Application of non-Newtonian Power-law fluids (e.g. polymeric solutions) for production enhancement in petroleum reservoirs has increased over the last three decades. These fluids are often injected as viscous solutions to improve mobility ratio and enhance oil recovery during chemical flooding. As part of the flooding operation, surfactant (or micellar) solutions are first injected at the leading edge of the flood to reduce interfacial tension between water and oil. Subsequently, a slug of polymer solution is injected ahead of normal water to increase viscosity of the water, improve volumetric sweep efficiency and accelerate oil production. Analysis of pressure tests conducted pre and post injection, to evaluate mobility of these fluids, is more demanding than conventional techniques, which were developed strictly for Newtonian fluids. In naturally-fractured reservoirs, flow of non-Newtonian fluids is more complex due to fracture-matrix interaction which is usually resonated in the pressure footprints. Some models have been developed to aid interpretation of pressure tests, but boundary effects on down-hole measurements due to structural discontinuity and presence of an active aquifer, have not been thoroughly investigated.
This article presents an analytic technique for interpreting pressure falloff tests of non-Newtonian Power-law fluids in wells that are located near boundaries in dual-porosity reservoirs. First, dimensionless pressure solutions are obtained and Stehfest inversion algorithm is used to develop new type curves. Subsequently, long-time analytic solutions are presented and interpretation procedure is proposed using direct synthesis. Two examples, including real field data from a heavy oil reservoir in Colombian eastern plains basin, are used to validate and demonstrate application of this technique. Results agree with conventional type-curve matching procedure. The approach proposed in this study avoids the use of type curves, which is prone to human errors. It provides a better alternative for direct estimation of formation and flow properties from falloff data.
Acknowledgment
The Authors acknowledge The University of Oklahoma and African University of Science and Technology for supporting this study. Special thanks to Dr. Freddy Escobar for providing the field data that was used in this study.
| [1] |
D. Bourdet, A.C. Gringarten,Determination of Fissured Volume and Block Size in Fractured Reservoirs by Type-curve Analysis, 1980. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, 21-24 September. SPE-9293-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/9293-MS.
|
| [2] |
T.A. Blasingame, W.J. Lee, Pressure buildup test analysis variable-rate case: a new approach, SPE Form. Eval. 4 (2) (1989) 273-280. SPE-17052-PA, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/17052-PA.
|
| [3] |
C.U. Ikoku,Practical Application of Non-Newtonian Transient Flow Analysis, 1979. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Las Vegas, Nevada, 23-26 September. SPE-8351-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/8351-MS.
|
| [4] |
G.T. Jackson, M.T. Balhoff, C. Huh, M. Delshad, Cfd-based representation of non-Newtonian polymer injectivity for a horizontal well with coupled formation-wellbore hydraulics, J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 78 (1) (2011) 86-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2011.05.007.
|
| [5] |
Y.N. del Angel, M. Núñez-López, J.X. Velasco-Hernández, Pressure transient analysis with exponential and power law boundary flux, J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 121 (2014) 149-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2014.06.030.
|
| [6] |
D.O. Uldrich, I. Ershaghi, A method for estimating the interporosity flow parameter in naturally fractured reservoirs, SPE J. 19 (5) (1979) 324-332. SPE-7142-PA, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/7142-PA.
|
| [7] |
G.A. Okpobiri, C.U. Ikoku, Pressure transient behavior of dilatant non-Newtonian/Newtonian fluid composite reservoirs, in: SPE Eastern Regional Meeting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 9-11 November, 1983. SPE-12307-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/12307-MS.
|
| [8] |
M. Cloete, G.J.F. Smit, M.F. Maritz, External boundary effects on the velocity profile for generalized Newtonian fluid flow inside a homogeneous porous medium, J. Newt. Fluid Mech. 215 (2015) 40-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnnfm.2014.11.002.
