Milking Data to the Last Drop: Maximizing Value of Fluid Data through Integrated Fluid Characterization

Inan, Esra ¹; Naafs, Dennis ¹; Elshahawi, Hani ¹; Hows, Melton ¹; Ramaswami, Shyamalan R.¹; Frese, Daniela ¹; Clarke, Edward L.¹
(1)Fluid Evaluation and Sampling Technologies, Shell International Exploration and Production Inc, Houston, TX.

Fluid characterization is critical at every stage in the lifecycle of an exploration and production project. Misinterpreting reservoir fluid properties is extremely costly, resulting in HSSE incidents, non-optimal well placement; poor completion and facilities design; or errors in reserves, drainage volume and production rate forecasts. It is therefore crucial to obtain representative fluid data at the exploration and appraisal phases when subsurface and surface uncertainties are addressed.

A multitude of techniques exists for reservoir fluid characterization such as mud-gas logging, wireline logging, and well testing. The same holds for fluid analyses such as PVT, flow assurance, and geochemistry. These techniques are often used in isolation or to different extents based on the experience of project focal points and without proper integration. Since each technique has some limitations, integration will always be more valuable than relying on any single technology or discipline.

Shell, through its FEAST (Fluid Evaluation and Sampling Technologies) center of expertise is dedicated to a comprehensive and coordinated approach for fluid evaluation by integrating multiple technologies. This team of multidisciplinary experts follows projects through planning, execution and evaluation. During planning, key subsurface and above surface uncertainties are translated into data acquisition requirements. The team then selects and executes fit-for-purpose rock/ fluid acquisition and analysis programs. During evaluation, emphasis is on generating internally consistent datasets. For example, results from independent datasets such as advanced mud-gas data, downhole fluid analysis and PVT are integrated. A quality control process is in place ensuring only the best samples are used so that conclusions that are drawn are irrefutable. Understanding sample and analysis quality requires qualified personnel who are involved in the project through all stages, who can draw upon a multidisciplinary network of experts, and who can identify subtle differences and tie them back to real variations or to sampling/measurement artifacts.

In this paper we share operational best practices and present case studies demonstrating integrated fluid characterization workflows. This integrated and iterative approach ensures that objectives are addressed using optimal technologies and workflows. Operational decision-making is thus improved, and the value of information is maximized.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90135©2011 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, 23-26 October 2011.