The Value of Water Injection

Samson Ning and Danielle Ohms
BP, 900 E. Benson Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99508

While there will be little argument that there is value to water injection, placing a value on water injection for a specific field (or even well) can spur a bit of discussion. This paper presents a simple “Value of Water” calculation method that quantifies water injection deficit in terms of oil loss for a waterflood pattern or a field. The proposed method can be used in reservoir management tools such as an injection choke model to quickly place a value on water injection for a specific well pattern or a field.

Having a standard value of water that reflects what we are currently injecting, not just the value of what we are under-injecting is important in reservoir management. It helps to optimize the allocation of injection water across the field and to compare the impact of water injection by pattern, field, and throughout the industry. The value of water can also be used to justify injection related expenses and prioritize wellwork for injectors as well as producers.

An injection choke model has been developed and successfully applied at the Milne Point field on the North Slope of Alaska. The Milne Point Injection Choke Model can run over any time period of interest to calculate oil losses due to lack of water injection by well, pattern, and field. The model also attributes oil loss to individual “chokes” in the injection system (water source, pipeline, plant, pumps, wellbore, or reservoir).

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90076©2008 AAPG Pacific Section, Bakersfield, California