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Modeling of gas-assisted gravity drainage method for tight oil unconventional reservoirs
Tomblin, Sydni
Tomblin, Sydni
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2021
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Abstract
Oil recovery from unconventional reservoirs with low porosity and tight permeability is only a fraction of the total volume in place. Several improved and enhanced methods are being researched and applied to increase the oil recovery factor from these reservoirs. Gas-assisted gravity drainage is a gas injection technique that has shown great success in conventional reservoirs. For this method, gas is injected into the top of the reservoir to push oil downward towards a horizontal producing well. As the reservoir depletes in pressure, more gas comes out of solution to form a gas cap and increase this phenomenon. There are many challenges specific to tight formations to overcome for this method to be successful. This thesis uses reservoir simulation modeling to evaluate the impact this technique would have in tight oil reservoirs.The focus for my work included preparing a tight oil reservoir which resembled the Eagle Ford Formation to use as a base model for sensitivity analysis. I developed a sensitivity matrix to systematically test different variables which were expected to have the most impact on oil recovery factor. I then performed my sensitivity analysis on both single porosity and dual permeability models to compare results when considering naturally fractured formations.
Results for this modeling work identified several trends which can be used as screening criteria for reservoirs where gas-assisted gravity drainage is applicable. In addition to the qualitative analysis work, the results provided quantitative data for increased recovery factors. The gas-assisted gravity drainage application increased the base recovery factor values up to 3.6% and 5.6% for single porosity and dual permeability models respectively.
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