TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractHydraulic Flow Unit (HU) has been used extensively as a technique in permeability modeling and rock typing. Amaefule et al. (1993) introduced for the first time the concept of Reservoir Quality Index (RQI) and Flow Zone Indicator (FZI) by using the Kozeny-Carmen (K-C) model to characterize HU and predict permeability in uncored wells and intervals.This technique has helped in enhancing the capability to capture the various reservoir flow behavior based on its respective characters. Yet, there are challenges in using the original correlation due to its inherent limitations and over simplified assumptions that prevent accurate HU definitions. This study highlights some of those shortcomings and proposes a modified K-C correlation that enhances the HU characterization.It is found that the conventional K-C model ignores the inherent nonlinear behavior between the tortuosity and porosity. Hence, handling the tortuosity term in a more representative manner demonstrates a more rigorous correlation that extends the applicability of this powerful technique into more heterogeneous rocks -such as those found in carbonate reservoirs. This paper presents a reservoir simulation case study that is conducted to validate the applicability of the proposed model as a rock typing technique in a heterogeneous carbonate reservoir in the Middle East region. Relative permeability curves, Leverett J-Function curves and initial water saturation distribution show good agreement within each HU generated using the proposed model.It is recognized that modified Kozeny-Carmen technique give better matching of initial water saturation model than the conventional technique when compared to open-hole logs which, in turn; adds confidence to initial hydrocarbon-in-place calculations and reservoir behavior predictions. This result will ultimately enhance the prediction of reservoir performance under various scenarios in reservoir simulation.

fax 01-972-952-9435. AbstractThe BDO EOR feasibility study conducted in 2004 by PETRONAS and Sarawak Shell Berhad (SSB) identified a potential incremental recovery of over 250 MMstb from the Baram Delta Operation (BDO) fields 1 . This incremental oil can be realized from CO 2 injection under miscible and immiscible conditions. On average, this represents an additional 12% incremental recovery above the base case of water flooding. This paper outlines the methodology used in the developing the most cost-effective pilot at Baronia RV2 reservoirs that could potentially lead to economic maturation of new reserves in the whole of the BDO area as well as formulating the most comprehensive monitoring and evaluation techniques of the pilot.

To a great degree, the success or failure of a field development plan depends on the choice of well locations, which together with areal and vertical sweep drives hydrocarbon recovery from the field. Choosing the optimum well locations is, however, non-trivial and requires a thorough understanding of hydrocarbon reservoir performance and properties. Even after the locations are identified there is a need to further rank the wells in terms of confidence as part of the risk assessment. Many methods currently used to place wells rely heavily on the final history matched model, which may be misleading because history matching is a non-unique solution and different history matched models may give different prediction results. This paper presents a workflow using the fuzzy logic approach that combines history matching uncertainties with field performance data to help generate a confidence index for well placement. In contrast to neural networks, which take training data and generate opaque models, fuzzy logic allows a geoscientist to build models on top of experience from the experts. All the expert opinions and reservoir understanding can be dictated as a simple set of rules and logic to define the well placement confidence index, which could then be used to propose field development plans with a much higher level of confidence. This, in turn, helps with better decision making and reduces the risk involved in drilling additional infill wells.

An integrated environment consists of professionals from various backgrounds of engineering and geosciences that carry out tasks conjointly through advanced integrated technologies. In the oil and gas industry, the aim is toward developing the optimized field development plan as well as solving complex subsurface challenges. Young Professionals are integrated within the experienced professionals’ team to work on challenging tasks to develop their learning curve. The Young Professionals’ development plan starts in the integrated environment - of engineers and geoscientists - by assigning them to mentors who are subject matter experts. Spanning from core analysis to reservoir modeling, the Young Professionals work on different tasks in parallel to gain a well-rounded knowledge base in an optimized timeframe. The Young Professionals initially start with simple tasks such as data mining and basic log analysis, before integrating into the more challenging tasks of decision making in modeling. In an integrated environment, the Young Professionals get exposed to various tasks and concepts, accelerating the learning and development that would take much longer in a silo-type environment. As an added value, the Young Professionals develop their soft skills to communicate with the team and share their opinions. As the Young Professionals excel in the simple tasks, more challenging tasks from different backgrounds are given to them to challenge and expand their critical thinking methods. Over a relatively short period of time, Young Professionals’ critical thinking methods are developed and they start taking the lead in tasks and even come up with out-of-the-box solutions to overcome the many challenges of developing and optimizing an integrated reservoir study. Integrated environments provide unique opportunities for Young Professionals to unlock their full potential. Experts from various disciplines carry out their tasks through the Young Professionals. The interactive environment is a key factor in exposing Young Professionals to different challenges, scenarios, and solutions, which help in enhancing their development.