--> ABSTRACT: Advanced Reservoir Characterization for Improved Oil Recovery in a New Mexico Delaware Basin Project, by B. J. Uszynski, B. A. Hardage, F. D. Martin, R. Kendall, E. Whitney, M. B. Murphy, B. A. Stubbs, W. W. Weiss; #91021 (2010)

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Advanced Reservoir Characterization for Improved Oil Recovery in a New Mexico Delaware Basin Project

USZYNSKI, BRUCE J., BOB A. HARDAGE,  F. DAVID MARTIN, RICHARD KENDALL, EARL WHITNEY,  MARK B. MURPHY, BRUCE A. STUBBS, WILLIAM W. WEISS

A producing property operated by Strata Production Company in the Nash Draw Brushy Canyon Field, Eddy County, New Mexico is a field demonstration site in the Department of Energy Class III program. The basic problem at Nash Draw is the low recovery typically observed in similar Delaware Basin reservoirs. By comparing a control area using standard infill drliling techniques to a similar area developed using advanced reservoir characterization methods, the goal is to demonstrate that a development program based on advanced methodology can significantly improve oil recovery.

The advanced characterization effort integrates geological, geophysical, petrophysical, geostatistical, production, and reservoir engineering data. A 3-D seismic survey and vertical seismic profiles were acquired to assist in interwell correlations and facies prediction. The stratigraphic framework is being quantified in petrophysical terms using innovative rock-fabric/petrophysical relationships calibrated to wireline logs. Geostatistical techniques are being coupled with 3-D seismic attributes to extrapolate petrophysical properties into the interwell area.

Reservoir characterization and simulation studies are being used to predict distribution of remaining oil saturation and optimum development drilling programs. Limited surface access at Nash Draw, caused by proximity of underground potash mining and surface playa lakes. Limits development with conventional drilling. Various combinations of vertical and horizontal wells. Combined with selective completions are being considered for optimizing production perfommance. Based on the production constraints due to high gas-oil ratios observed in similar Delaware Basin fields, pressure maintenance is a likely requirement at the Nash Pool.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91021©1997 AAPG Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.