A New Theory for Interpreting Rate Decline Trends in Solution-Gas Drive Reservoirs

Mosobalaje, O. O. and Tiab, D. A New Theory for Interpreting Rate Decline Trends in Solution-Gas Drive Reservoirs. CANADIAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION. pp. 58-68. ISSN 1929-7408

PDF Download (2MB)

Abstract

A number of attempts have been made to establish the theories of rate decline in solution-gas drive reservoirs with multiphase flow. However, none of these attempts have established a functional link between the empirical and the theoretical domains of decline curve analysis for such reservoirs. The absence of such a link has inhibited the formulation of simple techniques for reservoir properties estimation. The purpose of this work is therefore to establish the missing link. In this work, functional relationships between the empirical bemp and the theoretical bth were derived. The derivation was based on a novel definition of a new parameter known as time-weighted average of the theoretical exponent bth .This new parameter was found to be related to the empirical exponent bemp, thus establishing the link. A reservoir simulator was used to generate sets of production data used in verifying the derived relationships. Results presented in this paper show that the relationships derived herein are valid, even for heterogeneous reservoirs. The work also offered theoretical justifications for the various ranges of bth values, and for the first time, four distinct rate decline regimes in solution-gas drive reservoirs were identified. Sensitivity analyses were performed on the results. The effects of non-Darcy flow on decline parameters were also investigated. Lastly, this work provided a mathematical justification for the existence of the hyperbolic family of curves in decline analysis of solution-gas drive reservoirs

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Engineering Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs Patricia Nwokealisi
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2015 15:03
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2015 15:03
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/3464

Actions (login required)

View Item