Analogue outcrops can be used to prepare geoscientists with realistic expectations and responses for Geosteering ultra-long horizontal wells (ERD) in thin reservoirs with different scales of faults, and uncertainty in fault zone parameters and characteristics. Geosteering ultra-long horizontal wells in specific, thin, meter-thick target zones within reservoirs is challenged when sub-seismic faults are present or where seismic scale fault throw and fault location is ill-defined or imprecisely known. This paper defines the challenge of how analogue outcrops can be used to prepare geoscientists with realistic expectations and responses to such operational difficulties in faulted carbonates, irrespective of the tools employed to characterize encountered faults. Geosteering wells in reservoirs with different scales of faults and uncertainty in fault zone character and detection limits can lead to: (i) extensive ‘out of zone’ intervals and (ii) undulating wellbores (when attempting to retrieve target layer positioning), whereby well productivity and accessibility are compromised. Using faulted carbonate field analogues can direct the operation geologist's geosteering response to such faulted scenarios. Descriptions from outcrops are used to address subsurface scenarios of marker horizon(s) and their lateral/spatial variability; diagenesis related to faults at outcrop and expected variations along wellbore laterals in the oilfield. Additionally, offsets/throws, damage zone geometries for thin-bed reservoir understanding of fault zone effects in low-offset structures. Appreciation of faults in outcrops allows an understanding of expectations whilst drilling according to the following: (1) Scales of features from seismic to sub-seismic damage zones: what to expect when geosteering within / out of zone, across faults with indeterminate throws. (2) Understandings from 3D analogues/geometries applied predictively to field development, targeting specific thin reservoir zones / key marker beds. Several oil- well case-examples highlight the response in steering wellbores located within specific thin target zones whereby faults were expected, but where fault throw differed significantly to what was anticipated from initial seismic interpretation. Examples elucidating the application include a meter-thick dolomite zone within a very thick limestone reservoir where injector and producer wells are completed, where the wellbore remains within reservoir but out of specific target zone (how to marry smooth wellbore with layer conformance). Furthermore, for very thin reservoirs primarily located within non-reservoir carbonates, minor faults would misdirect wellbore into argillaceous limestone above or below the reservoirs. Faulted zones with water influx mapped from LWD where modelled property responses can be better characterized by low-offset faults with compartmentalizing effects for completion strategies. Even with an extensive suite of logs to characterize f
{"title":"Capturing Fault Effects in Thin Reservoirs for Geosteering Improvements in Developing Offshore Carbonate Fields","authors":"E. A. Mohamed, H. E. Edwards","doi":"10.2118/208160-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/208160-ms","url":null,"abstract":"Analogue outcrops can be used to prepare geoscientists with realistic expectations and responses for Geosteering ultra-long horizontal wells (ERD) in thin reservoirs with different scales of faults, and uncertainty in fault zone parameters and characteristics. Geosteering ultra-long horizontal wells in specific, thin, meter-thick target zones within reservoirs is challenged when sub-seismic faults are present or where seismic scale fault throw and fault location is ill-defined or imprecisely known. This paper defines the challenge of how analogue outcrops can be used to prepare geoscientists with realistic expectations and responses to such operational difficulties in faulted carbonates, irrespective of the tools employed to characterize encountered faults. Geosteering wells in reservoirs with different scales of faults and uncertainty in fault zone character and detection limits can lead to: (i) extensive ‘out of zone’ intervals and (ii) undulating wellbores (when attempting to retrieve target layer positioning), whereby well productivity and accessibility are compromised. Using faulted carbonate field analogues can direct the operation geologist's geosteering response to such faulted scenarios. Descriptions from outcrops are used to address subsurface scenarios of marker horizon(s) and their lateral/spatial variability; diagenesis related to faults at outcrop and expected variations along wellbore laterals in the oilfield. Additionally, offsets/throws, damage zone geometries for thin-bed reservoir understanding of fault zone effects in low-offset structures. Appreciation of faults in outcrops allows an understanding of expectations whilst drilling according to the following: (1) Scales of features from seismic to sub-seismic damage zones: what to expect when geosteering within / out of zone, across faults with indeterminate throws. (2) Understandings from 3D analogues/geometries applied predictively to field development, targeting specific thin reservoir zones / key marker beds. Several oil- well case-examples highlight the response in steering wellbores located within specific thin target zones whereby faults were expected, but where fault throw differed significantly to what was anticipated from initial seismic interpretation. Examples elucidating the application include a meter-thick dolomite zone within a very thick limestone reservoir where injector and producer wells are completed, where the wellbore remains within reservoir but out of specific target zone (how to marry smooth wellbore with layer conformance). Furthermore, for very thin reservoirs primarily located within non-reservoir carbonates, minor faults would misdirect wellbore into argillaceous limestone above or below the reservoirs. Faulted zones with water influx mapped from LWD where modelled property responses can be better characterized by low-offset faults with compartmentalizing effects for completion strategies. Even with an extensive suite of logs to characterize f","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"45 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90943341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayman Ismail Al Zawaideh, Khalifa Hassan Al Hosani, I. Boiko, Abdulla AlQassab, I. Khan
Compressors are widely used to transport gas offshore and onshore. Oil rigs and gas processing plants have several compressors operating either alone, in parallel or in trains. Hence, compressors must be controlled optimally to insure a high rate of production, and efficient power consumption. The aim of this paper is to provide a control algorithm to optimize the compressors operation in parallel in process industries, to minimize energy consumption in variable operating conditions. A dynamic control-oriented model of the compression system has been developed. The optimization algorithm is tested on an experimental prototype having two compressors connected in parallel. The developed optimization algorithm resulted in a better performance and a reduction of the total energy consumption compared to an equal load sharing scheme.
