Near well simulation of heavy oil reservoir with water drive

Abstract

The Depletion of oil production and the low recovery rate are major challenges faced in oil production at Norwegian continental self. Several studies have shown that considerable amount of oil still remains after the well shutdown. Heavy oil reservoirs occupy more than two third of globally oil reserves. Therefore, extensive studies are undergone to optimize the oil recovery in heavy oil reservoirs. Water flooding and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods are successfully implemented. Water breakthrough strongly affects on the recovery factor in heavily oil reservoirs and water cut is exponentially increased after the breakthrough. Inflow Control Devices (ICDs) are becoming handy in controlling water cut of the inflow. The water coning effect of the reservoir is also reduced by ICDS. Water coning depends on reservoir properties and recovery techniques. Hence, a better understanding about them are needed to observe and develop oil production. Literature review is provided useful information over and affecting factors of water breakthrough in heavy oil reservoirs. Moreover, the oil production is needed to be optimized within the handling capacity of offshore platforms. ICDs are used to control the multiphase flow behavior in production flow. Furthermore, multiphase flow behavior can be used to describe most of the characteristics in oil production. The reservoir flow simulator, Rocx in combination with OLGA is used to simulate heavy oil reservoirs with water drive. Simulations are carried out to observe the influence of reservoir properties on oil recovery and the inflow controlling mechanisms. Results obtained can be utilized to increase the oil recovery factor and to regulate the multiphase flow within the limitations.