-
steerable motors Rotary cable called a wireline to gather
ing the exact position of the well in roller-cone bits extensive information about the
have a special bent the earth and help guide the
section to control wellbore drill wells by cutting reservoir type and hydrocarbon
driller to the target. and crushing rock. content. This information is used to
trajectory for directional, and
even vertical, drilling. Mud Fixed-cutter bits have blades determine the economic viability of
pumped through these motors that scrape and gouge further field development and
turns the bit, allowing it to away the formation as placement of develop-
drill in the direction it the bit turns. ment wells.
is pointed.

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Schlumberger Oil & Gas Information Solutions
Seismic data and existing well data are analyzed
Software
by interpreters using a variety of tools available
in the GeoFrame* reservoir characterization
suite. With this software, interpreters produce
maps of the subsurface that delineate potential
hydrocarbon accumulations and reservoir qual-
ity. Exploration wells are designed interactively
with the Drilling Office* software suite to test
these prospects. Multiple opportunities can be
evaluated and ranked using Merak software for
relative value and associated risk.
Secure global connectivity is now a necessity
Information
Technology
for a successful reservoir. Schlumberger
Network Solutions has built a universal network
infrastructure for the management of oil and
gas customers’ networks and for the support
of employees, wherever their locations, from
cities to remote environments. Remote data
processing and data consulting, real-time
reservoir monitoring, virtual data management
and real-time technical support are all enabled
through the network, easing the geographic
barriers to cost-effective operations.
..
..
view and purchase multiple data types from around the world. The workflow is completed by purchasing the
data on-line with the new integration of e-commerce transaction features.
.. ..
..
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..
..
..
...
..
..
..
Client
The use of seismic data has become pervasive
Information
Management
throughout the E&P industry. While it began
life as a tool used during the exploration phase
of oil and gas production, seismic now is used
extensively in the development and production
stages in the form of 4D, and in the acquisition
and divestiture decision processes. Seismic
data management tools manage these large
data volumes and act as the access mechanism
for geoscientists to these seismic knowledge
bases throughout the life cycle of the reservoir.
Seismic data and downhole measurement
Expert Services
information are interpreted by DCS consultants
to develop an initial understanding of the
reservoir architecture and quality, as well as
the type, extent and volume of hydrocarbons
in place. Mechanical earth models are con-
structed and refined in real time to minimize
drilling risks and reduce drilling costs.
Using IndigoPool.com, E&P professionals can
Solutions
begin acquisition workflow on the desktop by
viewing available oil and gas properties on-line
from any region in the world. Asset information
is accessed with the click of a mouse to locate,
..
. .
. .
. ...
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Life of a Reservoir
Stage 2: Delineation

The delineation stage of a reservoir can range from two to five

years. Initial wells are completed in the producing zone with the
aim of delineating the size and extent of the reservoir. Direct and Drilling
indirect information gathered from these wells and from seismic and Measurements
surveys significantly improves our understanding of the reservoir Drilling planning software
structure, productivity and reserves. During this stage, field helps engineers design wells for
Well Services safe and economical construction.
development plans are created and a variety of wells—vertical, Drilling using coiled Computer programs model hydraulics
horizontal and multilaterals—may be designed and drilled to tubing allows wells to be and torque and drag on the drillstring to
build up production and deplete the reservoir efficiently. constructed with minimum determine the optimal configuration of
footprint at the surface and tools needed to drill a well. These
advanced well control programs also optimize
(live wells, underbal- logisitics, operations and
Gas anced). wellbore design.
Oil

........

.
Water

...
...
Reservoir Evaluation
and Development

.. .
. . .
.
...
.
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Well Services

. . . . . .. . ..
..
Casing is run in a well to
prevent the open hole from caving
. . . . . . .
. ..
.....
in, and to provide support for the
blowout preventer. Casing is cemented
.
..
in place to isolate any water, liquid or
gas reservoirs that may be encoun-
Wireline
tered. Cementing provides zonal Drilling
In an open hole, or
isolation and protects and Measurements
before the well is cased, a
the environment. Well Completions Logging-while-drilling
detailed picture of the reservoir
and Productivity (LWD) tools measure formation
comes from sensors lowered into the
Well testing establishes the petrophysical parameters, such
well on a cable called a wireline. The
maximum production poten- as resistivity, porosity and sonic
data obtained help define the shape
tial and percentages of oil, velocity as the well is drilled.
and characteristics of a reservoir,
gas and water in the Real-time LWD information
including fluid content, formation
production stream. ensures quick reservoir
pressure and boundaries
evaluation.
between gas, oil
and water.

