Water Analysis - A Key Tool for Reservoir Monitoring Under Cyclic Steam Stimulation

Abstract

During the process of Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) variations in reservoir pressure and temperature occur changing the solubility of reservoir rock minerals in the formation water and therefore during production phase, produced water brings valuable information about dynamic characteristics of reservoir rock and fluid. Its analysis may provide an invaluable means for monitoring the reservoir. This paper describes the process of water analysis where results are interpreted on the basis of the principle that the solubility of minerals varies with change in pressure and temperature. This also shows the importance of water analysis as a key tool for reservoir monitoring in fields undergoing cyclic steam stimulation.Water analysis is also used to optimize impact of produced water on Capex and Opex of oil production as water is required to be handled and disposed without impacting the environment, and is applied as troubleshooting tool to identify well problems and to validate log interpretations.Field examples illustrate application of water analysis in i) mineralogical changes that takes place during CCS operation for reservoir monitoring and impact of steam on clays, ii) determining compatibility of injected steam with the formation water and compatibility of effluent with the formation water of disposal well, iii) surface facility design and water treatment before steam generation, iv) reservoir description and computing fluid saturation using resistivity of formation water and v) troubleshooting well problems, e.g. unanticipated water production because of channeling behind the casing and communication between the layers.Paper discusses the importance of water analysis at each stage of CSS operation and its application in reservoir monitoring and describes field experience with water analysis in the surveillance of a CSS project.