|
| [9] |
D. Tiab,Analysis of Pressure and Pressure Derivative without Type-curve Matching: I-skin and Wellbore Storage, 1993. Presented at the SPE Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 21-23 March. SPE-25426-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/25426-MS.
|
| [10] |
D.G. Kessel, Chemical flooding-status report, J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 2 (2-3) (1989) 81-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0920-4105(89)90056-9.
|
| [11] |
P.J. Van den Hoek, H. Mahani, T.G. Sorop, D. Brooks, M. Zwaan, S. Sen, K. Shuaili, F. Saadi,Application of Injection Fall-off Analysis in Polymer Flooding, 2012. Presented at the SPE Europec/EAGE Annual Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4-7 June. SPE-154376-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/154376-MS.
|
| [12] |
M.F. Fakoya, S.N. Shah, Rheological properties of surfactant-based and polymeric Nano-fluids, in: SPE/ICoTA Coiled Tubing & Well Intervention Conference & Exhibition, the Woodlands, Texas, USA, 26-27 March, 2013. SPE-163921-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/163921-MS.
|
| [13] |
T.F. Al-Fariss, A.H. Fakeeha, I.S. Al-Mutaz, A.M. Al-Shamrani, Viscosity correlation for non-Newtonian waxy oils, JKAU Eng. Sci. 2 (1992) 91-100.
|
| [14] |
X. Dong, H. Liu, Q. Wang, Z. Pang, C. Wang, Non-Newtonian flow characterization of heavy crude oil in porous media, J. Pet. Explor Prod. Technol. 3 (2013) 43-53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13202-012-0043-9.
|
| [15] |
T.W. Engler,Interpretation of pressure tests in naturally fractured reservoirs by the direct synthesis technique (Ph.D. Dissertation), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 1995.
|
| [16] |
S. Flew, R.H.J. Sellin, Non-newtonian flow in porous media-a laboratory study of polyacrylamide solutions, J. Newt. Fluid Mech. 47 (1993) 169-210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0377-0257(93)80050-L.
|
| [17] |
J.S. Olarewaju,A Reservoir Model of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow, 1992. Unsolicited paper, SPE, Richardson, TX, 1-18. SPE-25301-MS.
|
| [18] |
A.O. Omosebi, K.A. Adenuga,Pressure drop versus flow rate profiles for power-law and Herschel-Bulkley fluids, in: SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition, Lagos, Nigeria, 6-8 August, 2012. SPE-162999-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/162999-MS.
|
| [19] |
C. Huh, T.M. Snow,Well Testing with a Non-newtonian Fluid in the Reservoir, 1985. Presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Las Vegas, Nevada, 22-26 September. SPE-14453-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/14453-MS.
|
| [20] |
A.O. Omosebi, A.O. Igbokoyi,Non-Newtonian pressure behavior of powerlaw fluids radially flowing in a well located near boundaries in homogeneous reservoirs, J. Pet. Sci. Eng. (2015) (submitted 26 August 2014) In press.
|
| [21] |
A. Bali, B. Oyeneyin, E. Adom, Rheological characterisation of heavy oil and impact on its production enhancement, Adv. Mat. Res. 367 (2012) 393-401. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.367.393.
|
| [22] |
J.E. Warren, P.J. Root, The behavior of naturally fractured reservoirs, SPE J. 3 (3) (1963) 245-255. SPE-426-PA, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/426-PA.
|
| [23] |
T. Engler, D. Tiab, Analysis of pressure and pressure derivative without type-curve matching, 4. Naturally fractured reservoirs, J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 15 (2-4) (1996) 127-138. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0920-4105(95)00064-X.
|
| [24] |
F.H. Escobar, A.P. Zambrano, D.V. Giraldo, J., -H. Cantillo, Pressure and pressure derivative analysis for non-Newtonian pseudoplastic fluids in double-porosity formations, CT&FeCiencia Tecnol. Futuro 4 (3) (2011) 47-60.
