HGS CE Class: Reservoir Engineering Tools for Geoscientists

Today geoscientists recognize that in order to find more oil and gas and to optimize production from existing fields it is important to understand reservoir properties and architecture. A holistic approach is required to achieve the most reliable model to properly test and develop the reservoir. A team approach that integrates the technical skills of the members is the most effective approach to achieving a better reservoir understanding and description. In my experience, this integrated approach has resulted in finding significant new reserves both in new fields and within older producing fields. For teams to be effective it is useful for members to have an understanding of terminology and applications of the tools available to other disciplines to facilitate questions and suggestions that enhance the integration of these disciplines. 

 

With this goal, this course will discuss how applying several reservoir engineering concepts can enhance the reservoir description, and in many cases, help in finding new reservoirs or identify unrecoverable reserves. The tools described are determining oil or gas in place (OIP/GIP) using volumetrics, material balance and decline curve analysis. Ultimate hydrocarbon recovery is a function of rock type and the reservoir drive mechanism. The course material will describe how to determine the drive mechanism using producing properties and predict recovery efficiency. The Winland technique, using core and log data, will be discussed as an approach to establishing the rock type and relating that rock type to reservoir and well performance. Finally, the selection and analysis of openhole wireline pressure-depth measurements is discussed. These are an underutilized, but important tool for describing hydrocarbon-water contacts and vertical and lateral reservoir compartments. Practical examples are used to illustrate the application and results of these techniques.