A Model of Reservoir Permeability Evolution during Oil Production

Abstract

In this paper, we present a mathematical model to predict the evolution of rock permeability depending on effective pressure during oil production. The model is based on the use of the results of well testing data from wells operating in the oil fields of the Perm–Solikamsk region in the north of the Volgo Ural oil and gas province. Dependences of the change in flow characteristics in the reservoir on the effective pressure were established. We performed a comparative assessment using permeability and effective pressure data that were normalized to dimensionless forms of k/ko and P/Po. The factors and their influence on the nature of the change in permeability from the reservoir pressure were determined. Depending on the type of rock, its composition, initial permeability, and bedding conditions, we determined the limits of variation of the constants in empirical equations describing the change in the permeability of rocks from the effective pressure. The mathematical model we developed enables the prediction of the change in permeability of rocks during oil production from reservoirs on the basis of reservoir properties such as initial permeability, initial reservoir pressure, average bedding depth, net-to-gross ratio, and initial effective rock pressure.