{"title":"Control-Oriented Modelling and Optimal Adaptive Control of Parallel Compressors","authors":"Ayman Ismail Al Zawaideh, Khalifa Hassan Al Hosani, I. Boiko, Abdulla AlQassab, I. Khan","doi":"10.2118/207459-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/207459-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Compressors are widely used to transport gas offshore and onshore. Oil rigs and gas processing plants have several compressors operating either alone, in parallel or in trains. Hence, compressors must be controlled optimally to insure a high rate of production, and efficient power consumption. The aim of this paper is to provide a control algorithm to optimize the compressors operation in parallel in process industries, to minimize energy consumption in variable operating conditions. A dynamic control-oriented model of the compression system has been developed. The optimization algorithm is tested on an experimental prototype having two compressors connected in parallel. The developed optimization algorithm resulted in a better performance and a reduction of the total energy consumption compared to an equal load sharing scheme.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"301 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91553725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Khaled Al Khoujah, Antonio Medina, J. A. Al Qaydi, Jawwad Kaleem, Fatima Hassan Al Mansoori, M. Nisar, Markus Lentz
An innovative design was implemented as a solution for the repetitive failure of a plate heat exchanger installed at Gas Processing Facilitates due to weld cracking, the new design was introduced for the first time in the facility, demonstrating the novelty of utilizing new technologies and enhanced designs in Heat Exchangers used for gas processing. The main challenges were in accommodating various operating modes and ensure the prevention of reoccurrence of the failures. The success was achieved through the collaboration between the operating company and Industry experts in heat transfer equipment to replace the existing design at the gas processing Facilitates with no change in piping layouts, hence, performing the replacement at optimal cost and maximum benefit.
{"title":"Upgrade of Plate Heat Exchanger at Optimal Cost Through Core Pack Plate Welding Modification","authors":"Khaled Al Khoujah, Antonio Medina, J. A. Al Qaydi, Jawwad Kaleem, Fatima Hassan Al Mansoori, M. Nisar, Markus Lentz","doi":"10.2118/207461-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/207461-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 An innovative design was implemented as a solution for the repetitive failure of a plate heat exchanger installed at Gas Processing Facilitates due to weld cracking, the new design was introduced for the first time in the facility, demonstrating the novelty of utilizing new technologies and enhanced designs in Heat Exchangers used for gas processing. The main challenges were in accommodating various operating modes and ensure the prevention of reoccurrence of the failures. The success was achieved through the collaboration between the operating company and Industry experts in heat transfer equipment to replace the existing design at the gas processing Facilitates with no change in piping layouts, hence, performing the replacement at optimal cost and maximum benefit.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"122 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76841330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Bernadi, I. Mohamed, Ahmed Mohamed Al Bairaq, M. A. Hosani, A. Abdullayev, Allen Roopal
A comprehensive study of a giant onshore Abu Dhabi gas field using a next-generation commercial numerical simulator has been conducted. The objective was to identify the distribution and track the movement of the gas condensate in the reservoir, and to develop strategies to minimize the condensate drop-out and improve condensate recovery from the field. The field contains a large gas cap and an oil rim. We have identified the distribution of the gas condensate throughout the reservoir and were able to track its movement using the advanced fluid tracking option in the simulator. Once the gas condensate drop-out regions in the reservoir are identified, sensitivity runs with localized changes are carried out to improve the recovery from the reservoir. The strategies to mitigate drop-out include adding infill wells, drilling multi-lateral wells, reinjecting CO2 and dry gas into the reservoir, and hydraulic fracturing near the well bore. We were able to track the distribution of the condensate throughout the reservoir and identified key condensate drop-out regions. Adding infill wells improved the recovery of the condensate. Implementing multi-lateral wells also showed improved condensate recovery in the field. Hydraulic fracturing near the wellbore reduced condensate banking near the wellbore. Injecting dry gas improved the condensate recovery by a re-vaporization process where the liquid condensate is absorbed by dry gas. This paper discusses a comprehensive study on tracking the condensate distribution in a giant onshore field using a commercial simulator. The authors have performed a thorough investigation to identify an optimal condensate recovery strategy for the field, by comparing various recovery strategies using the full field reservoir simulation model.
