Calculating Estimated Ultimate Recovery in Unconventional Petroleum Systems using Common ‘Recovery’ Segment Mapping. An example from the Montney Play, Western Canada

Abstract

Transerv Energy has been using a spatial analysis workflow for new venture evaluation and land acquisition in the Montney Unconventional Resource Play, Western Canada. The resource potential of the play has been characterised by using calibrated reservoir characteristics and production performance from key wells, multi-attribute cross-plot analysis, and mapping of the key geological characteristics of the play. The approach has resulted in an interpretation of Estimated Ultimate Recovery for the Montney zone across the play fairway and has subsequently identified sweet-spots for new venture land acquisition. The Common ‘Recovery’ Segment Mapping approach takes principals from Common Risk Segment Mapping but applies them in estimating recovery potential, rather than risk, in the pervasive hydrocarbon system. Over 10,000 wells with digital logs have been interpreted throughout the Montney play fairway. A sequence stratigraphic interpretation of the formation has been conducted to create individual zones within the Montney for attribute analysis. Play element component maps, examples of which include Net Sand, Average Porosity, Average Sw, Net Pay, Pressure, and Liquids-Gas Ratio Yield, have been created for each zone. Hydrocarbon-in-place maps have been created using the appropriate components. Pressure and Effective Permeability, considered to be the primary geological drivers affecting recovery potential, have been used to create Common Recovery Segment Maps. The Common Recovery Segment Maps have subsequently been used to produce Estimated Ultimate Recovery and Recovery Factor Maps for the play. The availability of open-file digital well log data, and a disciplined approach of using calibrated well data and spatial analysis, has allowed a very small exploration team to characterise the Montney Unconventional Resource Play and acquire a technically driven new venture land position in a rapidly emerging play and competitive market for land access. The exceptional open-file database of British Columbia and Alberta provides an excellent example of how Common Recovery Segment mapping can help characterise and quantify the potential of pervasive Unconventional Resource Plays. The approach can be applied in the evaluation of pervasive unconventional petroleum systems worldwide.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90217 © 2015 International Conference & Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, September 13-16, 2015