Type Curves Relating Well Spacing and Heterogeneity to Oil Recovery in a Water Flooded Reservoir—A Case Study

Abstract

The design of an optimum spacing between oil wells entails both reservoir characterization and economics considerations. High hydrocarbon recovery requires short distances between wells. However, higher well density leads to a greater development cost. Accordingly, determination of an optimum well spacing is primordial in the development of oil fields. As a matter of fact, the identification of optimum well spacing for heterogeneous sandstone reservoirs undergoing waterflooding requires extensive analytical and numerical studies. The intent of this work is therefore to develop type curves as a quick tool in estimating ultimate recovery and reduce excessive reservoir simulation cost in analog reservoirs. These type curves utilize reservoir heterogeneity and well spacing in the estimating of oil recovery. In this work, we investigated numerically the effects of heterogeneity and well spacing on ultimate recovery using Eclipse black oil simulation and PEEP economic software 2015 and 2009 versions, respectively. The study involved a 50-ft thick Middle Eastern reservoir with porosity variability ranging from 0.2 to 0.9. Corresponding average matrix permeabilities of 1, 10 and 100 md were considered. Type curves relating well spacing and heterogeneity to ultimate oil recovery were developed. Type curves and net present value calculations indicated that there is exists an ultimate well spacing for each of the considered matrix permeabilities.