{"title":"A Comprehensive Study Developing and Maximizing the Recovery of Gas Condensate from a Giant Onshore Abu Dhabi Gas Field Utilizing Advanced Condensate Tracking, Gas Injection and Drilling Strategies in Next-generation Commercial Numerical Simulator","authors":"B. Bernadi, I. Mohamed, Ahmed Mohamed Al Bairaq, M. A. Hosani, A. Abdullayev, Allen Roopal","doi":"10.2118/207765-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/207765-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 A comprehensive study of a giant onshore Abu Dhabi gas field using a next-generation commercial numerical simulator has been conducted. The objective was to identify the distribution and track the movement of the gas condensate in the reservoir, and to develop strategies to minimize the condensate drop-out and improve condensate recovery from the field.\u0000 The field contains a large gas cap and an oil rim. We have identified the distribution of the gas condensate throughout the reservoir and were able to track its movement using the advanced fluid tracking option in the simulator. Once the gas condensate drop-out regions in the reservoir are identified, sensitivity runs with localized changes are carried out to improve the recovery from the reservoir. The strategies to mitigate drop-out include adding infill wells, drilling multi-lateral wells, reinjecting CO2 and dry gas into the reservoir, and hydraulic fracturing near the well bore.\u0000 We were able to track the distribution of the condensate throughout the reservoir and identified key condensate drop-out regions. Adding infill wells improved the recovery of the condensate. Implementing multi-lateral wells also showed improved condensate recovery in the field. Hydraulic fracturing near the wellbore reduced condensate banking near the wellbore. Injecting dry gas improved the condensate recovery by a re-vaporization process where the liquid condensate is absorbed by dry gas.\u0000 This paper discusses a comprehensive study on tracking the condensate distribution in a giant onshore field using a commercial simulator. The authors have performed a thorough investigation to identify an optimal condensate recovery strategy for the field, by comparing various recovery strategies using the full field reservoir simulation model.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75933717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pawan Agrawal, S. Yousif, A. Shokry, T. Saqib, O. Keshtta, Y. Bigno, Abdullah Al Ghailani
In a giant offshore UAE carbonate oil field, challenges related to advanced maturity, presence of a huge gas-cap and reservoir heterogeneities have impacted production performance. More than 30% of oil producers are closed due to gas front advance and this percentage is increasing with time. The viability of future developments is highly impacted by lower completion design and ways to limit gas breakthrough. Autonomous inflow-control devices (AICD's) are seen as a viable lower completion method to mitigate gas production while allowing oil production, but their effect on pressure drawdown must be carefully accounted for, in a context of particularly high export pressure. A first AICD completion was tested in 2020, after a careful selection amongst high-GOR wells and a diagnosis of underlying gas production mechanisms. The selected pilot is an open-hole horizontal drain closed due to high GOR. Its production profile was investigated through a baseline production log. Several AICD designs were simulated using a nodal analysis model to account for the export pressure. Reservoir simulation was used to evaluate the long-term performance of short-listed scenarios. The integrated process involved all disciplines, from geology, reservoir engineering, petrophysics, to petroleum and completion engineering. In the finally selected design, only the high-permeability heel part of the horizontal drain was covered by AICDs, whereas the rest was completed with pre-perforated liner intervals, separated with swell packers. It was considered that a balance between gas isolation and pressure draw-down reduction had to be found to ensure production viability for such pilot evaluation. Subsequent to the re-completion, the well could be produced at low GOR, and a second production log confirmed the effectiveness of AICDs in isolating free gas production, while enhancing healthy oil production from the deeper part of the drain. Continuous production monitoring, and other flow profile surveys, will complete the evaluation of AICD effectiveness and its adaptability to evolving pressure and fluid distribution within the reservoir. Several lessons will be learnt from this first AICD pilot, particularly related to the criticality of fully integrated subsurface understanding, evaluation, and completion design studies. The use of AICD technology appears promising for retrofit solutions in high-GOR inactive strings, prolonging well life and increasing reserves. Regarding newly drilled wells, dedicated efforts are underway to associate this technology with enhanced reservoir evaluation methods, allowing to directly design the lower completion based on diagnosed reservoir heterogeneities. Reduced export pressure and artificial lift will feature in future field development phases, and offer the flexibility to extend the use of AICD's. The current technology evaluation phases are however crucial in the definition of such technology deployments and the confirmation of their lon
