Thermally Recovered Reservoir Management and EOR for a Multi-Layered Sandstone Oilfield

doi:10.7657/XJPG20240109

Abstract

Abstract:

This paper presents the characteristics and development history of the multi-layered sandstone heavy oil reservoirs in the Kern River field，USA，and specifically discusses the practices of thermally recovered reservoir management and enhanced oil recovery (EOR). The Kern River field is a monocline reservoir of hydrodynamic trap. In the late stage of steam flooding，the practices such as C/O spectral logging，4D time-lapse dynamic surveillance during thermal recovery，injector-producer performance monitoring，isolated single-channel sandbody identification and tracking，and full-field 3D geological modeling and numerical simulation lay a basis for identifying remaining oil and enhancing oil recovery. Artificial intelligence，steam-foam flooding，and layered steam injection through dual-tubing completion are proved technologies for expanding the swept volume of steam flooding. Infill drilling，horizontal well drilling，and horizontal sidetracking in shallow oil reservoirs provide additional opportunities for significantly increasing the recoverable reserves. These technologies enable the production of horizontal well to be more than three times that of adjacent vertical wells. To exploit “cold reservoirs” near the oil-water contact in the downdip zone of the reservoir，water producers are drilled in the downdip aquifer zone to release reservoir pressure，allowing the remaining oil in this zone to be effectively swept by steam.

Key words: Kern River field, heavy oil, multi-layered sandstone reservoir, steam flooding, EOR, thermally recovered reservoir management, horizontal well, artificial intelligence

CLC Number:

TE345

LYU Xiaoguang, LI Wei. Thermally Recovered Reservoir Management and EOR for a Multi-Layered Sandstone Oilfield[J]. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 2024, 45(1): 65-71.

Figures/Tables 6

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.