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Schlumberger Oil & Gas Information Solutions

Once hydrocarbons are proven to exist, the

Information
Management
The DecisionPoint information management

Software
interpreter’s job is to incorporate new data to
produce a more detailed interpretation of the
subsurface. At this stage, a 3D reservoir model
is produced to more accurately design the
wells needed to delineate the field. A simula-
tion model is also made at this stage using
ECLIPSE* reservoir simulation software to
predict how the hydrocarbons in the reservoir
will move over time.
solution uses advanced Web technology and
e-business processes to ensure that people at
every point in the E&P business process have
access to exactly the information, applications
and collaboration they need to do their job.
When everyone in a value chain has this
access, large productivity gains are the result.
Existing and new seismic, geologic, rock, fluid

Expert Services
and pressure data and their interpretations are
To ensure that reservoir transactions and data
Information
Technology

integrated by geoscientists and engineers to

are secure, participants are authenticated, develop static and dynamic reservoir models.
properly authorized for specific transactions These models are used to generate a range of
and insured security and privacy through field development and production alternatives,
Schlumberger Smart Port secure corporate incorporating various risks, uncertainties and
access. Through this system, transactional and economic constraints, from which an optimal
data Web portals are secured; productive and field development strategy is developed.
profitable collaboration can safely transpire
on-line; and customers can be confident that
Since e-transformation shifts emphasis away

Solutions
transactions are genuinely private. The
extranet, Intranet and Internet become places from individual performance-enhancing tools
where secure collaboration can occur among toward collaboration and connection, solutions
business partners, customers and employees. must be constructed to support this shift not
only integrating data and information but also
people, ideas and knowledge. One solution is

.. the Decision and Control Center, or iCenter, which provides a complete, operationally secure, networked collab-

.. oration hub. The use of iCenters as centralized interpretation and analysis facilities throughout the upstream
energy enterprise and life of the reservoir will ultimately maximize productive use of available resources.
.. ..
..

..
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.. . ...
..
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...

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..
..
Client

Well Completions
and Productivity
.
Multilateral wells use more
than one leg to penetrate more
of the producing formation in
thin or low-permeability
reservoirs to increase
production.

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Life of a Reservoir
Stage 3: Development

Reservoir development can take place over a period of five

Well Completions Well Completions
to fifteen years depending on the size of the reservoir. This
and Productivity and Productivity
is the phase of maximum activity in the field, which further Well completions require specialized A fully automated measurement
improves reservoir understanding. equipment including packers and subsur- and control system called an intelli-
face safety valves. Packers provide a seal gent completion uses downhole and
between the tubing and casing and suspend surface sensors and valves to
Development drilling is conducted. Surface separation facili- the tubing. Safety valves are primarily used enhance production volumes
ties and gathering systems are put into place. Production offshore but are also used in land wells from the reservoir without
builds to peak levels. In many cases, to replenish the depleted that produce toxic gases, such as H2S, human intervention.
to shut in the well, or stop the
reservoir energy, water or gas injection is implemented. To
toxic gases from reaching

...............
assist well flow, operators (or producers) initiate artificial lift the surface.
in the form of well pumping or gas lift.

..
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..
Gas
Oil
Water
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. . ..
Reservoir Evaluation
.. .
and Development ..
.
..

...
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..

...
....

...
...

...
Well Completions
...

and Productivity
...
.....

When a well either doesn’t flow

or doesn’t flow enough naturally,
. .
..
artificial lift—using gas lift and
...

.
electrical submersible pumps—
improves production quantities
. .
.
...

and lengthens the produc-

ing life of the well.
Well Services
Stimulation (fracturing or
acidizing) increases production in
wells with low permeability or those
damaged during the drilling and comple-
tion process. Stimulation is also used to
prevent production-related problems
in high-permeability reservoirs. In
unconsolidated reservoirs, sand
control is required to prevent
completion failure.
..
Wireline
Drilling After a well has been
and Measurements
cased, additional wireline meas-
Directional drilling is the urements, such as production per-
process of constructing the wellbore
formance, formation pressure and well
along some angled trajectory to a integrity monitoring, are used for
specific target. The directional driller
reservoir diagnostics and management.
controls drilling parameters to achieve Perforating tools punch holes in the
the desired path. Extended-reach and
casing and into the producing forma-
horizontal wells are extreme direc- tion to establish a path for the
tional wells designed to reach petroleum to flow for well
targets far from the surface testing or production.
location.

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Schlumberger Oil & Gas Information Solutions

Static and dynamic reservoir models are

Expert Services
Well design and reservoir simulation peak here.

Software
Once production begins, the data can be used to
further refine the dynamic simulation model.
This is known as history matching. The reservoir
model is optimized using the software allowing
better predictions of reservoir behavior and cash
flow to be made. Decisions on the best method
of artificial lift can be analyzed for value and risk.
Bringing data to the desktop is possible only
Information
Technology
updated and refined as new wells are drilled
and additional reservoir and production data
become available. Reservoir and production
optimization studies using these models may
identify the need for additional development
wells, stimulation, artificial lift, surface facility
enhancements and secondary or tertiary
recovery operations. Reserves estimates and
economic analyses are updated, and field

development plans are modified and imple-

when the network is brought all the way to the mented accordingly.
wellhead regardless of its location. Frontier
Connectivity is a turnkey network solution
bringing secure voice, data and video services To optimize the reservoir model, asset teams

