Abstract
The need to re-develop one of the Brown fields located in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria was
necessitated by the fact that there are still three undeveloped reservoirs in the field.
A total of six stacked reservoirs, A100 to A600 (all oil bearing with associated gas) were
penetrated between 8552 ftss and 10652 ftss by APV-1 well. Reservoir blocks A200 and A600
are the largest in the field accounting for 77% of the total field STOIIP. The well was completed
with a Two String Multiple (TSM) on the two levels, with the short string producing from the
A200 reservoir and the long string producing from the deeper A600 reservoir, A300 behind the
sleeve.
The purpose of this research is to identify the best developmental plan to produce the reservoirs,
either with a TSM completion or with a Smart well completion based on the economics. There
are many single well fields in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria that have not been optimally
produced, hence this study seeks to maximi
1.0 BACKGROUND
Petroleum reserves are declining, and fewer noteworthy discoveries have been made in recent
years (Abdus, 1990). The need to increase recovery from the vast amount of remaining oil and to
compete globally require healthier reservoir management practices (Abdus et al, 1994).
However, technological developments in all areas of petroleum exploration and exploitation,
along with fast increasing computing power, are providing the tools to better develop and
manage reservoirs to maximize economic recovery of hydrocarbons (Abdus, 1990).
A reservoir’s life begins with exploration, which leads to discovery; reservoir delineation; field
development; production by primary, secondary and tertiary means; and abandonment (Figure.
1.1).
Sound reservoir management is the key to successful operation of the reservoir throughout its
entire life. It is a continuous course, unlike how the baton is passed in traditional E&P
organizations (Abdus et al, 1994).
Reservoir Management is all about excellence in the Operate phase of an E&P project life cycle.
This is the only phase (Operate) that earns income, to provide the return on investment and it is
the longest of the four (4) E & P business phases (Exploration, Appraisal, Development and
Operate) spanning decades. (Shell WRM Operational Excellence, 2010).
Complete reservoir management requires the use of both human and technological resources for
maximizing profits (Abdus et al, 1994). It requires good coordination of geologists,
geophysicists, production, and petroleum engineers to advance petroleum exploration,
development, and production. Also, technological advances and computer tools can facilitate
better reservoir management as well as enhance economic recovery of hydrocarbons. Even a
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small percent increase in recovery efficiency could amount to significant additional recovery and
profit. These incentives and challenges provide the motivation to sound reservoir management.
Reservoir simulation is the way by which one uses a numerical model of the geological and
petrophysical characteristics of a hydrocarbon reservoir to analyze and predict fluid behavior in
the reservoir over time. In its simple form, a reservoir simulation model is made up of three
parts: (i) a geological model in the form of a volumetric grid with face properties that describes
the given porous rock formation; (ii) a flow model that defines how fluids flow in a porous
medium, typically given as a set of partial differential equations expressing conservation of mass
or volumes together with suitable closure relations; and (iii) a well model that describes the flow
in and out of the reservoir, including a model for flow within the well bore and any coupling to
flow control devices or surface facilities (Lie, 1994).
Figure 1.: Reservoir life process (Abdus et al, 1994).
Reservoir Management approaches have been used over the years to make optimal decisions in
terms of improving production and maximizing the life of the reservoir. This concept is applied
in this study for optimization of the Niger Delta field using MBAL simulation.
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1.1 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Petroleum reserves are dwindling, and fewer significant discoveries have been made in recent
years. Hence, the need to effectively maximize recovery from the huge amount of remaining oil.
1.2 AIM
The aim of this study is to maximize the life of the field, with a key focus on Reservoir
Management/developments strategies.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
The study objectives include:
? Allow the field to flow without any work over
? Work over 3 Reservoirs by completing with Two String Multiple(TSM)
? Work over 3 Reservoirs (Intervals) by completing with Smart well
? Economic Analysis of the field development plans.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This project involves maximizing the value of a Niger Delta field.
? The reservoirs were modelled with MBAL software and all assumptions of tank model apply
? Parameters inputted are for the field of study; Geological data, Petrophysical data, Reservoir
data, etc.
? Economic Analysis was done using oil price of $48.16 and a gas price of $2.07.
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1.5 MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY
I strongly believe that this study will enable me to integrate the basic Petroleum Engineering
principles acquired in school, with industry best practices and thus equip me with a holistic
knowledge (Sub-surface) of the E & P business.