The North Kuwait Carbonate (NKJG) reservoirs are currently under development by KOC (Kuwait Oil Company). The appraisal and development of the NKJG offer challenges such as lateral variations in reservoir quality, tight to very tight reservoirs and natural fracturing to a varying degree spatially. The presence of open, connected fractures is one of the key elements to achieve a successful development. Also, the presence of fracture corridors increase the risk associated with drilling. Numerous fracture modelling studies have been supporting both appraisal and development strategies of the fields. A structural evolution model has been developed based on field observations and linked to the regional phases of deformations. Detailed fracture characterization using static BHI (bore hole images) and core data as well as dynamic data has been achieved. Small scale detailed DFN (Discrete Fracture Network) in support of planning and drilling activities of future appraisal wells has been carried out. Full field DFN in support to production history matching and forecast has been completed. The core and pressure transient analysis data have been used to calibrate the permeability and porosity of the DFN property ahead of the dynamic simulation work. This paper illustrates some examples of best practices of the various study components with a focus on core to BHI calibration, fracture porosity calibration using core data and calibration of DFN models using pressure transient analysis data.

The North Kuwait Carbonate (NKJG) reservoirs are currently under development by KOC (Kuwait Oil Company). The appraisal and development of the NKJG offer challenges such as lateral variations in reservoir quality, tight to very tight reservoirs and natural fracturing to a varying degree spatially. The presence of open, connected fractures is one of the key elements to achieve a successful development. Also, the presence of fracture corridors increase the risk associated with drilling. Numerous fracture modelling studies have been supporting both appraisal and development strategies of the fields. This paper illustrates how small scale detailed DFN (Discrete Fracture Network) can support the planning and drilling activities of future appraisal wells. A series of detailed DFN models has been built around existing wells. The DFN models are based on a thorough structural understanding, detailed fracture characterization using bore-hole image (BHI) and core data around the wells of interests. In addition to the fracture characterization work, mechanical stratigraphy has been elaborated using E-facies and geomechanical logs. Fracture connectivity analysis has been carried out to calibrate the DFNs to the static and dynamic well data. Scenarios of DFN models can now be used to communicate with drilling in order to illustrate the potential fracture corridors distribution in the sub-surface.

The North Kuwait Carbonate (NKJG) reservoirs are currently under development by KOC (Kuwait Oil Company). In addition to the matrix heterogeneity, natural fracturing poses extra challenges for the optimization of the field development planning. The presence of open, connected fractures presents opportunities for infill drilling but increases the risk of water invasion and drilling related issues. Numerous fracture modelling studies have been supporting both appraisal and development strategies of the fields. The translation of the field observation and detailed fracture characterization using static BHI (bore hole image) and core data yields a series of geological concepts. These concepts capture end members of the spatial distribution of the major conductive features and provide a range of realizations for the geometrical extent of the fracture zones. Given the large uncertainty in the dynamic properties of the fracture; pressure transient analysis (PTA), complemented by core data, has proven to be key in narrowing the range of fracture equivalent permeabilities and porosities that are carried forward in the history matching step. This paper focuses on illustrating the integration of different aspects of Pressure Transient Analysis data to pre-condition the discrete fracture network (DFN) model realizations. Comparison between KH from well test and log data allows to discriminate fractured from matrix wells. Dedicated sector models around fractured wells are built to assess the impact of the matrix, faults and fracture properties on the transient pressure response. Numerical simulations are conducted directly on the static model with the fractures explicitly captured as discrete surface features. For each DFN configuration, a sensitivity analysis of the fracture properties is performed and the characteristics of the resulting pressure derivatives are then compared against the well test data to select the plausible realizations that honor both geological and flow data. In this paper, a series of examples demonstrating the application of the methodology are presented for different areas of the field.

In 2009, Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) launched the Kuwait Integrated Digital Field Jurassic (KwIDF-Jurassic) Project as a cross-domain solution consisting of a fully integrated infrastructure supporting field instrumentation, automated workflows, and ergonomic collaboration. The Jurassic gas field is a challenging environment consisting of heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs with natural fractures that can contribute significantly to productivity. Parts of the Jurassic reservoir consist of a tight matrix with a high density of connected fractures, but in other areas fractures are sparse and have limited connectivity. The high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) environment, the near-critical nature of the reservoir fluids, and the presence of H2S and CO2 are additional challenges for the development of the Jurassic complex. This project is the first in Kuwait to instrument gas wells with pressure and temperature gauges; H2S, gas, and corrosion sensors, and safety and control devices as a first step toward delivering on KOC's vision for integrated operations. The application of intelligent automation at the wellhead and advanced instrumentation minimizes the health, safety, and environmental (HSE) exposure of field personnel. Interventions at the wellsite can be supported by handheld portable devices embedded with work orders. New digital field work processes, supported by collaboration rooms, enable proactive, real-time decisions in accordance to the exploitation strategy defined for the field. One outcome is to use technology to leverage the competence of disciplines, such as the subsurface team, to contribute in real time to production operations as opposed to the traditional nonoperational role of studies and reviews. This paper presents a case study demonstrating the methodology and tools KOC has used to achieve timely and reliable data delivery for the Jurassic asset as part of the KwIDF-Jurassic Project.

No abstract