{"title":"Unlocking By-Passed Oil with Autonomous Inflow Control Devices Through an Integrated Approach","authors":"Pawan Agrawal, S. Yousif, A. Shokry, T. Saqib, O. Keshtta, Y. Bigno, Abdullah Al Ghailani","doi":"10.2118/207569-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/207569-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 In a giant offshore UAE carbonate oil field, challenges related to advanced maturity, presence of a huge gas-cap and reservoir heterogeneities have impacted production performance. More than 30% of oil producers are closed due to gas front advance and this percentage is increasing with time. The viability of future developments is highly impacted by lower completion design and ways to limit gas breakthrough.\u0000 Autonomous inflow-control devices (AICD's) are seen as a viable lower completion method to mitigate gas production while allowing oil production, but their effect on pressure drawdown must be carefully accounted for, in a context of particularly high export pressure. A first AICD completion was tested in 2020, after a careful selection amongst high-GOR wells and a diagnosis of underlying gas production mechanisms. The selected pilot is an open-hole horizontal drain closed due to high GOR. Its production profile was investigated through a baseline production log. Several AICD designs were simulated using a nodal analysis model to account for the export pressure. Reservoir simulation was used to evaluate the long-term performance of short-listed scenarios.\u0000 The integrated process involved all disciplines, from geology, reservoir engineering, petrophysics, to petroleum and completion engineering. In the finally selected design, only the high-permeability heel part of the horizontal drain was covered by AICDs, whereas the rest was completed with pre-perforated liner intervals, separated with swell packers. It was considered that a balance between gas isolation and pressure draw-down reduction had to be found to ensure production viability for such pilot evaluation. Subsequent to the re-completion, the well could be produced at low GOR, and a second production log confirmed the effectiveness of AICDs in isolating free gas production, while enhancing healthy oil production from the deeper part of the drain. Continuous production monitoring, and other flow profile surveys, will complete the evaluation of AICD effectiveness and its adaptability to evolving pressure and fluid distribution within the reservoir.\u0000 Several lessons will be learnt from this first AICD pilot, particularly related to the criticality of fully integrated subsurface understanding, evaluation, and completion design studies. The use of AICD technology appears promising for retrofit solutions in high-GOR inactive strings, prolonging well life and increasing reserves. Regarding newly drilled wells, dedicated efforts are underway to associate this technology with enhanced reservoir evaluation methods, allowing to directly design the lower completion based on diagnosed reservoir heterogeneities. Reduced export pressure and artificial lift will feature in future field development phases, and offer the flexibility to extend the use of AICD's. The current technology evaluation phases are however crucial in the definition of such technology deployments and the confirmation of their lon","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"73 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75985414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Operational Excellence and Automation Excellence go hand in hand when it comes to enabling process optimization and cost-reduction opportunities in Upstream Oil & Gas Operations. As part of our Digital Journey in the Upstream Business, multiple streams and workflows have been created to successfully identify and explore the use of new technologies to foster collaboration, achieve higher levels of efficiency, lower operating costs, maximize production and asset integrity, improve decision making, and lower the carbon footprint of all of our exploration and production activities. While our Digital Journey has been highly successful in identifying, assessing and implementing new technologies and novel solutions, it has also made very clear, during the development of business-cases’, that a rather big number of existing and older facilities were not going to be good cost-effective candidates for the deployment of many of the identified solutions and technologies. As an established and rooted operator with a large number of aging facilities, these presented an additional challenge to dig deeper and look further for solutions to cover all of these remaining assets, no matter how old or small they could be.
