--> Streamlined Modeling and Simulation Approach to Evaluating Waterflood Potential in Ursa Princess Field, Mars Basin, U.S. Gulf of Mexico

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Streamlined Modeling and Simulation Approach to Evaluating Waterflood Potential in Ursa Princess Field, Mars Basin, U.S. Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The Ursa Princess Field, located in the prolific Mars Basin in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, contains a world class accumulation of hydrocarbons in a series of stacked, deepwater, clastic reservoirs. First production in the Ursa Princess Field began in 1999, and the field continues to produce at economic rates today. Despite the long history, there is still a vast array of potential in the field, including potential for secondary recovery schemes and retooling of existing infrastructure. One of the largest drivers, and unknowns, impacting the overall economic robustness of such project is the internal architecture of the field.

Study was undertaken to assess the remaining potential of a ranked inventory of the various reservoirs. This project involved the “fit-for-purpose” construction of static models to allow for evaluation of multiple reservoir connectivity scenarios and other key uncertainties in a dynamic realm in a relatively simple and quick way with assisted history matching. Implementing an expedient, “fit-for-purpose” approach to the static and dynamic modeling allows for robust evaluation of investment options (i.e., new wells, retooling of existing infrastructure) in a timely manner and resulting in better informed investment decisions. This is a departure from the work model involving construction of many highly detailed static models that then go onto the dynamic simulation realm in studies that may take six to twelve months or more to complete.