Publications

Duri Field, the largest steam-flood in the world, is recognized for its cutting-edge technology applications. Specifically, reservoir surveillance using time-lapse seismic to capture steam front images has dramatically improved reservoir heat management. However, time-lapse seismic alone could not fully model the actual reservoir flow mechanics when multiple zones are steamed concurrently. Understanding the reservoir flow characteristics during the time period between each seismic survey is required for daily optimization of oil recovery. Incorporation of other reservoir surveillance information into a comprehensive and integrated reservoir ",earth model", is needed. Such a model is being constructed for the Duri Steam Flood.The integrated 4-dimensional Duri earth model incorporates time-lapse seismic data, completion data, production data, surveillance data and reservoir parameters into a computerized visualization system. The model will describe each discrete flow unit and can allow identification and prediction of steam movement over time.The integration between flow-unit, engineering data, and 4-D seismic provide a complete 3-dimensional picture of the steamed and non-steamed zones. Using this 3-dimensional model, oil recovery is optimized by changing the design of injection patterns, reinjecting the steam for low-grade and medium-grade reservoir flow units, and locating by-passed oil zones.Pattern reviews conducted by the asset crossfunctional team are quick and efficient. The team can quickly solve real-time field problems such as steam breakthrough in high permeable, thief zones and define corrective actions to improve the oil recovery. Joining the 4-dimensional earth model with the world-class Caltex IVCCs (Integrated Visualization and Communication Centers), the cross-functional team are reducing their evaluation cycle times.Computing advances such as routine scripting in GOCAD@ and use of geostatistical tools has reduced the model construction times by 60%, from 3 months to 4 weeks.