Numerical modeling of self-potential in heterogeneous reservoirs

Abstract

Monitoring water movement toward production wells through downhole measurements of self-potential (SP) is a promising new technology. However, there are uncertainties about its applicability in heterogeneous, multilayered reservoirs. Using numerical modeling, we investigated the likely magnitude and behavior of SP during oil production supported by water injection in two different models of such reservoirs. We found that the magnitude of the SP signal that would be measured along a production well increased as water approached the well, exceeding an assumed noise level of 0.1 mV before water breakthrough. We also found that, in the reservoir models tested, the maximum value of SP at the well skewed toward the fastest waterfront before water breakthrough. The trend of SP increasing at the well with time, together with the shape of the SP profile, were the prime indicators used to investigate water movement. In the reservoir models tested, before water breakthrough the fastest approaching waterfront could be detected approximately 20 m away from the well. However, subsequent waterfronts approaching the well in other layers could not be detected before breakthrough. The effect of these later waterfronts on the SP profile at the well was only detectable at breakthrough. We attributed this to the fact that the SP generated in these layers is masked by the high SP created by the fastest waterfront. Our findings emphasized the importance of an enhanced understanding of reservoir geology and rock electrical properties for better prediction and interpretation of SP.