Integrated approach towards the application of horizontal wells to improve waterflooding performance. Quarterly report, January 1--March 31, 1997

The overall purpose of the proposed project is to improve secondary recovery performance of a marginal oil field through the use of an appropriate reservoir management plan. The selection of plan will be based on the detailed reservoir description using an integrated approach. The authors expect that 2 to 5% of the original oil in place will be recovered using this method. This should extend the life of the reservoir by at least 10 years. The project is divided into two stages. In Stage 1 of the project, the authors selected part of the Glenn Pool Field-Self Unit. They conducted cross borehole tomography surveys and formation micro scanner logs through a newly drilled well. By combining the state-of-the-art data with conventional core and log data, they developed a detailed reservoir description based on an integrated approach. After conducting extensive reservoir simulation studies, they evaluated alternate reservoir management strategies to improve the reservoir performance including drilling of a horizontal injection well. They observed that selective completion of many wells followed by an increase in the injection rate was the most feasible option to improve the performance of the Self Unit. This management plan is currently being implemented and the performance is being monitored. Stage 2 of the project will involve selection of part of the same reservoir (Berryhill Unit-Tract 7), development of reservoir description using only conventional data, simulation of flow performance using developed reservoir description, selection of an appropriate reservoir management plan, and implementation of the plan followed by monitoring of reservoir performance