History matching by simultaneous calibration of reservoir geological models at pore-level and field scales

Alvaro Barrera, Sanjay Srinivasan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reliable predictions of reservoir flow response require a realistic geological model of heterogeneity and an understanding of its relationship to flow performance of the reservoir. This paper presents a novel approach for integrating dynamic data in reservoir models that utilizes the probability perturbation approach for the simultaneous calibration of geological models at field scale and multiphase flow functions associated with pore-level spatial representations of the porous media. In this probabilistic approach, a stochastic simulator is used to model the spatial distribution of a discrete number of rock types identified by rock/connectivity indexes (CIs). Each CI corresponds to a particular pore network structure with a characteristic connectivity. Primary drainage and imbibition displacements are modeled on the 3D pore networks to generate multiphase flow functions, including effective permeability and porosity of the rock, the relative permeabilities and capillary pressure, linked to the CIs. During the assisted history matching, the stochastic simulator perturbs the spatial distribution of the CIs to match the simulated pressures and flow rates to historic data. Perturbation of the CIs in turn results in the update of all the flow functions. The results from the integrated history matching procedure are presented for a realistic field example. The convergence rate of the proposed method is comparable to other current techniques with the distinction of enabling consistent updates to all the flow functions while at the same time honoring the geological/sedimentary model for the distribution of petrophysical properties. Consequently, the reservoir model and its predictions are consistent with realistic geological processes and the response obtained for the reference model

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition 2009, ATCE 2009
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
Pages3840-3852
Number of pages13
ISBN (Print)9781615675753
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
EventSPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition 2009, ATCE 2009 - New Orleans, LA, United States
Duration: Oct 4 2009Oct 7 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings - SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition
Volume6

Other

OtherSPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition 2009, ATCE 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans, LA
Period10/4/0910/7/09

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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