References 28

[1]	赵洪岩, 葛明曦, 张鸿. 辽河油田超稠油蒸汽驱技术界限研究与应用[J]. 特种油气藏, 2022, 29(2):98-103. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-6535.2022.02.014
	ZHAO Hongyan, GE Mingxi, ZHANG Hong. Research and application of steam flooding technical limit for super heavy oil in Liaohe oilfield[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 2022, 29(2):98-103.
[2]	郭云飞, 刘慧卿, 刘人杰, 等. 稠油油藏SAGD蒸汽腔位置综合评估及产量预测[J]. 新疆石油地质, 2022, 43(4):484-490.
	GUO Yunfei, LIU Huiqing, LIU Renjie, et al. Comprehensive evaluation on steam chamber location and production prediction of SAGD in heavy oil reservoirs[J]. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 2022, 43(4):484-490.
[3]	孟祥兵, 孙新革, 罗池辉, 等. 强非均质超稠油SAGD储集层升级扩容数值模拟[J]. 新疆石油地质, 2023, 44(2):210-216.
	MENG Xiangbing, SUN Xinge, LUO Chihui, et al. Numerical simulation on upgrading and dilation of SAGD ultra-heavy oil reservoirs[J]. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 2023, 44(2):210-216.
[4]	孙振彪. 蒸汽驱井下温度压力连续监测采油技术研究与试验:以曙光油田杜229块为例[J]. 石油地质与工程, 2020, 34(1):103-106.
	SUN Zhenbiao. Continuous monitoring oil production technology of downhole temperature and pressure by steam flooding:By taking Du-229 block in Shuguang oilfield as an example[J]. Petroleum Geology and Engineering, 2020, 34(1):103-106.
[5]	刘斌. 齐40断块蒸汽驱试验效果评价方法研究[J]. 特种油气藏, 2005, 12(1):33-35.
	LIU Bin. Assessment methods for steam drive test in Qi40 fault block[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 2005, 12(1):33-35.
[6]	王莉利, 刘涛, 蔡玉川. 倾斜油藏蒸汽驱后期接替开发方式优化:以辽河断陷盆地西部凹陷欢曙上台阶齐40块为例[J]. 新疆石油地质, 2017, 38(3):319-324.
	WANG Lili, LIU Tao, CAI Yuchuan. Optimization of successive development methods of inclined reservoirs at late stage of steam flooding:A case study from Block Qi 40 in western sag of Liaohe rifted basin[J]. Xinjiang Petroleum Geology, 2017, 38(3):319-324.
[7]	卢迎波, 胡鹏程, 申婷婷, 等. 电加热辅助蒸汽吞吐提高水平井水平段动用程度的技术[J]. 大庆石油地质与开发, 2022, 41(2):167-174.
	LU Yingbo, HU Pengcheng, SHEN Tingting, et al. Enhancing technique of horizontal section producing degree by electrical heating assistant steam huff and puff for horizontal well[J]. Petroleum Geology & Oilfield Development in Daqing, 2022, 41(2):167-174.
[8]	刘奇鹿. 薄互层超稠油油藏蒸汽驱技术研究与试验[J]. 特种油气藏, 2022, 29(6):97-103. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-6535.2022.06.012
	LIU Qilu. Study and test on steam flooding technology for thin interbedded ultra-heavy oil reservoirs[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reserviors, 2022, 29(6):97-103.
[9]	廖广志, 马德胜, 王正茂, 等. 油田开发重大试验实践与认识[M]. 北京: 石油工业出版社, 2018.
	LIAO Guangzhi, MA Desheng, WANG Zhengmao, et al. Practice and theory of industrial & pilot test in oilfield development[M]. Beijing: Petroleum Industry Press, 2018.
[10]	李晓光. 辽河坳陷欢喜岭油田稠油成藏条件及勘探开发关键技术[J]. 石油学报, 2021, 42(4):541-560. doi: 10.7623/syxb202104010
	LI Xiaoguang. Accumulation conditions,key technologies for exploration and development of heavy oil in Huanxiling oilfield,Liaohe depression[J]. Acta Petrolei Sinica, 2021, 42(4):541-560. doi: 10.7623/syxb202104010
[11]	SILALAHI H, AJI M, ELISA A, et al. Advancing steamflood performance through a new integrated optimization process:Transform from the concept into practical[R]. SPE 196249, 2019.
[12]	GREASER G R, SHORE R A. Steamflood performance in the Kern River field[R]. SPE 8834, 1980.
[13]	HAJDU P E, MERRELL J M, SANFORD S J. Vertical expansion of the 10-pattern steamflood,Kern River field,California[R]. SPE 18773, 1989.
[14]	POPA A S. Identification of horizontal well placement using fuzzy logic[R]. SPE 166313, 2013.
[15]	POPA A S, CASSIDY S. Heavy oil field development revitalized through horizontal and lateral re-entry wells[R]. SPE 170704, 2014.
[16]	BRELIH D A, KODL E J. Detailed mapping of fluvial sand bodies improves perforating strategy at Kern River field[R]. SPE 20080, 1990.
[17]	COBURN M G, GILLESPIE J M. A hydrologic study to optimize steamflood performance in a giant oilfield:Kern River field,California[J]. AAPG Bulletin, 2002, 86(8):1489-1505.
[18]	WILLAMS L L, FONG W S, KUMAR M. Effects of discontinuous shales on multizone steamflood performance in the Kern River field[R]. SPE 73174, 1998
[19]	BAUMANN C E, OSTERLOH W T, TEMPLE R C, et al. Full field simulation of aquifer interdiction in the Kern River field,California[R]. SPE 75151, 2002
[20]	DORNAN R G. Hot waterflood in a post-steamflood reservoir:A case history in the Kern River field,California[R]. SPE 20050, 1990
[21]	OSTERLOH W T, JONES J. Process for recovery of extremely shallow heavy oil[R]. SPE 68809, 2001
[22]	GREATER G R, ORTIZ J R. New thermal recovery technology and technology transfer for successful heavy oil development[R]. SPE 69731, 2001
[23]	POPA C, POPA A, COVER A. Zonal allocation and increased production opportunities using data mining in Kern River[R]. SPE 90226, 2004
[24]	POPA A, RAMOS R, COVER A, et al. Integration of artificial intelligence and lean sigma for large-field production optimization:Application to Kern River field[R]. SPE 97247, 2005
[25]	HIGHT M A, REDUS C L, LEHRMANN J K. Evaluation of dual injection methods for multiple zone steamflooding[R]. SPE 18811, 1989
[26]	WEGIS A. Multi-zone injection by limited-entry through tubing[R]. SPE 66752, 2001
[27]	PATZEK T W, KOINIS M T. Kern River steam-foam pilots[J]. Journal of Petroleum Technology, 1990, 42(4):496-503. doi: 10.2118/17380-PA
[28]	RESTINE J L, GRAVES W G, ELIAS JR R. Infill drilling in a steamflood operation:Kern River field[J]. SPE Reservoir Engineering, 1987, 2(2):243-248. doi: 10.2118/14337-PA