Effects Of Discontinuous Shales On Multi-zone Steamflood Performance In The Kern River Field

Abstract

Abstract Steamflood performance of the Monte Cristo I lease in the Kern River field was analyzed in this study. A detailed, 18-pattern, heterogeneous model incorporating all reservoir zones was developed to simulate over 21 years of field response and predict future performance. Results were used to improve reservoir management, quantify the impact of discontinuous shales on oil recovery from individual zones, determine inter- zone gravity drainage, and identify bypassed oil zones for future infill drilling. Results show that detailed modeling provides a more realistic description of actual performance and that small, pattern- element or single-sand models used in previous steamflood studies are inadequate for such reservoirs. Calculated oil recovery and temperature profiles compare well with field data. Discontinuous shales allow significant oil drainage to occur from the upper to the lower sands. As a result, the upper. unsteamed zones contain less reserves than expected. On the other hand, the lower zones continue to produce long after steam injection into the zone has stopped, giving high apparent recovery. The multi-pattern, heterogeneous model may be also used to identify bypassed zones for future in-fill drilling. P. 267