Integration of 3D Seismic and Reservoir Simulation for Remaining Oil Exploitation in a Heavy Oil Field: A Case Study

Abstract

Based on a full azimuth 3D seismic (cell size 6.25m × 6.25m and coverage area 14 km2) and reservoir simulation on one well group (40 vertical wells and 5 horizontal wells in an area of 600m × 375m), integrated research on Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) production is carried out in an oilfield in Northeast China. The research indicated that the configuration of steam chambers caused by steam injection could be delineated from the high precision 3D seismic results, and it is more accurate than the reservoir simulation model in the local variation description of the chambers (the accuracy of the simulation model is influenced by density, porosity and permeability data). But with only seismic, it is difficult to differentiate the influence of geological sedimentation or small-size fracture from the steam chambers, and further predict the distribution of the remaining oil. By integrating the 3D seismic with a reservoir simulation model (thus forming a 3.5 D seismic method), we can predict the remaining oil. This approach is free from many technical difficulties facing time-lapse applications such as no baseline survey and non-repeatable noise.