Layer | Fill | Outline |
---|
Map layers
Theme | Visible | Selectable | Appearance | Zoom Range (now: 0) |
---|
Fill | Stroke |
---|---|
Collaborating Authors
Results
Copyright 2013, Society of Petroleum Engineers This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Unconventional Resources Conference-Canada held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 5-7 November 2013. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright. Abstract Comparison of rock properties and production performance between the uppermost lithostratigraphic unit ("Monteith A") and the lowermost portion ("Monteith C") of the Monteith Formation in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) in Alberta is carried out with the use of existing gas wells. The analyses are targeted to understand the major geologic controls that differentiate the two strata. The approach involves multi-scale description and evaluation techniques of cores and drill cuttings, including multiple laboratory measurements of key reservoir parameters. The ultimate goal is to understand the distribution of reservoir quality in each stratigraphy unit within the Monteith in the study area. This study comprises basic analytical tools available for geological characterization of tight gas Formations based on the identification and comparison of different rock types for each lithostratigraphic unit: depositional, petrographic, and hydraulic. As these low-permeability sandstone reservoirs have been subjected to post-depositional diagenesis, a comparison of the various rock types allows to generate a more accurate reservoir description, and to better understand the key geologic characteristics that control gas production potential. It is concluded that "Monteith A" Unit has better rock quality than the Monteith C", due to less heterogeneous reservoir geometry, less complex mineralogical composition, and larger pore throat apertures. These results are linked successfully with Monteith production capabilities. Introduction Characterization of unconventional, low-permeability siliciclastic reservoirs has been addressed for many Formations in the United States (Fracasso et al., 1988; Shanley et al., 2004).
- North America > Canada > British Columbia (1.00)
- North America > Canada > Alberta > Census Division No. 6 > Calgary Metropolitan Region > Calgary (0.25)
- Phanerozoic > Mesozoic > Cretaceous > Lower Cretaceous (0.93)
- Phanerozoic > Mesozoic > Jurassic > Upper Jurassic (0.82)
- Geology > Rock Type > Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Rock > Sandstone (1.00)
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Stratigraphy (1.00)
Abstract A naturally fractured reservoir consists of two distinct regions, each one with its own porosity and permeability. Data obtained from core analysis, such as permeability porosity, relative permeability curves and capillary pressures, are representative, in general, of only the matrix system. (Some exceptions occur in the case of full core analysis and when there are micro fractures in a conventional plug.) Consequently, data from conventional core analysis should not be used in material balances or numerical simulators without proper corrections to account for the presence of fractures. Furthermore, as reservoir pressure declines, there is a reduction in porosity and permeability due to closing of the fractures. This effect produces a continuous change in the relative perm abilities of the composite system. This paper presents techniques to generate relative permeability curves for a double-porosity system at initial and subsequent reservoir pressures. The techniques are based on integrated studies of core, log and well testing data, and net overburden pressures. Introduction In many cases, data obtained from core analysis, 'such as permeability, porosity, relative permeability characteristics and capillary pressure curves, are used in the evaluation of naturally fractured reservoirs without accounting properly for the presence of fractures. The data obtained from cores apply in nearly all cases to the matrix system only, Consequently, the use of these data without proper corrections can lead to serious errors when forecasting the performance of naturally fractured reservoirs. Experience indicates that the gas-oil ratio increases faster in fractured than in non-fractured reservoirs. This occurs because the critical gas saturation within the fracture network is very small and in many cases approaches zero. Furthermore, this occurs because the curve of relative permeability to gas in the fractured reservoir is steeper than in the non-fractured reservoir. An exception occurs in a few prolific naturally fractured reservoirs where the GOR remains nearly constant due to gravity segregation with counter-flow enhanced by the presence of vertical fractures. An example of a significant increase in gas-oil ratio below the bubble point is provided by the Driver field (Spraberry Sand) of Texas (Fig, 1). Note that the GOR had increased to about 12,000 scf /STB when the oil recovery was less than 7 per cent. An important increase over the initial gas in solution had been noticed already at recoveries as low as 3 and 4 per cent. To avoid potential economic fiascos due to optimistic forecasts of naturally fractured reservoirs,' it is necessary to work with relative permeability curves representative of the composite system. In some cases, composite relative permeability curves which remain constant over the life of the reservoir have been used. In other situations, a set of relative permeability has been used for the matrix and a different set has been used for the fractures. It appears, however, that in some reservoirs there is a tendency for the fractures to close as the reservoir is depleted because of an increase in the net overburden pressure. In these cases, there is a continuous change in the relative permeability curves. This paper presents methods to generate such relative permeability curves.
- North America > United States > Texas > Midland County (0.25)
- North America > United States > Texas > Martin County (0.25)
- North America > United States > Texas > Howard County (0.25)
- North America > United States > Texas > Dawson County (0.25)