{"title":"Capex-Free Production Facilities Optimization Opportunities by Exploiting Installed Automation Infrastructure and Unused Functionalities","authors":"Jose David De Sousa Drumond","doi":"10.2118/207699-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/207699-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Operational Excellence and Automation Excellence go hand in hand when it comes to enabling process optimization and cost-reduction opportunities in Upstream Oil & Gas Operations.\u0000 As part of our Digital Journey in the Upstream Business, multiple streams and workflows have been created to successfully identify and explore the use of new technologies to foster collaboration, achieve higher levels of efficiency, lower operating costs, maximize production and asset integrity, improve decision making, and lower the carbon footprint of all of our exploration and production activities.\u0000 While our Digital Journey has been highly successful in identifying, assessing and implementing new technologies and novel solutions, it has also made very clear, during the development of business-cases’, that a rather big number of existing and older facilities were not going to be good cost-effective candidates for the deployment of many of the identified solutions and technologies. As an established and rooted operator with a large number of aging facilities, these presented an additional challenge to dig deeper and look further for solutions to cover all of these remaining assets, no matter how old or small they could be.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74442393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Y. Samarkin, M. Aljawad, A. Amao, T. Sølling, K. Al-Ramadan, M. AlTammar, K. Alruwaili
Hydraulic fracturing is applied in tight formations to create conductive paths within the reservoir. However, the conductivity of the created fractures declines with time due to the closure stresses. The decline is sharp in soft formations because of proppant embedment and fracture surface asperities failure. The improvement in fracture surface hardness can mitigate the abovementioned challenges and sustain the fracture conductivity. This research targeted enhancing carbonate rock's hardness by forming minerals harder than calcite. Carbonate rocks, namely dolomite, limestone, and chalk, were treated at ambient temperature conditions by immersion into the aqueous solutions of NaF and ZnSO4 with a concentration of 0.1M. During treatment, the solution was sampled to monitor the changes in ion concentration and estimate the reaction kinetics by ICP - OES and IC devices. The hardness of rock samples was measured by impulse hammering technique before and after the treatment. The changes in rock's mineralogy and elemental content were studied by XRD and SEM imaging. The permeability of rocks was estimated by the steady-state gas injection method. The formation of smithsonite (ZnCO3, Mohs scale hardness - 4.5) and fluorite (CaF2, Mohs scale hardness - 4) was achieved in the reaction of calcite (CaCO3, Mohs scale hardness – 3) with ZnSO4 and NaF, respectively. Chalk and limestone reacted efficiently with both solutions; however, the dolomite reaction with solutions was feeble. XRD detected the newly formed smithsonite minerals, and it was observed in SEM images that minerals formed an interconnected net in chalk and limestone specimens. In dolomite samples, the minerals formed isolated gatherings that were sparsely located on the grains. The treatments caused the improvement of the rock specimen's hardness. 0.1M solution of NaF was not effective in strengthening the rock samples (only chalk sample experienced 6.7% improvement in hardness) because of low concentration of the solutions used; however, treatment resulted in negligible changes in permeability of the samples. In contrast, Young's modulus of limestone and chalk treated by ZnSO4 increased by 17% and 21%. Permeability of rocks treated by ZnSO4 reduced drastically, most likely due to the formation of gypsum as a byproduct of the reaction. This research presents a method for carbonate rock hardening via the transformation of parent calcite into harder minerals. It explains its possible application in the petroleum industry to sustain the conductivity of propped/acid fractures. The proposed technique will help to mitigate fracture conductivity decline due to proppant embedment and asperities failure issues that are especially severe in soft formations.
{"title":"Improving Long-Term Hydraulic Fracture Conductivity in Carbonate Formations by Substitution of Harder Minerals","authors":"Y. Samarkin, M. Aljawad, A. Amao, T. Sølling, K. Al-Ramadan, M. AlTammar, K. Alruwaili","doi":"10.2118/208118-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/208118-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Hydraulic fracturing is applied in tight formations to create conductive paths within the reservoir. However, the conductivity of the created fractures declines with time due to the closure stresses. The decline is sharp in soft formations because of proppant embedment and fracture surface asperities failure. The improvement in fracture surface hardness can mitigate the abovementioned challenges and sustain the fracture conductivity. This research targeted enhancing carbonate rock's hardness by forming minerals harder than calcite.