--> ABSTRACT: Demonstration of Cost-Effective Tools for Integrated Reservoir Characterization and Simulation to Predict Performance of Horizontal Infill Well, Ness City North Field, Ness County, Kansas, by Paul M. Gerlach, Saibal Bhattacharya, Alan P. Byrnes, and Timothy C. Carr; #90906(2001)

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Paul M. Gerlach1, Saibal Bhattacharya2, Alan P. Byrnes3, Timothy C. Carr2

(1) Charter Development Corporation, Wichita, KS
(2) Kansas Geological Survey, Lawrence, KS
(3) Kansas Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Demonstration of Cost-Effective Tools for Integrated Reservoir Characterization and Simulation to Predict Performance of Horizontal Infill Well, Ness City North Field, Ness County, Kansas

Many mature fields in the Midcontinent of the United States, operated by small independents, have significant residual reserves that are uneconomic to produce by vertical infill wells because of lateral heterogeneity and communication with underlying aquifers. Recent decreases in horizontal drilling costs make this a viable technology for these reservoirs. Lack of cost-effective tools to evaluate the potential of horizontal infill wells in candidate reservoirs, however, has restricted implementation of horizontal applications in mature areas. Low-cost techniques, to characterize reservoirs and predict the performance of horizontal infill wells, demonstrated in this study include: (1) integrated geologic, petrophysical and engineering characterization; (2) construction of quantitative geomodels for simulation; and (3) use of PC-based reservoir simulators to map residual reserves and predict performance of horizontal infill wells. A case study of a typical central Kansas Mississippian cherty dolostone reservoir provides a guide to application of low-cost characterization and simulation tools. A 5-layer 3D-reservoir model was developed and used to simulate the effect of lateral length and well placement on oil recovery and water production. A demonstration horizontal well confirmed the performance predicted by the simulation study. Initial production rates indicate a payback period of between 7 to 9 months at $25/BO. A review of horizontal drilling activity in Kansas shows limited success, thus emphasizing the need for inexpensive characterization and simulation methodologies to map remaining reserves in marginal and mature fields and to evaluate the viability of targeted horizontal infill wells.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90906©2001 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado