Shale porosity measurement by the saturated oil method: Removing the contribution from oils dissolved in kerogen

Shale porosity measurements have crucial scientific and economical applications in unconventionalpetroleum systems. As a standard technique, liquid saturation methods, including water saturation (WS)and oil saturation (OS), have been widely used to measure the porosity of many rock types. For clay-richshale reservoirs with high organic matter content, it is well known that the WS method may cause clayswelling and induce structural changes in the pore system. The OS method affects the accuracy ofporosity measurements because of some of the oil being dissolved by kerogen within the shale;however,this has not received sufficient research attention. In this study, we compare the previously reported andnewly tested OS porosities with helium (He) expansion porosity. Results show that OS porosity generallyexceeds the He porosity. Furthermore, the higher the total organic carbon (TOC) content and lower thematurity of shale, the greater the difference between the OS and helium porosities. When using the OSmethod, the effect of kerogen-dissolved oil causes an overestimation of the shale porosity by ~30%. To thebest of our knowledge, this is the first time to note the kerogen-dissolve oil effects on OS porosity. Herein,we propose a new, simple, and effective correction method for estimating OS porosity that involvessubtracting the kerogen-dissolved oil content from raw OS porosity. In addition, the quantification modelof kerogen-dissolved oil capacity is established, taking into account the abundance and maturity oforganic matter. Taking the He porosity as the benchmark, the absolute error of the corrected OS porositydoes not exceed 1% and the average relative error is only ~10%. The obtained results can help improve theaccuracy of shale porosity evaluation methods.

Experimental analysis of matrix moveable oil saturation in tight sandstone reservoirs of the south Ordos Basin,China

Tight oil reservoirs in the south Ordos Basin are characterized by fractured,heterogeneous oil-bearing strata(an oil saturation of less than 55%on average),normal pressure(0.8±)and extra-low permeability(less than 0.3 mD).In the Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoir in Honghe oilfield,micro-and nanopores,especially those with a pore-throat radius of less than 1 mm,account for more than 90%.Fluid flow in the matrix is non-linear and crude oil flow rates are very low under normal pressure gradients.An improved understanding of oil mobility in a tight matrix is key to further development of normalpressure tight-oil resources in the continental basin.In this study,constant-velocity and high-pressure mercury injection experiments were conducted using samples of typical tight sandstone cores obtained from the south of Ordos Basin.A new method for reconstructing the full-scale pore-throat distribution characteristics of tight sandstone reservoirs was established successfully,based on which multistage centrifugal tests,tests of low-pressure differential displacement of oil by water,and nuclear magnetic resonance tests were conducted in order to obtain the distribution characteristics of moveable fluid in different pores.The moveable oil saturation(MOS)and degree of oil recovery(i.e.ratio of accumulative oil production to producing geologic reserves)of the core samples under different differential pressures for displacement were determined.As for the tight oil reservoirs in the south Ordos Basin,the moveable fluids are mainly stored in sub-micron(0.10-0.5 mm)pores.For Type I reservoirs(k>0.1 mD),the volume percentage of moveable fluid in pores with a radius larger than 0.5 mm is relatively high(greater than 40%).The degree of oil recovery of water flooding serves as the basis for forecasting recoverable reserves for tight oil reservoirs.Recoverable reserves under water flooding,mainly occur in pores with a radius greater than 0.5 mm.The contribution of Type I reserves to oil production is observed to be greater than 60%,and the degree of oil recovery reaches up to 17.1%.These results help improve our understanding on the evaluation and classification of Chang 8 tight sandstone reservoirs in Honghe oilfield and serve as theoretical basis for pilot tests to explore effective injection media and development methods to improve the matrix-driven pressure differences and displacement efficiency for oil.

Oil Saturation Is Determined by Different Experimental Methods

Oil saturation was an important parameter of reservoir evaluation, which had important guiding significance for oilfield development. In this paper, the oil saturation of tight oil in G area was studied, and the original oil saturation of the study area was studied by using the comprehensive experimental method. The original oil saturation of tight oil in the study area was determined by J function method, rock electricity method and oil-based mud coring method. The results showed that through the comparison of three experimental methods, it could be concluded that the J function method leads to the low value of oil saturation in the study area. The oil-based mud coring method was more suitable for the determination of oil saturation in this area than the other two methods because it needs to meet too many conditions and the calculation results were also low. G area was located in Qili Village, Ordos Basin.

Non-Darcy flow in oil accumulation (oil displacing water) and relative permeability and oil saturation characteristics of low-permeability sandstones

Hydrocarbon resources in low-permeability sandstones are very abundant and are extensively distributed. Low-permeability reservoirs show several unique characteristics, including lack of a definite trap boundary or caprock, limited buoyancy effect, complex oil-gas-water distribution, without obvious oil-gas-water interfaces, and relatively low oil （gas） saturation. Based on the simulation experiments of oil accumulation in low-permeability sandstone （oil displacing water）, we study the migration and accumulation characteristics of non-Darcy oil flow, and discuss the values and influencing factors of relative permeability which is a key parameter characterizing oil migration and accumulation in low-permeability sandstone. The results indicate that： 1） Oil migration （oil displacing water） in low- permeability sandstone shows non-Darcy percolation characteristics, and there is a threshold pressure gradient during oil migration and accumulation, which has a good negative correlation with permeability and apparent fluidity; 2） With decrease of permeability and apparent fluidity and increase of fluid viscosity, the percolation curve is closer to the pressure gradient axis and the threshold pressure gradient increases. When the apparent fluidity is more than 1.0, the percolation curve shows modified Darcy flow characteristics, while when the apparent fluidity up＂ non-Darcy percolation curve; 3） Oil-water is less than 1.0, the percolation curve is a ＂concave- two-phase relative permeability is affected by core permeability, fluid viscosity, apparent fluidity, and injection drive force; 4） The oil saturation of low- permeability sandstone reservoirs is mostly within 35%-60%, and the oil saturation also has a good positive correlation with the permeability and apparent fluidity.

The key parameter of shale oil resource evaluation: Oil content

The United States has become the world's largest oil producer of shale oil. China has abundant shale oil resources, but its resource potential has not yet been exploited. The core of the evaluation is the selection of parameters and their reliability. By combining the parameters of the shale oil resource evaluation, we investigated the key parameters in the evaluation model and reviewed the research results. The adsorption and retention of heavy hydrocarbons, loss of light hydrocarbons, and original oil saturation are key in the evaluation of shale oil resources. The adsorption and retention of heavy hydrocarbons can be determined by the pyrolysis, FID curve, and hydrocarbon generation kinetics of shale before and after extraction. The loss of light hydrocarbons mainly occurs in coring(change in temperature and pressure),sample treatment, which can be evaluated using the GC spectrum, rock pyrolysis, crude oil volume coefficient, mass balance, component hydrocarbon generation kinetics, and other methods. The original oil saturation evaluation includes indirect, direct, logging, and simulation methods. The most reliable parameters can be obtained by using the sealed or pressure-maintained coring immediately after thawing(without crushing), and the recovery of light hydrocarbon loss is critical for the resource evaluation of medium to high mature shale. Therefore, the experimental determination of shale oil content and the study of the influencing factors of the parameters should be strengthened.

Calculation of oil saturation in clay-rich shale reservoirs:A case study of Qing 1 Member of Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in Gulong Sag,Songliao Basin,NE China

The targeted reservoir,which is referred as the first member of Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in Gulong Sag,Songliao Basin,NE China,is characterized by the enrichment of clay and lamellation fractures.Aiming at the technical challenge of determining oil saturation of such reservoir,nano-pores were accurately described and located through focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and quantitative evaluation of minerals by scanning electron microscopy based on Simandoux model,to construct a 4D digital core frame.Electrical parameters of the shale reservoir were determined by finite element simulation,and the oil saturation calculation method suitable for shale was proposed.Comparison between the results from this method with that from real core test and 2D nuclear magnetic log shows that the absolute errors meet the requirements of the current reserve specification in China for clay-rich shale reservoir.Comparison analysis of multiple wells shows that the oil saturation values calculated by this method of several points vertically in single wells and multiple wells on the plane are in agreement with the test results of core samples and the regional deposition pattern,proving the accuracy and applicability of the method model.

Optimization of shut-in time based on saturation rebalancing in volume-fractured tight oil reservoirs

Based on imbibition replacement of shut-in well in tight oil reservoirs, this paper expounds the principle of saturation rebalancing during the shut-in process after fracturing, establishes an optimization method for shut-in time after horizontal well volume fracturing with the goal of shortening oil breakthrough time and achieving rapid oil breakthrough, and analyzes the influences of permeability, porosity, fracture half-length and fracturing fluid volume on the shut-in time. The oil and water imbibition displacement in the matrix and fractures occurs during the shut-in process of wells after fracturing. If the shut-in time is too short, the oil-water displacement is not sufficient, and the oil breakthrough time is long after the well is put into production. If the shut-in time is too long, the oil and water displacement is sufficient, but the energy dissipation in the formation near the bottom of the well is severe, and the flowing period is short and the production is low after the well is put into production. A rational shut-in time can help shorten the oil breakthrough time, extend the flowing period and increase the production of the well. The rational shut-in time is influenced by factors such as permeability, porosity, fracture half-length and fracturing fluid volume. The shortest and longest shut-in times are negatively correlated with porosity, permeability, and fracture half-length, and positively correlated with fracturing fluid volume. The pilot test in tight oil horizontal wells in the Songliao Basin, NE China, has confirmed that the proposed optimization method can effectively improve the development effect of horizontal well volume fracturing.

Experimental Research on the Millimeter-Scale Distribution of Oil in Heterogeneous Reservoirs

Oil saturation is a critical parameter when designing oil field development plans.This study focuses on the change of oil saturation during water flooding.Particularly,a meter-level artificial model is used to conduct relevant experiments on the basis of similarity principles and taking into account the layer geological characteristics of the reservoir.The displacement experiment’s total recovery rate is 41.35%.The changes in the remaining oil saturation at a millimeter-scale are examined using medical spiral computer tomography principles.In all experimental stages,regions exists where the oil saturation decline is more than 10.0%.The shrinkage percentage is 20.70%in the horizontal well production stage.The oil saturation reduction in other parts is less than 10.0%,and there are regions where the oil saturation increases in the conventional water flooding stage.

Application of Tracer Model in the Remaining Oil Distribution of 95 Block Oilfields of Central Plains

With the development and utilization of oil and gas fields, oil mining become more and more difficult. The remaining re- serves of oil in the oil distribution is difficult to confirm, in order to understand and grasp the distribution of the remaining oil in the reser-voir, calculated using tracer concentration methods used mathematical models to calculate the residual oil saturation in the reservoir, from the theoretical analysis of tracer migration process, you can more accurately determine the distribution of the remaining oil, this method has good prospects for development.

Assessment of residual oil saturation with time-differentiated variable multiple material balance model

This study aims to improve the evaluation of residual oil saturation in water flooded zones based on the material balance model(MBM)with variable multiple for injected water.We investigated the change patterns of rock-electro parameters during waterflooding through the analysis of displacement tests.Our work differentiated the waterflooding into numerous displacement processes and accordingly propose an improved time-differentiated variable multiple MBM.The calculation results of the improved model are more consistent with the displacement experiment data of cores.Furthermore,the improved method was integrated into the comprehensive interpretation platform of offshore logging to analyze water flooded zones of a well in the A oilfield.As a result,the residual oil saturation calculated is in close agreement with the results of experiments on cores.Our results indicate that the time-differentiation and variable multiplier for injected water can effectively enhance the assessment accuracy of the residual oil saturation of water-flooded zones.

Petrophysical interpretations of subsurface stratigraphic correlations,Baram Delta,Sarawak,Malaysia

Petrophysical well log data help to predict hydrocarbon reserves before field development which involves huge financial commitment.In this study,reservoir characterization was performed with a view to obtain information on the geological formation type and petrophysical parameters.Wireline log data obtained from five wells were used to develop a 3D model of X-field in the Baram Delta which was in turn evaluated using the PETREL software.Suites of gamma ray,sonic,density,resistivity and neutron logs aided the delineation and correlation of the sandstone formation.Fourteen hydrocarbon-bearing sands were defined from well log data and divided into two-reservoir zones,shallow and deep.Well correlation assisted in the delineation of the reservoir sands across the wells.The quality of the reservoir formation was evaluated from average petrophysical properties:with an average thickness of 62 m,an average porosity of 0.19,an average net-to-gross ratio of 0.068,an average V-shale of 0.45,and an average water saturation of 0.95.A rollover anticline structure was identified across the field using the fault as a description tool.Variation of petrophysical parameters and uncertainty in the reservoir properties were included to predict the effect on the volume of oil in place.This study revealed that the discovered hydrocarbon reserve resource accumulations in the Field X for the fourteen-mapped reservoir sands have a total proven reserve resource estimate of 740MMSTB at P90,655MMSTB at P50 and 593MMSTB at P10.Reservoirs A and B are the only intervals with the highest recoverable oil,a volume of 256MMSTB at P90,215MMSTB at P50 and 181MMSTB at P10,respectively.These analyses facilitated an improved reservoir description of shaly sandstone,which contributes to better planning of hydrocarbon re-development and future recovery,and thereby improving the energy supply security of the regions.

Simulation and Modelling of Water Injection for Reservoir Pressure Maintenance

Water injection has shown to be one of the most successful,efficient,and cost-effective reservoir management strategies.By re-injecting treated and filtered water into reservoirs,this approach can help maintain reservoir pressure,increase hydrocarbon output,and reduce the environmental effect.The goal of this project is to create a water injection model utilizing Eclipse reservoir simulation software to better understand water injection methods for reservoir pressure maintenance.A basic reservoir model is utilized in this investigation.For simulation designs,the reservoir length,breadth,and thickness may be changed to different levels.The water-oil contact was discovered at 7000 feet,and the reservoir pressure was recorded at 3000 pounds per square inch at a depth of 6900 feet.The aquifer chosen was of the Fetkovich type and was linked to the reservoir in the j+direction.The porosity was estimated to be varied,ranging from 9%to 16%.The residual oil saturation was set to 25%and the irreducible water saturation was set at 20%.The vertical permeability was set at 50 md as a constant.Pressure Volume Temperature(PVT)data was used to estimate the gas and water characteristics.

Numerical simulation of the dynamic migration mechanism and prediction of saturation of tight sandstone oil

Quantitative characterization of tight sandstone oil migration and accumulation is an emerging research frontier in the field of oil and gas exploration.In this study,a conceptual model containing multiple basic geological elements is developed,and a nonlinear seepage numerical model for tight sandstone oil migration and accumulation is established.The effects of the slip effect,overpressure driving force,buoyancy,and capillary force on the migration and accumulation of tight oil are examined.The results showed that(1)the differences in oil migration and accumulation between tight and conventional reservoirs are reflected in the growth mode of oil saturation,distribution characteristics of oil and water,and extent of the effect of the formation dip angle;(2)the slip effect has a significant impact when the average pore throat radius is less than 150 nm and the overpressure driving force and capillary force are the main mechanical mechanisms controlling oil migration and accumulation in tight sandstone,while the coupling effect of buoyancy,capillary force,and overpressure driving force controls the upper and lower limits of oil saturation.Finally,a dimensional and dimensionless identification chart for rapidly predicting the oil saturation of tight sandstone is proposed and verified using the measured data.This study provides a basis for analyzing the migration and accumulation mechanisms of tight sandstone oil and a new approach for predicting oil saturation.Additionally,we developed digital and visual analysis methods for the migration results,enriching the expression of the dynamics of hydrocarbon accumulation.

Prediction of new perforation intervals in a depleted reservoir to achieve the maximum productivity: A case study of PNN logging in a cased-well of an Iranian oil reservoir

Pulsed neutron-neutron(PNN)logging is based on emitting neutrons into the near-wellbore zone and computing the neutron count decay due to scattering and capturing.The main application of this logging tool is to determine the current oil saturation and to detect channeling in perforated and non-perforated intervals behind the casing.Correct interpretation of the results obtained from PNN logging enables engineers to predict new perforation intervals in depleted reservoirs.This study examines the application of PNN logging in a well located in one of Iranian oil reservoirs.The interpretation procedure is described step by step.The principle of the PNN logging and the specifications of the tool are discussed and the applications of PNN logging in evaluation of oil saturation,identification of water flooded zones and prediction of potential perforating zones are described.Channeling is also investigated between all layers,good and poor oil zones are characterized based on the calculated oil saturations and new perforation intervals are suggested with the aim to boost oil production from the reservoir.The results of this study show that zones 1 to 5 having low oil saturations,are interpreted as depleted oil zones.Zones 6 to 8 are interpreted as good oil zones having high potential to produce oil.Zone 9 is interpreted as a water zone.

Experimental investigation of wettability alteration on residual oil saturation using nonionic surfactants: Capillary pressure measurement

Introducing the novel technique for enhancing oil recovery from available petroleum reservoirs is one of the important issues in future energy demands.Among of all operative factors,wettability may be the foremost parameter affecting residual oil saturation in all stage of oil recovery.Although wettability alteration is one of the methods which enhance oil recovery from the petroleum reservoir.Recently,the studies which focused on this subject were more than the past and many contributions have been made on this area.The main objective of the current study is experimentally investigation of the two nonionic surfactants effects on altering wettability of reservoir rocks.Purpose of this work is to change the wettability to preferentially the water-wet condition.Also reducing the residual oil saturation(Sor)is the other purpose of this work.The wettability alteration of reservoir rock is measured by two main quantitative methods namely contact angle and the USBM methods.Results of this study showed that surfactant flooding is more effective in oil-wet rocks to change their wettability and consequently reducing Sor to a low value.Cedar(Zizyphus Spina Christi)is low priced,absolutely natural,and abundantly accessible in the Middle East and Central Asia.Based on the results,this material can be used as a chemical surfactant in field for enhancing oil recovery.