Solutions
to remote sites, where reliable leased lines,
Internet or dial-up services are not available.
With this end-to-endless solution, no region or
location is too remote and no communication
requirements are too simple or too elaborate.
To generate higher oil and gas production
Information
Management
can access software by means of the Internet.
The LiveQuest application service provider
solution delivers interpretation, reservoir
modeling and simulation, data management
and economics and risk analysis software to
clients’ desktops for real-time collaboration
without requiring them to download the soft-

ware to their workstations or PCs.

rates and increased asset value, an E&P
... company must leverage its people and infra-

...
structure through knowledge-sharing and efficient transfer of know-how, for example, from centers of excellence
to the wellsite. Schlumberger instituted a program called InTouch that greatly improves operational efficiency.

... InTouch puts field engineers in any location—desert, jungle, offshore—directly in touch with dedicated
experts and the best corporate-wide knowledge. Schlumberger is now offering Knowledge Management and
.. Collaboration solutions to our clients. The offering includes technology, expert services, IT infrastructure and

.. operations support.
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..

..
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..
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..
...

..
..
Client

..
WesternGeco
Seismic data (4D) may
be acquired at different times
over the same area to assess
changes in a producing hydrocar-
bon reservoir with time. Changes
may be observed in fluid loca-
tion and saturation, pres-
sure and temperature.

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Life of a Reservoir
Stage 4: Maturity

During the mature stage, which ranges from 15 years to abandon-

ment, the reservoir is well understood. Oil depletion by production
wells causes the gas cap and aquifer to expand and make the oil
column thinner. Integrated
Project Management
Wells are stimulated by fracturing, acidizing or other means to is a full-service, multidisci-
plinary organization that helps
improve productivity and prolong their economic life. Water or gas operators better manage well
injection and artificial lift continue. At the end of this stage, the construction, reservoir production
wells are plugged and abandoned as their production falls below and full-field development
through long-term projects,
economic levels.
often for the entire life of
a reservoir.

Gas
Oil
Water

Reservoir Evaluation
and Development

. . ..
. .
.
................

. . . .
.. ...
Wireline
Suboptimal production
or mechanical problems in an
existing well may require inter-
vention or remedial workover.
Wireline services can evaluate oil that Well Services
is still in the reservoir but not being Coiled tubing—a long,
produced possibly due to perme- continuous length of pipe wound
ability barriers, water or gas on a spool—provides rigless inter-
breakthrough or pressure vention capabilities for well
decline. stimulation or zone abandonment.
Water and scale control serv-
ices enhance the economic
life of the well.

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Schlumberger Oil & Gas Information Solutions

Continual production data acquisition and Production enhancement studies using a

Software

Expert Services
monitoring are crucial as is understanding of
the remaining value of the asset at this stage.
Simulation of workovers or well stimulation is
commonplace. Based on rates of return, com-
panies may use Merak decision-making tools to
choose between producing until abandonment
or divestiture of the asset.
Reservoirs can link together in a private
Information
Technology
variety of screening methods and well-analysis
techniques are used to examine reservoir,
completion, tubulars (wellbore and surface)
and artificial-lift performance. Bypassed
hydrocarbons, infill drilling opportunities,
recompletion and restimulation candidates,
modifications to surface facilities and improve-
ments to artificial-lift systems may be identified
to enhance production and extend the life of

the field. Divestiture and abandonment strate-

networked community to securely share infor-
mation. Through the Oil Partnering Network
service, oil companies, engineering contractors,
drilling contractors, logistics service companies
and IT bureau-service companies safely connect
gies are developed to optimize overall return
from the asset.
NExT is a high-technology education offering

Solutions
from anywhere in the world. This access to a
secure, managed, closed community network—
focused on critical oilfield operations, engineer-
ing projects and exploration/production partner
reporting—serves a critical need in the life of
the reservoir.
Every day, the delivery and analysis of timely
Information
Management
that serves the E&P industry by filling a learn-
ing gap for oilfield professionals who need to
continually strengthen and diversify their skill-
sets and learn about emerging technologies.
Course delivery methods include traditional
classroom instruction, mentor-supported
on-line distance learning, CD-ROM self-study
programs and custom on-site courses.

production data from the wellsite to the desk-

top, aided by Web-enabled tools, are growing in importance. These capabilities are essential for making real-time

... decisions that allow production operations to run at the pace of today’s business, enabling optimization of both

... production and the reservoir. What began within Schlumberger as a group of discrete applications, designed to

... ...
take daily hand-entered and commercial production data and deliver relevant information to the user, is evolving
into an offering of interconnected applications from field data capture to production economics that are modular,

.. integrated and scaleable to provide data to the client’s desktop at whatever frequency the data are acquired.

.. ..
..

..
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.. .. . .
.. .. . .
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..
..
...

..
..
Client

..

Well Services
Remedial cementing
is used to plug an old,
produced-out well so that it
may be permanently
abandoned.

InterChange Special Edition JUL/01 23