Recoverable Reserve Estimation in a Tight Gas Reservoir During the Exploration Stage, Neuquen, Argentina

摘要

A rapid and an effective reservoir simulation model was built based on limited information. 3D seismic impedance, two exploratory wells’ log interpretation, a core data, and a well test consisting of an isochronal test and, several months later, an extended flow followed by long build up test were basic available data for this field. The main objective of this study is to estimate recoverable reserve with or without hydraulic fracturing in Mulichinco formation at the Paso Del Indio Field. Material balance and decline curve analyses have important limitations to estimate ultimate recoverable reserves in the tight gas reservoirs. Well types that are derived from the conceptual simulation models do not reflect the effective drainage area or permeability heterogeneity in the field. A representative permeability in well spacing area should be averaged harmonically or geometrically. In order to estimate the ultimate recoverable reserves in the tight gas reservoirs, permeability heterogeneity or the effective available drainage area to hydraulic fractures should be simulated effectively. Relatively small changes in permeability can results in unsuccessful fracture design and in uneconomical flow rates. A very quick and effective simple reservoir simulation model was established to estimate recoverable reserves rather than using conventional volumetric, material balance, and decline curve analysis in tight gas reservoirs. Not having any production histories, well test information was used very successfully as history matching information to validate the geological, petrophysical, and PVT models.