The study on exploitation potential of original low-oil-saturation reservoirs

It is preliminary estimated that the proved geological reserves of original low-oil-saturation reservoirs(OLOSRs)of 54 blocks in China are more than 820 million tons.As same as the high water-cut stage of a reservoir after water flooding,the initial water cut of OLOSRS is higher than 80%.The industrial application of EOR technology could efficiently enhance oil recovery rate from 8.4% to 20.1% of reservoirs after water flooding.The suitable measurements of EOR to the OLOSRs probably have a profound impact on achieving higher oilfield reserves and production.In this paper,the main characteristics and reserves potential of OLOSRs have been studied by investigations and laboratory experiments.The relationship between initial oil saturation and displacement efficiency is also analyzed.The feasibility of EOR technologies for different OLOSRs is discussed.The results show that the OLOSRs could be divided into two categories(primary and secondary)by origin of low oil saturation.The two categories contain abundant reserves in China’s major oilfields,but their occurrence states of crude oil are quite different.If the average oil saturation of the OLOSR is defined at 40%,there are 13.1%-54.2%crude oil that could be recovered by using the existing EOR technology,especially in the primary OLOSRs with low permeability and the secondary OLOSRs with high permeability.

Laboratory simulation and CO_(2) flooding efficiency of oil-water transition zones in a low permeability reservoir in the Jilin Oilfield

Geological reserves of oil-water transition zone(OWTZ)in low-permeability reservoirs have been considered as uneconomical resources because of high water cut and low abundance.Though the OWTZ may account for 30%-50%of a reservoir,it has not been paid more attentions yet.The average oil saturation of the OWTZ is about 35%,which is equal to that of a reservoir after water flooding.Currently,CO_(2) flooding is an effective technique for residual oil recovery after water flooding,which could reduce the residual oil saturation greatly.Therefore,it is of significance for the EOR of the low-permeability reservoir if the CO_(2) flooding could be successfully applied in the OWTZ.In this study,a method based on a long core to simulate distribution of oil saturation in OWTZs is set up in the laboratory using bidirectional saturation.In order to investigate CO_(2) flooding characteristics in OWTZs,experiments are carried out on 3 sets of initial oil saturation,and the recoverable reserves of the OWTZ and its contribution to the EOR are calculated based on the WJ reservoir in the Jilin Oilfield,China.

The effect of type waves on vibroseismic implementation of changes properties of rock, oil viscosity, oil compound composition, and enhanced oil recovery

Based on the results of laboratory studies,the frequency of 35 Hz in longitudinal waves and 20 Hz in circular waves is the optimum frequency that can increase the maximum oil recovery.Coreflooding test results before the vibration effect can increase oil production by 51.96%and reduce the residual oil saturation by 59.03%The surprising results when the vibration effect was applied to the coreflooding test method with P wave types continuously succeeded in increasing oil production by 60.54%,inter-mittent P waves by 63.53%and circular waves by 64.76%,while also reducing Sor by 48.49%in continuous P waves,intermittent P waves at 44.81%and C waves at 43.3%,The P wave type vibrational method has an increase in oil gain by 16%,intemittently by 22%,Sor reduction by 18%and 24%,in circular wave oil gain increases by 25%,and Sor decreases by 27%from before the vibration effect given.Besides vibration can change the physical properties of rocks,among others;permeability has increased by 7%using P waves continuously,intermittently by 31%and C waves by 4%;porosity of 5.88%with P waves contin-uously,intermittently of 6.46%and circular waves of 4.63%;grain size before vibration of 45.16 um after vibration using continuous P waves of 42.01μum,intermittently of 4798μum,and circular of 50.46μum;changes in oil composition to contain more alkanes,and lack of aromatic compounds;oil viscosity increased by 3%with continuous P waves,intermittent of 5%,and circular 61%.The new point from this paper is analyzing the vibroseismic effect by using SEM images in terms of the watershed segmentation of the Rabbani algorithm compared to lab results,which have an error rate of under 2%,and a review of oil composition by the GC-MS method.