Use of Full-Field Simulation to Design a Miscible CO2 Flood

Abstract

A study using full-field reservoir modeling optimized the design of a miscible CO2 flood project for the Sharon Ridge Canyon Unit. The study began with extensive data gathering in the field and building a full-field 3D geologic model. A full-field simulation model with relatively coarse gridding was subsequently built and used to history match the waterflood. This waterflood model highlighted areas in the field with current high oil saturations as priority targets for CO2 flooding and generated a forecast of reserves from continued waterflooding. Predictions for the CO2 flood used an in-house 4-component simulator (stock tank: oil, solution gas, water, CO2). A full-field CO2 model with more finely gridded patterns was built using oil saturations and pressures at the end of history in the waterflood model. The CO2 model identified the best patterns for CO2 flooding and was instrumental in selecting a strategy for sizing the initial flood area and in determining the size, location, and timing of future expansions of the CO2 flood. P. 265