\u0000 Carbonate rocks, namely dolomite, limestone, and chalk, were treated at ambient temperature conditions by immersion into the aqueous solutions of NaF and ZnSO4 with a concentration of 0.1M. During treatment, the solution was sampled to monitor the changes in ion concentration and estimate the reaction kinetics by ICP - OES and IC devices. The hardness of rock samples was measured by impulse hammering technique before and after the treatment. The changes in rock's mineralogy and elemental content were studied by XRD and SEM imaging. The permeability of rocks was estimated by the steady-state gas injection method.\u0000 The formation of smithsonite (ZnCO3, Mohs scale hardness - 4.5) and fluorite (CaF2, Mohs scale hardness - 4) was achieved in the reaction of calcite (CaCO3, Mohs scale hardness – 3) with ZnSO4 and NaF, respectively. Chalk and limestone reacted efficiently with both solutions; however, the dolomite reaction with solutions was feeble. XRD detected the newly formed smithsonite minerals, and it was observed in SEM images that minerals formed an interconnected net in chalk and limestone specimens. In dolomite samples, the minerals formed isolated gatherings that were sparsely located on the grains. The treatments caused the improvement of the rock specimen's hardness. 0.1M solution of NaF was not effective in strengthening the rock samples (only chalk sample experienced 6.7% improvement in hardness) because of low concentration of the solutions used; however, treatment resulted in negligible changes in permeability of the samples. In contrast, Young's modulus of limestone and chalk treated by ZnSO4 increased by 17% and 21%. Permeability of rocks treated by ZnSO4 reduced drastically, most likely due to the formation of gypsum as a byproduct of the reaction.\u0000 This research presents a method for carbonate rock hardening via the transformation of parent calcite into harder minerals. It explains its possible application in the petroleum industry to sustain the conductivity of propped/acid fractures. The proposed technique will help to mitigate fracture conductivity decline due to proppant embedment and asperities failure issues that are especially severe in soft formations.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"95 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79241352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Ghedan, M. Surendra, Agustin Maqui, M. Elwan, Rami Kansao, Hesham Mousa, R. Jha, Mahmoud Korish, Feyi Olalotiti-Lawal, E. Shahin, Mohamed El Sayed, T. Eid, Lamia Rouis, Qingfeng Huang
Waterfloods are amongst the most widely implemented methods for oil field development. Despite their vast implementation, operational bottlenecks such as lack of surveillance and optimization tools to guide fast paced decisions render most of these sub-optimal. This paper presents a novel machine-learning, reduced-physics approach to optimize an exceptionally complex off-shore waterflood in the Gulf of Suez. Leveraging a hybrid data-driven and physics approach, the water flooding scheme in Nezzezat reservoir was optimized to improve reservoir voidage replacement, increase oil production, and reduce water production by identifying potential in wells. As a by-product of the study, a better understanding of the complex fault system was also achieved. Including the geological understanding and its uncertainty is one of the key elements that must be preserved. All geological attributes, along with production rates are used to solve for pressure and inter-well communication. This is later supplemented by machine-learning algorithm to solve for the fractional flow of inter-well connections. Combining the inter-well connectivity and fractional flow, an optimization was performed to reach the best possible conditions for oil gains and water-cut reduction. A global optimization is possible thanks to the low computational demand of this approach, as thousands to millions of realizations must be run to reach the best solution while satisfying all constraints. This is all done in a fraction of the time it takes to run a traditional reservoir simulation. For the present case, the paper will present the underlying physics and data-driven algorithms, along with the blind tests performed to validate the results. In addition to the method's inner workings, the paper will focus more on the results to guide operational decisions. This is inclusive of all the complex constraints of an offshore field, as well as the best reservoir management practices, when reaching optimal production and injection rates for each well. An increase in production was achieved with some reduction in water-cut, while honoring well and platform level limitations. While these represent the gains for a particular month, optimization scenarios can be run weekly or monthly to capture the dynamic nature of the problem and any operational limitations that might arise. The ability to update the models and run optimization scenarios effortlessly allows pro-active operational decisions to maximize the value of the asset. The approach followed in this paper solves for the critical physics of the problem and supplements the remaining with machine learning algorithms. This novel and extremely practical approach facilitate the decision making to operate the field optimally.
