RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION BY USING A PIECEWISE CONSTANT LEVEL SET METHOD

We consider the permeability estimation problem in two-phase porous media flow. We try to identify the permeability field by utilizing both the production data from wells as well as inverted seismic data. The permeability field is assumed to be piecewise constant, or can be approximated well by a piecewise constant function. A variant of the level set method, called Piecewise Constant Level Set Method is used to represent the interfaces between the regions with different permeability levels. The inverse problem is solved by minimizing a functional, and TV norm regularization is used to deal with the ill-posedness. We also use the operator-splitting technique to decompose the constraint term from the fidelity term. This gives us more flexibility to deal with the constraint and helps to stabilize the algorithm.

An overview of efficient development practices at low permeability sandstone reservoirs in China

Low permeability sandstone reservoirs in China typically have more complicated geological conditions, pore structures, and flow characteristics as compared to medium-to-high-permeability sandstone reservoirs. Traditional geological and seepage theories, and engineering methods are not applicable to the development of these low permeability reservoirs, and wells drilled into them often produce oil and gas at very low rates. Recent breakthroughs in reservoir exploitation technology have greatly improved the productivity of low permeability reservoirs, making them the primary target for oil exploration and extraction in China. The development theories and practices applied to low permeability reservoirs in China are reviewed in this study— based on relevant geological and engineering practices, including drilling, fracturing, recovery, and surface engineering. A unique series of technological advances that aid the development of low permeability reservoirs in China are summarized here. This study may serve as a meaningful guide in achieving scale efficiency for the development of low permeability reservoirs.

Theory,technology and practice of shale gas three-dimensional development:A case study of Fuling shale gas field in Sichuan Basin,SW China

In the Jiaoshiba block of the Fuling shale gas field,the employed reserves and recovery factor by primary well pattern are low,no obvious barrier is found in the development layer series,and layered development is difficult.Based on the understanding of the main factors controlling shale gas enrichment and high production,the theory and technology of shale gas three-dimensional development,such as fine description and modeling of shale gas reservoir,optimization of three-dimensional development strategy,highly efficient drilling with dense well pattern,precision fracturing and real-time control,are discussed.Three-dimensional development refers to the application of optimal and fast drilling and volume fracturing technologies,depending upon the sedimentary characteristics,reservoir characteristics and sweet spot distribution of shale gas,to form"artificial gas reservoir"in a multidimensional space,so as to maximize the employed reserves,recovery factor and yield rate of shale gas development.In the research on shale gas three-dimensional development,the geological+engineering sweet spot description is fundamental,the collaborative optimization of natural fractures and artificial fractures is critical,and the improvement of speed and efficiency in drilling and fracturing engineering is the guarantee.Through the implementation of three-dimensional development,the overall recovery factor in the Jiaoshiba block has increased from 12.6%to 23.3%,providing an important support for the continuous and stable production of the Fuling shale gas field.

Fine description of unconventional clastic oil reservoirs

The latest researches reveal that studies on unconventional clastic oil reservoirs in China generally lag far behind those in other countries in respect of content and methodology.This study presents the definition and classification of unconventional oil reservoirs and analyzes the problems in the fine description of unconventional oil reservoirs.The key content of the fine description of unconventional oil reservoirs is summarized from four aspects:fine fracture characterization based on fine structure interpretation,reservoir architecture characterization based on sedimentary facies,characteristics of nanoscale microscopic pore structure of reservoir,and evaluation of source rock and“sweet spot zone”.Finally,this study suggests that development of fine description of unconventional clastic oil reservoirs in the future should focus on rock brittleness analysis and fracture modeling,geophysical characterization of unconventional clastic oil reservoirs,fluid description of tight reservoirs,and physical/numerical simulation experiments of unconventional oil reservoirs.