DOUGHERTY, ELMER L., JINCAI CHANG, and FAHMI JUBER, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

ABSTRACT: Determining Realistic Optimal Development Schedules for Gas Reservoirs Using an Efficient Reservoir Simulator

A new computer system that determines optimal gas reservoir development schedules is described. Because the system uses a reservoir simulator as a subprogram, the development schedules (number wells and HP vs. time) recognize the effect of the complete set of physical variables affecting deliverability and economic performance including GIP, porosity, permeability, turbulence coefficient, and aquifer strength for the layers comprising the one or more reservoirs feeding a compressor station; tubing and flowline size and length and configuration of the latter; and HP installed. Use is greatly enhanced by graphical output that displays complete results for a planning case. Results for a set of case studies showing impact on optimal development of (1) many of the physical variables listed (2) relative gas value, (3) well and compressor costs, and (4) discount rate are contrasted to nonoptimal schedules. These comparisons demonstrate the considerable economic benefit gained by optimization.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90992©1993 AAPG Pacific Section Meeting, Long Beach, California, May 5-7, 1993.