{"title":"Rapid and Efficient Waterflood Optimization Using Augmented AI Approach in a Complex Offshore Field","authors":"S. Ghedan, M. Surendra, Agustin Maqui, M. Elwan, Rami Kansao, Hesham Mousa, R. Jha, Mahmoud Korish, Feyi Olalotiti-Lawal, E. Shahin, Mohamed El Sayed, T. Eid, Lamia Rouis, Qingfeng Huang","doi":"10.2118/207458-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/207458-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Waterfloods are amongst the most widely implemented methods for oil field development. Despite their vast implementation, operational bottlenecks such as lack of surveillance and optimization tools to guide fast paced decisions render most of these sub-optimal. This paper presents a novel machine-learning, reduced-physics approach to optimize an exceptionally complex off-shore waterflood in the Gulf of Suez.\u0000 Leveraging a hybrid data-driven and physics approach, the water flooding scheme in Nezzezat reservoir was optimized to improve reservoir voidage replacement, increase oil production, and reduce water production by identifying potential in wells. As a by-product of the study, a better understanding of the complex fault system was also achieved. Including the geological understanding and its uncertainty is one of the key elements that must be preserved. All geological attributes, along with production rates are used to solve for pressure and inter-well communication. This is later supplemented by machine-learning algorithm to solve for the fractional flow of inter-well connections.\u0000 Combining the inter-well connectivity and fractional flow, an optimization was performed to reach the best possible conditions for oil gains and water-cut reduction. A global optimization is possible thanks to the low computational demand of this approach, as thousands to millions of realizations must be run to reach the best solution while satisfying all constraints. This is all done in a fraction of the time it takes to run a traditional reservoir simulation.\u0000 For the present case, the paper will present the underlying physics and data-driven algorithms, along with the blind tests performed to validate the results. In addition to the method's inner workings, the paper will focus more on the results to guide operational decisions. This is inclusive of all the complex constraints of an offshore field, as well as the best reservoir management practices, when reaching optimal production and injection rates for each well. An increase in production was achieved with some reduction in water-cut, while honoring well and platform level limitations. While these represent the gains for a particular month, optimization scenarios can be run weekly or monthly to capture the dynamic nature of the problem and any operational limitations that might arise. The ability to update the models and run optimization scenarios effortlessly allows pro-active operational decisions to maximize the value of the asset.\u0000 The approach followed in this paper solves for the critical physics of the problem and supplements the remaining with machine learning algorithms. This novel and extremely practical approach facilitate the decision making to operate the field optimally.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86668087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In this paper, we will show that it is highly beneficial to model dual-porosity reservoirs using matrix refinement (similar to the multiple interacting continua, MINC, of Preuss, 1985) for water displacing oil. Two practical situations are considered. The first is the effect of matrix refinement on the unsteady-state pressure solution, and the second situation is modeling water-oil, Buckley-Leverett (BL) displacement in waterflooding a fracture-dominated flow domain. The usefulness of matrix refinement will be illustrated using a three-node refinement of individual matrix blocks. Furthermore, this model was modified to account for matrix block size variability within each grid cell (in other words, statistical distribution of matrix size within each grid cell) using a discrete matrix-block-size distribution function. The paper will include two mathematical models, one unsteady-state pressure solution of the pressure diffusivity equation for use in rate transient analysis, and a second model, the Buckley-Leverett model to track saturation changes both in the reservoir fractures and within individual matrix blocks. To illustrate the effect of matrix heterogeneity on modeling results, we used three matrix bock sizes within each computation grid and one level of grid refinement for the individual matrix blocks. A critical issue in dual-porosity modeling is that much of the fluid interactions occur at the fracture-matrix interface. Therefore, refining the matrix block helps capture a more accurate transport of the fluid in-and-out of the matrix blocks. Our numerical results indicate that the none-refined matrix models provide only a poor approximation to saturation distribution within individual matrices. In other words, the saturation distribution is numerically dispersed; that is, no matrix refinement causes unwarranted large numerical dispersion in saturation distribution. Furthermore, matrix block size-distribution is more representative of fractured reservoirs.
{"title":"Matrix Refinement in Mass Transport Across Fracture-Matrix Interface: Application to Improved Oil Recovery in Fractured Reservoirs","authors":"Sarah Abdullatif Alruwayi, O. Uzun, H. Kazemi","doi":"10.2118/208038-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/208038-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 In this paper, we will show that it is highly beneficial to model dual-porosity reservoirs using matrix refinement (similar to the multiple interacting continua, MINC, of Preuss, 1985) for water displacing oil. Two practical situations are considered. The first is the effect of matrix refinement on the unsteady-state pressure solution, and the second situation is modeling water-oil, Buckley-Leverett (BL) displacement in waterflooding a fracture-dominated flow domain.\u0000 The usefulness of matrix refinement will be illustrated using a three-node refinement of individual matrix blocks. Furthermore, this model was modified to account for matrix block size variability within each grid cell (in other words, statistical distribution of matrix size within each grid cell) using a discrete matrix-block-size distribution function. The paper will include two mathematical models, one unsteady-state pressure solution of the pressure diffusivity equation for use in rate transient analysis, and a second model, the Buckley-Leverett model to track saturation changes both in the reservoir fractures and within individual matrix blocks. To illustrate the effect of matrix heterogeneity on modeling results, we used three matrix bock sizes within each computation grid and one level of grid refinement for the individual matrix blocks.