--> Abstract: Fluid Flow Analysis in Mauddud Carbonates, Sabiriyah Field Kuwait, Using Detailed 3D Structural Modeling and Stream Tube Analysis, by William Sercombe, Clark Robert, Ian Saxby, Thomas Radford, Craig Rice, James Lantz, John Wells, and John Isby; #90039 (2005)

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Fluid Flow Analysis in Mauddud Carbonates, Sabiriyah Field Kuwait, Using Detailed 3D Structural Modeling and Stream Tube Analysis

William Sercombe1, Clark Robert2, Ian Saxby3, Thomas Radford4, Craig Rice5, James Lantz6, John Wells7, and John Isby8
1 BP America, Houston, TX
2 BP Kuwait, Ahmadi, Kuwait
3 BP Exploration,
4 BP/Gupco (currently BP Kuwait), Kuwait City, Kuwait
5 Kuwait Oil Company, Kuwait City, Kuwait
6 BP, Sunbury Upon Thames, United Kingdom
7 IRT, Ahmadi, Kuwait
8 BP Kuwait Limited, Kuwait City, Kuwait

The giant Sabiriyah field, in North Kuwait, has produced from Albian age Mauddud limestones since 1956. The Sabiriyah field is a broad four way closure with a significant number of internal faults impacting the reservoir. Throws are generally less than 5 meters. The Mauddud limestone exhibits matrix production and storage in grainstone and packstone flow units and from two major thief zones in subtly fractured nodular zones that are recognized across the field from PLT results. Development planning designed to infill the current 250 acre inverted nine-spot pattern required a detailed structure model and stream tube analysis to predict future fluid flow to account for the faults, flow units and thief zones. The enhanced seismic interpretation and structural model recognized over 120 faults. A large 3D geologic model was constructed with over five hundred fault blocks. Internal well fault cuts were tied to seismic fault cuts. Dipmeters were used when available. Subsequent drilling of several long reach horizontal wells encountered tops within 8 meters of prognosis verifying the accuracy of the model. Stream tube analysis of the reservoir also verified historical and predicted water movement and that water cut is being influenced by the fault block configuration. This analysis indicated injected water movement within the reservoir is strongly influenced by subtle lows and is redirected by the larger faults. A modification of a planned five spot infill is now an option. Horizontals are also being considered to develop the crestal areas of the field above the potentiometric surface of the injectors.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005