Title : Optimizing oil recovery: A model approach to coning control in oil rim reservoirs
Abstract:
Water coning in oil reservoirs pose serious hindrance to optimizing oil production as unwanted fluids tend to replace the oil in the production stream, which invariably limits the ultimate oil recovery. The primary objective of this research is to develop a robust model for optimizing oil recovery from oil rim reservoirs by controlling water and gas coning, including investigating the effects of key reservoir properties and production parameters on coning behavior and oil recovery. In this study, analytical models of estimating critical rate and optimum horizontal well placement was developed to control coning tendencies in oil rim reservoirs. The models was developed through analytical approach by applying the principle of Nodal analysis to the gas-oil-water reservoir system, with a view to controlling gas and water coning phenomena in gas-oil-water reservoir system. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the impacts of permeability, porosity, oil viscosity, and production rates on coning behavior and oil recovery. The developed model was validated using field data, demonstrating its accuracy and reliability. The results showed that the developed models accurately predicted coning behavior and optimized oil recovery. Sensitivity analyses revealed that reservoir permeability, oil viscosity, and water injection rate significantly impacted coning behavior. The optimization algorithm successfully identified the optimal well placement strategy and critical production rate. The models are simple for fast calculations for reservoirs with thin oil zones sandwiched between gas cap and bottom water. It is concluded that the developed models can be used as a tool to make a first pass assessment in the development of oil rim. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for optimizing oil recovery in oil rim reservoirs. This research presents a novel model approach to coning control in oil rim reservoirs, integrating numerical modeling and optimization techniques. The developed model provides a robust tool for optimizing oil recovery and reducing water production in oil rim reservoirs, thereby enhancing the economic viability of these reservoirs.
