Production Decline Behavior Analysis of a Vertical Well with a Natural Water Influx/Waterflood

Abstract

The production decline type curves are considered as a robust technique to interpret the production data and obtain the flow parameters, the original gas in place, etc. However, most of the previous models have focused on the primary depletion with a closed boundary, rather than on the secondary depletion with a water influx/waterflood. Therefore, in this study, a transient flow model considering the water influx/waterflood is developed. Subsequently, the functions of the production decline type curves for a vertical well with a water influx/waterflood are derived based on the material balance equation. In other words, the theory of Blasingame production decline analysis is extended to the water influx/waterflood reservoir. Further advanced Blasingame production decline type curves for a vertical well in water influx/waterflood reservoirs are generated. Compared with Blasingame type curves without a water influx/waterflood, the behavior of the ones presented in this study is quite different at the boundary. Thereafter, the effects of the relevant parameters, including the dimensionless maximum water influx, the dimensionless beginning time of the water influx, and the dimensionless external boundary radius, are studied on type curves. Finally, Blasingame type curves for a vertical well in water influx/waterflood reservoirs are verified through a field case study. This work provides very meaningful references for reservoir engineers working on the evaluation of the water influx and the estimation of the beginning time of the water influx by matching the developed type curves with the actual field data.