|
| [25] |
A.O. Igbokoyi, D. Tiab,New Type Curves for the Analysis of Pressure Transient Data Dominated by Skin and Wellbore StorageeNon-Newtonian Fluid, 2007. Presented at the Production Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 31 March-3 April. SPE-106997-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/106997-MS.
|
| [26] |
L. Orgéas, C. Geindreau, J.-L. Auriault, J.-F. Bloch, Upscaling the flow of generalized newtonian fluids through anisotropic porous media, J. Newt. Fluid Mech. 145 (1) (2007) 15-29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnnfm.2007.04.018.
|
| [27] |
J.F. Owayed, D. Tiab, Transient pressure behavior of Bingham non-Newtonian fluids for horizontal Wells, J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 61 (1) (2008) 21-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2007.10.003.
|
| [28] |
J.R.A. Pearson, P.M.J. Tardy, Models for flow of non-Newtonian and complex fluids through porous media, J. Newt. Fluid Mech. 102 (2) (2002) 447-473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0257(01)00191-4.
|
| [29] |
F.H. Escobar, J.A. Martinez, L.F. Bonilla, Transient pressure analysis for vertical wells with spherical powerelaw flow, CT&FeCiencia Tecnol. Futuro 5 (1) (2012) 19-36.
|
| [30] |
D. Tiab, Analysis of pressure and pressure derivative without type-curve matching-skin and wellbore storage, J. Pet. Sci. Eng. 12 (3) (1995) 171-181. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0920-4105(94)00040-B.
|
| [31] |
N. Ezekwe, Petroleum Reservoir Engineering Practice, Pearson Education, Boston, 2011.
|
| [32] |
H.P. RØnningsen, Rheology of petroleum fluids, Annu. Trans. Nordic Rheol. Soc. 20 (2012).
|
| [33] |
H. Stehfest, Numerical inversion of laplace transforms, Commun. ACM 13 (1) (1970) 47-49.
|
| [34] |
E.G. Davis, M.F. Hawkins, Linear fluid-barrier detection by well pressure measurements, J. Pet. Tech. 15 (10) (1963) 1077-1079. SPE-462-PA, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/462-PA.
|
| [35] |
D. Tiab, D.P. Restrepo, A. Igbokoyi,Fracture Porosity of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs, 2006. Presented at the International Oil Conference and Exhibition in Mexico, Cancun, Mexico, 31 August-2 September. SPE-104056-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/104056-MS.
|
| [36] |
T. Sochi, Non-newtonian flow in porous media, Polymer 51 (22) (2010) 5007-5023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2010.07.047.
|
| [37] |
J. Lee, J. Rollins, J. Spivey, Pressure Transient Testing, SPE Textbook Series, Texas, 2003.
|
| [38] |
S. Liu, J.H. Masliyah, Non-linear flows in porous media, J. Newt. Fluid Mech. 86 (1-2) (1999) 229-252. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0257(98)00210-9.
|
| [39] |
H.L. Liu, M.K. Um, W.R. Hwang, A scaling rule for the flow mobility of a power-law fluid through unidirectional fibrous porous media, J. Newt. Fluid Mech. 224 (2015) 40-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnnfm.2015.08.002.
|
| [40] |
P.D. Moffitt, D.E. Menzie,Well Injection Tests of Non-Newtonian Fluids, 1978. Presented at the SPE Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting, Cody, Wyoming, 17-19 May. SPE-7177-MS, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/7177-MS.
|
| [41] |
C.U. Ikoku, Transient Flow of Non-Newtonian Fluids in Porous Media (PhD Dissertation), Stanford University, Stanford, California, 1978.
|
| [42] |
A.S. Odeh, H.T. Yang, Flow of non-Newtonian power-law fluids through porous Media, SPE J. 19 (03) (1979) 155-163. SPE-7150-PA, http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/7150-PA.
|
PDF
