Emerging Techniques and Methods for Improving Core-To-Oil &amp; Oil Zone Production Correlations in Reservoir Geochemistry

Barrie, Craig D.; Donohue, Casey; Zumberge, J. Alex; Rocher, Don; Jarvie, Brian M.; Taylor, Kyle

doi:10.3997/2214-4609.201902950

Cited by 1 publication

(4 citation statements)

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“…HRGC includes peak height and area results as well as peak ratios from both the heavy range of the chromatography (i.e., pristane/phytane) and the gasoline or light hydrocarbon (LHC) range (<nC 9 ). Hydrocarbon extract samples are analyzed using the sample method on the GC, but are extracted from core chips using a CS2 solvent method while being kept chilled at all times to maximize LC sample integrity [17,19]. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was carried out on the branched/cyclic component of the saturated fraction and on the aromatic fraction.…”

Section: Geochemical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…HCA is a statistical algorithm which is used to group similar samples into clusters. In the petroleum industry these clusters are referred to by a number of names, including tribes and families, although all of these terms really refer back to the cluster definition in HCA [15,17,18,20]. Each cluster of samples share similar characteristics, and in this scenario geochemical parameters, which distinguishes them from other clusters of samples.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies that allocate production fluids back to specific target formations have utilized extracts from core material (sometimes cuttings) from target formations and have assumed that these extracts are representative of produced fluid end-members [5,16]. However, ignoring cuttings, which have their own considerable issues in terms of provenance and contamination, the extraction of fluids from core material, whether it be via solvents, heat, supercritical CO 2 or some other method, does not mimic the geologic processes which produce oil [17][18][19]. Therefore, while these samples may be incredibly important for core-to-oil correlation studies [20][21][22], their utility as viable fluid end-members for allocation is limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, as useful as cuttings may be in identifying source zones and so forth, their provenance is much more difficult to confirm than core material, a crucial tenant when it comes to robust allocation work. Oil-based mud (OBM) is a common contaminant and light hydrocarbon loss (LHC) is the norm, even more so than in core, no matter how the sample material is collected and stored [17][18][19]. The usage of cuttings, while cheaper and easier to collect, does not remove the issues raised when using core samples, but merely provides an additional set of problems to deal with rather than improving understanding of the specific allocation contributions of produced fluids.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Production Allocation: Rosetta Stone or Red Herring? Best Practices for Understanding Produced Oils in Resource Plays

et al. 2020

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The production of crude oil from resource plays has increased enormously over the past decade. In the USA, around 63% of total output in 2019 was from unconventional production. The major unconventional plays in the USA (e.g., Permian Basin, Anadarko Basin, Eagle Ford, etc.) have become some of the world’s largest oil producers. However, unlike “conventional” exploitation, the target zones in unconventional systems are generally the source rocks themselves or adjacent strata and require numerous horizontal wells and stimulation via hydraulic fracturing to meet production targets. In order to maximize production, operators have developed various well stacking methods, all of which require some form of monitoring to ensure that well spacing is optimized and fluid production is not being “stolen” from adjacent formations, thereby reducing the production potential in associated wells. This necessity, amongst other geochemical considerations related to source rock characterization, has resulted in the expansion of “production allocation” and “time lapse geochemistry” methods. These methods were initially developed for conventional production decades ago, but have since been adapted to unconventional systems. However, the direct applicability of this method is not straightforward and numerous considerations need to be taken into account, foremost among which are: (1) “What defines your end-members?” (2) “Are these end-members valid across a meaningful development area?” and (3) “What is the most appropriate use of geochemistry data in these systems?”. Reservoir geochemistry studies, which include both “time lapse geochemistry/production monitoring” and “production allocation”, are valuable geochemical methods in unconventional plays but need to be used appropriately to provide the cost savings and business direction that operators expect. In this paper, we will discuss a number of case studies, both theoretical and natural, and outline the important factors which need to be considered when designing a reservoir geochemistry study and the common pitfalls which exist. The case studies and best practice approach discussed are designed to highlight the power and flexibility of geochemical data collection methods, integration with the operator’s knowledgebase, and other analytical methods to customize the program for individual development programs. Emphasis is placed upon developing robust and applicable fluid relationships from geochemical data and evidence for statistically significant changes through time.

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Section: Geochemical Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%