\u0000 A critical issue in dual-porosity modeling is that much of the fluid interactions occur at the fracture-matrix interface. Therefore, refining the matrix block helps capture a more accurate transport of the fluid in-and-out of the matrix blocks. Our numerical results indicate that the none-refined matrix models provide only a poor approximation to saturation distribution within individual matrices. In other words, the saturation distribution is numerically dispersed; that is, no matrix refinement causes unwarranted large numerical dispersion in saturation distribution. Furthermore, matrix block size-distribution is more representative of fractured reservoirs.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"112 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87805941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. I. Mohamed, Ahmed Mahmoud El-Menoufi, Eman Abed Ezz El-Regal, Ahmed M. S. Ali, K. Mansour, Mohamed Nagy Negm, Hatem Mohamed Hussein
Field development planning of gas condensate fields using numerical simulation has many aspects to consider that may lead to a significant impact on production optimization. An important aspect is to account for the effects of network constraints and process plant operating conditions through an integrated asset model. This model should honor proper representation of the fluid within the reservoir, through the wells and up to the network and facility. Obaiyed is one of the biggest onshore gas field in Egypt, it is a highly heterogeneous gas condensate field located in the western desert of Egypt with more than 100 wells. Three initial condensate gas ratios are existing based on early PVT samples and production testing. The initial CGR values are as following;160, 115 and 42 STB/MMSCF. With continuous pressure depletion, the produced hydrocarbon composition stream changes, causing a deviation between the design parameters and the operating parameters of the equipment within the process plant, resulting in a decrease in the recovery of liquid condensate. Therefore, the facility engineers demand a dynamic update of a detailed composition stream to optimize the system and achieve greater economic value. The best way to obtain this compositional stream is by using a fully compositional integrated asset model. Utilizing a fully compositional model in Obaiyed is challenging, computationally expensive, and impractical, especially during the history match of the reservoir numerical model. In this paper, a case study for Obaiyed field is presented in which we used an alternative integrated asset modeling approach comprising a modified black-oil (MBO) that results in significant timesaving in the full-field reservoir simulation model. We then used a proper de-lumping scheme to convert the modified black oil tables into as many components as required by the surface network and process plant facility. The results of proposed approach are compared with a fully compositional approach for validity check. The results clearly identified the system bottlenecks. The model enables the facility engineers to keep the conditions of the surface facility within the optimized operating envelope throughout the field's lifetime and will be used to propose new locations and optimize the tie-in location of future wells in addition to providing flow assurance indications throughout the field's life and under different network configurations.
{"title":"A Case History for an Integrated Asset Model with Fluid Delumping for a Complex Gas Condensate Field","authors":"M. I. Mohamed, Ahmed Mahmoud El-Menoufi, Eman Abed Ezz El-Regal, Ahmed M. S. Ali, K. Mansour, Mohamed Nagy Negm, Hatem Mohamed Hussein","doi":"10.2118/207718-ms","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2118/207718-ms","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Field development planning of gas condensate fields using numerical simulation has many aspects to consider that may lead to a significant impact on production optimization. An important aspect is to account for the effects of network constraints and process plant operating conditions through an integrated asset model. This model should honor proper representation of the fluid within the reservoir, through the wells and up to the network and facility.\u0000 Obaiyed is one of the biggest onshore gas field in Egypt, it is a highly heterogeneous gas condensate field located in the western desert of Egypt with more than 100 wells. Three initial condensate gas ratios are existing based on early PVT samples and production testing. The initial CGR values are as following;160, 115 and 42 STB/MMSCF. With continuous pressure depletion, the produced hydrocarbon composition stream changes, causing a deviation between the design parameters and the operating parameters of the equipment within the process plant, resulting in a decrease in the recovery of liquid condensate. Therefore, the facility engineers demand a dynamic update of a detailed composition stream to optimize the system and achieve greater economic value. The best way to obtain this compositional stream is by using a fully compositional integrated asset model.\u0000 Utilizing a fully compositional model in Obaiyed is challenging, computationally expensive, and impractical, especially during the history match of the reservoir numerical model.\u0000 In this paper, a case study for Obaiyed field is presented in which we used an alternative integrated asset modeling approach comprising a modified black-oil (MBO) that results in significant timesaving in the full-field reservoir simulation model. We then used a proper de-lumping scheme to convert the modified black oil tables into as many components as required by the surface network and process plant facility. The results of proposed approach are compared with a fully compositional approach for validity check. The results clearly identified the system bottlenecks. The model enables the facility engineers to keep the conditions of the surface facility within the optimized operating envelope throughout the field's lifetime and will be used to propose new locations and optimize the tie-in location of future wells in addition to providing flow assurance indications throughout the field's life and under different network configurations.","PeriodicalId":10967,"journal":{"name":"Day 1 Mon, November 15, 2021","volume":"24 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84670027","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}