Practical methodology for interwell tracer applications

Abstract

Tracer technology has been used in the oil industry to investigate the fluid flow behavior into the reservoir.  Using this technology is possible to obtain relevant data from the reservoir such as remaining oil accumulations, estimate volumetric sweep efficiency, define reservoir heterogeneities, identify flow channeling, and determine residual oil saturation (Sor).   This technology has been one of the most useful tools for reservoir characterization for several decades. The tracer is injected in the injector well and then monitored in the producer wells through the tracer concentration measurements. Although many tracer studies have been documented for reservoir characterization, the available information and methodologies related to the design, implementation, and interpretation of tracer tests are limited or confidential. The goal of his article is to show a methodology for the design, execution, and interpretation of interwell tracer tests, which includes procedures for field implementation, sampling, and monitoring of these tests. Laboratory analysis using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography is described in the experimental evaluation of tracer tests. Additionally, for a better understanding of the technology, examples of laboratory and field cases are presented.