Managing the subsurface

At the development planning stage, a reservoir mode/will have been constructed and used to determine the optimum method of recovering the hydrocarbons from the reservoir. The criteria for the optimum solution will most likely have been based on profitability and safety. The model Is Initially based upon a limited data set (perhaps a seismic survey, and say five exploration and appraisal wells) and will therefore be an approximation of the true description of the field. As development drilling and production commence, further data is collected and used to update both the geological model (the description of the structure, environment of deposition, diagenesis and fluid distribution) and the reservoir model (the description of the reservoir under dynamic conditions). 

The reservoir model will usually be a computer based simulation model, such as the 3D model described in Section 8. As production continues, the monitoring programme generates a data base containing information on the performance of the field. The reservoir model is used to check whether the initial assumptions and description of the reservoir were correct. Where inconsistencies between the predicted and observed behaviour occur, the model is reviewed and adjusted until a new match (a so-called history match ) is achieved. The updated model is then used to predict future performance of the field, and as such is a very useful tool for generating production forecasts. In addition, the model is used to predict the outcome of alternative future development plans. The criterion used for selection is typically profitability (or any other stated objective of the operating company). 

Some specific examples of the use of data gathered while monitoring the reservoir will now be discussed. 

If the original field development plan was not based on a 3-D seismic survey (which would be a commonly used tool for new fields nowadays), then it would now be normal practice to shoot a 3-D survey for development purposes. The survey would help to provide definition of the reservoir structure and continuity (faulting and the extension of reservoir sands), which is used to better locate the development wells. In some cases time-lapse 3-D seismic 4D surveys carried out a number of years apart, see Section 2) is used to track the displacement of fluids in the reservoir. 

The data gathered from the logs and cores of the development wells are used to refine the correlation, and better understand areal and vertical changes in the reservoir quality. Core material may also be used to support log data in determining the residual hydrocarbon saturation left behind in a swept zone (e.g. the residual oil saturation to water flooding). 

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