Optimizing Field Development Through Infill Drilling Coupled with Surface Network: A Case Study of Low Permeability Gas Reservoir

Evaluation of the performance of potential infill wells in complex, low permeability gas reservoirs requires an integrated team approach. Furthermore, the effect of surface gathering facilities on the performance of the pool has to be taken into account simultaneously. This paper describes the an integrated approach taken to determine the optimum field development in the Willesden Green Glauconite {open_quote}C{close_quote} pool of Alberta, Canada using numerical simulation. Well logs were digitized and used in connection with core and well test data to generate the geological properties used in the simulator. The history matched gas in place volumes were in turn used to determine interactively the permeability cut-off value from well logs. Finally, having history matched the past field performance, the optimum infill drilling scenarios coupled with requirements to surface facilities were predicted. Results of numerical simulations for various combinations of infill drilling and improvements to the surface gathering facilities are presented. Two of the better potential infill locations predicted by the numerical simulation was drilled in the field. In addition, some of the surface gathering facilities were modified in the direction of the recommendations from the simulation. The actual field performance is discussed and a comparison is made between the predictionsmore » of the numerical simulation study and the actual field behavior. It is shown that numerical simulation coupling reservoir behavior with the surface network can be used effectively in an integrated approach to optimize the recovery from a low permeability gas field.« less