An Engineering Approach To Predicting Post-Treatment Well Performance Using Selective Chemical Water Shut-Off Techniques: An RPM Example

摘要

The demand for effective selective chemical water controltechniques is at an all time high, as old fields tend towardsmaturity and decline. This has become even greater, as theindustry trend is toward horizontal and high angle wellcompletions, where techniques to mitigate water production atbreakthrough and subsequent to that, still remain elusive. Evenwhen an effective solution is identified in laboratory tests, theabsence of a reliable method to predict actual job posttreatmentperformance remains a major obstacle to thebuilding of confidence in the field. In addition to thedifficulty in establishing conviction of potential users, a poorability to predict the results also limits the ability to recycleand build on the successes of these technologies, as well as toexplain their failures and improve on job designs.The aim of this paper is therefore to present an easymethod for predicting the outcome of selective matrix watercontrol chemical treatments – specifically with relativepermeability modifiers (RPMs). This method appliesreservoir fluid mechanics principles and uses tools alreadyavailable in the oil industry’s predictive inventory. It also linkslaboratory test results with field performance prediction. Themethod is more of a guide. Specific field circumstances maylead to modification of certain assumptions. The corereasoning should however apply to most circumstances whereRPM technologies are properly applied. As an initial tool foruse, this approach should help provide a first order ofmagnitude performance prediction, while further applicationsand results would be used to fine tune its predictability.This paper also presents an easy-to-follow procedure to assistwith the understanding of this RPM-treatmentprediction technique.