Improving field recovery
Two figures sum up the challenge: the worldwide average recovery rate is 35% and a 1% increase for all the planet’s conventional oilfields would be equivalent to two years of world consumption at current rates.
To provide oil companies with the technologies they need to increase recovery rates, IFP is focusing on four major themes:
1) the static characterization of reservoirs and fluids,
2) dynamic simulation, concentrating particularly on updating of geological facies and static and dynamic properties by inversion of production and repetitive seismic data,
3) well productivity ,
4) improved oil recovery.
Characterization of reservoirs and fluids
Numerous JIPs are being conducted by IFP, such as Fraca-HM (static and dynamic characterization of fractured reservoirs), Monitor-Condor (advanced methods for integrated reservoir studies), Cougar (characterization of uncertainties in geosciences and reservoir modeling) or Prowide (optimization of reinjection of produced water).
The knowledge acquired is transferred to software developed on the OpenFlow™ platform open to third party software. This platform, which supports all IFP’s geosciences software products, incorporates data management and maintenance, cross-over services, such as visualization tools, workflow management and links with external software. It makes it possible to present a range of homogeneous, communicative software products, and facilitates the construction of userflows specific to areas of expertise. It also provides an environment for research and for the development of prototypes.
To increase field recovery, reservoir characterization is essential. Good knowledge of reservoir heterogeneities and properties makes it possible to optimize the layout of producing and injecting wells, selection of chemical additives to be used.
This knowledge requires reservoir characterization and modeling techniques ranging from the pore scale to the reservoir scale. On a pore scale, IFP has developed porous network characterization and modeling techniques based on miscroscanner measurements.
IFP is also developing techniques for the extraction of petrophysical parameters from seismic data and the characterization of fractured networks to improve production forecasting in fractured reservoirs, located mainly in the Middle East. In 2008, for example, IFP continued development on its FracaFlow™ software used to characterize and model fractured reservoirs.
Reservoir simulation
Reservoir simulation is another key factor in terms of improving recovery. IFP is developing methodologies to improve reservoir modeling by means of advanced physical description, high-performance simulation methods and optimized use of available data (conceptual geological model, well logging, seismics, production data).
In 2008, IFP continued to work on the development of its CondorFlow™ software enabling production data history matching by adjustment of the reservoir model and the geological and petrophysical model. The performance of the PumaFlow™ reservoir simulator was significantly enhanced. IFP is also developing COUGAR™ software for the management of uncertainties related to production forecasts.
Well productivity
Overall optimization of production also requires effective control of well productivity. In this field, IFP is working primarily on the optimization of water injection models and water shut-off using microgels, and also on scale inhibitors.
The development of high-performance “mineral scale inhibitor” products is the subject of a collaboration agreement with Rhodia.
Improved oil recovery
Finally, to improve mean recovery rates – currently 35% – assisted recovery is likely to play a key role in increasing production. On this subject, IFP has continued the research under way concerning the modeling of heavy oil recovery by steam and solvent injection.
In particular, methodological studies are being conducted in partnership with CGGVeritas on a synthetic scenario to simulate the thermal production of heavy oils (SAGD process) in order to understand the impact of geological heterogeneities and evaluate the potential of repetitive seismics for monitoring this type of process.
Chemical enhanced oil recovery: an IFP/Rhodia joined offer
Rhodia and IFP launch a joint services and consulting offer targeting chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery activities for the petroleum industry. The objective is to offer oil companies solutions adapted to different operating conditions so as to maximize the oil production from reservoirs. For a large number of oil fields, this innovative approach could increase average oil extraction rates by 20%, currently estimated at 35%.
> Read the press release
+ Industrial development > IFP s offer in improvement of recovery
