Basic Reservoir Engineering for Non-Petroleum Engineers

Introduction

The objective of reservoir engineering is to optimize hydrocarbon recovery. This course will introduce basic reservoir engineering concepts and methods to enable the cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas and experience. The course will help participants to understand crucial questions such as, how much oil and gas is there (accumulation)? How much can be recovered (reserves)? How fast can it be recovered (rate)? The participants will also work practical problems to ensure a thorough understanding of the principles and procedures.

This comprehensive course describes the main aspects of reservoir engineering. Reservoir engineering has been defined as (the art of developing and producing oil and gas fluids in such a manner as to obtain a high economic recovery). The course begins with a broad overview showing how reservoir engineers assess the value of the reservoir from volumetric, fluids, flow, and investment perspectives. Next is an elaboration on how much oil can be recovered from various natural reservoir drive mechanisms. Next decline curves are used to explain how investors forecast well or reservoir production. Then we explore how key well and reservoir flow properties are quantified through the formation and well testing. Finally, flow simulation modeling is explained as a way to rigorously forecast primary, secondary, and even tertiary or enhanced oil production

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to

• Learn how reservoir engineers assess the value of an asset
• Understand the physics of petroleum reservoirs
• Learn how primary reserves are estimated based on production and reservoir pressure data
• Understand how evaluation and recovery of oil and gas reserves is done (classification of reserves, recovery factors, volumetric of oil and gas reservoirs)
• Learn how well and reservoir performance is characterized using pressure transient data
• Learn how flow simulation is used to forecast production
• Know concepts of fluid flow through porous media
• Know fluid properties in reservoir engineering (fluid types, phase behavior, correlations, and equations of state)
• Gain knowledge of fundamental rock properties (porosity, wettability, capillary pressure, permeability, relative permeability, and other concepts)
• Know how material balance calculations are performed (material balance concept, drive index,
  water influx models)
• Know about decline curve analysis
• Understand reservoir simulation basics
• Know about enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods
• Facilitate communication between reservoir engineers and geoscientists

Target Audience

Non-petroleum engineers and nontechnical personnel working with and supporting engineers and geologists in the exploration and production process such as Geoscientists and landmen will benefit from attending this seminar.

Reservoir Engineering Outline

The course covers the following topics:

Introduction

• Objectives
• Units and Conversion Factor
• Basic Definitions
• Recovery Phases

Rock Properties

• Basic Rock Properties
• Relative Permeability
• Capillary Pressure

Key Geologic Data

• Reliable Geologic Models
• Shale and Clay
• Heterogeneity and Anisotropy
• Natural Fracture

Fluid Properties

• Basic Fluid Properties
• Reliability of Fluid Properties
• Types of Oil and Gas Reservoir

Reservoir Volumetric and Recovery Factors

• Original Oil in Place
• Definition of Recovery Factor
• Mobility Ratio in Displacement

Fluid Flow Concept in Oil and Gas Reservoirs

• Natural of Reservoir Flow
• Fluid Flow for Steady-State System
• Fluid Flow for Transient Flow
• Additional Equations in Reservoir Flow

Some Applications of Fluid Flow Equations

• Productivity Index
• Well Test Analysis
• Water Influx from Aquifers
• Frontal Advanced Theory

Material Balance for Various Reservoir Types

• Natural Drive Mechanism
• Material Balance Equations for Oil and Gas Reservoirs

Reservoir Performance in Primary Recovery

• Performance Prediction Using Material Balance Equations
• Performance Prediction from Decline Curve Analysis
• Statistical Methods for Performance Predictions

Reservoir Simulation

• General Concept
• Selecting Simulation Elements and Simulation Grids
• Simulation Input Data
• Elements of Simulation Study