Title: Well Performance Analysis of Vaca Muerta Unconventional Oil Wells Using Classic Integrated Production Modelling Tools to Identify Optimization Opportunities
Abstract: Abstract Define a methodology to estimate the behavior of naturally flowing shale oil wells from Vaca Muerta formation using traditional nodal analysis and a simplified reservoir model to identify optimization opportunities, surface network debottlenecking and forecast production. The approach was based on applying classic material balance and nodal analysis to shale oil wells with certain modelling considerations such as a two-tank material balance model per well to describe fracture stimulated reservoir volume and matrix. Nodal analysis with production estimated inflow performance relationship (IPR) is then used to calibrate and predict well performance. Well performance for each of the naturally flowing wells of one of the main unconventional oil plays was successfully matched. The material balance models that were developed were able to accurately reproduce production history and the well by well forecast obtained was in line with decline curve analysis (DCA) based estimations. Using nodal analysis for each well we were able to predict production response to choke management and define the optimum timing for tubing installation. This work shows how a simple methodology based on classic reservoir engineering methods can be used to approximate the behavior of unconventional shale oil wells and provide additional input and understanding to both reservoir and production engineers.
Publication Year: 2020
Publication Date: 2020-07-06
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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