Upper Burgan Reservoir Description, Northern Kuwait: Impact on Reservoir Development

Abstract

ABSTRACT The giant Albian upper Burgan reservoir in northern Kuwait is a major productive interval in both the Raudhatain and Sabiriyah fields. It is planned to increase production from the upper Burgan by over 300 percent through the application of field-wide waterflood. Phase 1 of seawater injection was started in 1999. A comprehensive geological study of the upper Burgan has included reviews of all core data, biostratigraphic information, and geochemical and petrographic analyses. The results indicate that the reservoir sandstones were laid down in a complex series of paralic environments ranging from shallow-marine to valley-fill channels. The resultant layering scheme was integrated with all available dynamic data to best define the reservoir architecture and flow units, and to construct a fine-grid 3-D geological model. The geological analysis has had a significant impact on reservoir development, influencing waterflood strategy, pattern orientation and expected performance. In the Raudhatain field, where reservoir connectivity is relatively high, a peripheral waterflood will be implemented (at least initially), whereas the complex structure and stratigraphy of the Sabiriyah field dictate a pattern flood.