ROUNDTABLE: RESERVOIR SIMULATION Exploring the Role of Reserv Manfred Wittmann (moderator) Schlumberger Overseas S.A Jakarta, Indonesia Reservoir simulation isthe fool engineers use to model the possible flow behaviors of the reservoir over fime—from pessimistic, 1 optimistic, to probable. Here are the views of six simulation experts on the scope of reservoir simulation, its proper inputs, quality control, and trends forthe Future. ‘Abdul Karim AL-Rabah Kuwait Oi Company Almac, Kuwait Pramod P. Bansal Mobil Exploration ana Producing Services In. Dallas, Texas, USA ‘THE FUNCTION AND SCOPE OF RESERVOIR SIMULATION MODERATOR Manfred Wittmann Al, since you area builder of reservoir simulation models, lot's start wth you. What does a reservoir simulation do! AL BREITENBACH The function of reservoir simulation isto solve the fundamental flow equations insufficient detail so that you can predict the consecences of changes in operating practice. Successful reser voir simulation, therefore, requires solving those equations as precisely as possible, This means two things. First it means developing a numerical simulator that will give accurate solu tions for the data input. Second, it means being able to describe the reservoir with suficient accuracy so that the numerical solu: tions give an accurate basis on which to make predictions. MODERATOR ‘You used “Suficient” twice. What is suficient detail and sufi cient accuracy? NANSEN SALERI Sufficiency is reservoirspecific, dependi nosily on reservoir size and complexity. You may have close to sufficient data in small, simple reservoirs, and may never approach it in large or ‘complex ones, no matter how hard you ty, Because data about reservoirs almost always lack a degree of detail and accuracy, reservoir simulation cannot be considered a deterministic tool. is more probabilistic, along the lines of weather forecasting mod: cls, if we accept reservoie simulation as such, then I think itcan be put to optimal use Oilfield Reviewoir Simulation EA. Breitenbach Scientific Softwae-ntecomp, tn: Denver, Colorado, USA Larry D. Hallenbeck Philips Petroleum Cornoany Tananger, Norway MODERATOR ‘What is optimal use—why undertake a reservoir simulation? PRAMOD BANSAL ‘We typically use simulation studies in two settings: In develop- ment ofa new field, a simulation can help us decide how many ‘ells we need and where they should be. In an established field that has unexpectedly poor performance, a simulation can tell us, why and help us find ways to improve performance. In ether setting, itis important atthe outset to define the purpose ofthe simulation and do the necessary homework before undertaking, the simulation. This homework involves use of simple reservoir engineering tools, such as material balance calculations and boundary conditions and aquifer size. In the case of poor performance of an established field, material balance equations may not tll you why you have poor perfor: ‘mance; you may need more description and simulation ABDUL KARIM AL-RABAH | question the value of simulation studies atthe development stage. Without the benefit of production history, think results of simulations during the development stage are doubsful SALERI (On the contrary, reservoir simulation may be at its best when data are sparse. Itis an effective tool for comparing different probabilities influencing flow—pressure-volume-temperature (PVD variations or variations in the continuity of shales or faults, ‘rin the connectivity of compartments ofthe reservoir. Simula lion studies are the most effective way to develop a sensible ‘engineering solution to the different possible scenarios. Volume 2 Number 2 Nansen G. Saleri (Chevron Exploration and Production Services Company Houston, Texas, USA D. Nathan Meehan Union Pacific Resources Company. Fort Wont, Texas, USA AL-RABAH | agree that when data are sparse you need to run some basic simulation for planning. But | don’t think you should develop a field based solely on simulation studies if production history is lacking, Ifyou have some wells, with atleast a minimum of pro: duction history, then you can go back and modify your mode! But without that, I don't feel that | can decide how to develop a field of 100 wells SALERI Unfortunately we dont always have time to gather all that infor mation. In some exploration projects we have only 4 to 12 Weeks to make the best technical evaluation we can, on which large investments will be based. In this setting, reservoir simula- tion plays a key role BREITENBACH | think perhaps Nansen (Saler and Abdul Karim [Al-Rabah] are talking about two different things. When you're considering, ‘major investment decisions like location of offshore platforms ‘and pipelines, you may not have a great deal of information, but ‘you still have to decicle where and how many wells to drill. Even, if you might not be able to produce fora year or several years, reservoir simulation isa useul sensitivity tool. It gives you devel- ‘opment strategies for a range of possible reservoir conditions — the presence or absence of faults, whether they are sealing oF ‘er contains to his atc, thank alo to Luis Ayetaran, Schlumberger Technical Seren Dut UAE Tom Gul Siti Son tacone, fe, Deve Ol ‘alo USA’ and kia Sh Seino, Katt Ol Conny Aras ew Roundubl candace i San Amoi, Teas, USA, Oxi 1, 1989. Repeat Formation Tee (FT fa atk of Schaberge Cray tea wademarcof Cay Reseach eROUNDTABLE: RESERVOIR SIMULATION Exploring the Role of Reserv oir Simulation ‘Manfred Wittmann, (moderator) Schlumberger Overseas S.A Jakarta, Indonesia Reservoir simulation is the tool engineers use to model the possible flow behaviors of the reservoir over fime—from istic, to optimistic, to probable. Here are the views of wlation experts on the scope of reservoir simulation, ‘proper inputs, quality control, and trends forthe future. Abdul Karim AL-Rabah Pramod P. Bansal Kuwait Of Company Mobil Exploration and Producing Abad, Kunvait Services Inc Dallas, Texas, USA ‘THE FUNCTION AND SCOPE OF RESERVOIR SIMULATION MODERATOR ‘Manfred Wittmann, AN, since you are a builder of reservoir simulation models, let's start with you. What does a reservoir simulation do? AL BREITENBACH ‘The function of reservoir simulation isto solve the fundamental flow equations in suificient detail so that you can predict the consequences of changes in operating practice. Successful reser voir simulation, therefore, requires solving those equations as precisely as possible, This means two things. First it means developing a numerical simulator that will give accurate solu tions for the data input. Second, it means being able to describe the reservoir with sufficient accuracy so that the numerical sou tions give an accurate basis on which to make predictions MODERATOR ‘You used “slficient” twice. What is sufficient detail and su cient accuracy? NANSEN SALERI Sufficiency is reservoirspecific, depending mostly on reservoir size and complexity, You may have close to sufficient data in small, simple reservoir, and may never approach itn large or ‘complex ones, no matter how hard you ty. Because data about reservoirs almost always lack a degree of detail and accuracy, reservoir simulation cannot be considered a deterministic tool. is more probabilistic, along the lines of weather forecasting mod cls we accept reservoir simulation as such, then I think itcan be put to optimal use, Oilfield Review EA. Breitenbach Larry D. Hallenbeck Scientific Software-intercomp, Inc. Philips Petroleum Company Denver, Colorado, USA Tananger, Norway MODERATOR What is optimal use—why undertake a reservoir simulation? PRAMOD BANSAL ‘We typically use simulation studies in two settings: In develop ment ofa new field, a simulation can help us decide how many ‘wells we need and where they should be. In an established field that has unexpectedly poor performance, a simulation can tel us ‘why and help us find ways to improve performance. in either setting, itis important atthe outset to define the purpose ofthe simulation and do the necessary homework before undertaking the simulation. This homework involves use of simple reservoir engineering tools, such as material balance calculations and boundary conditions and aquifer siz. In the case of poor performance ofan established field, material balance equations may not tell you why you have poor perfor: ‘mance; you may need more description and simulation ABDUL KARIM AL-RABAH | question the value of simulation studies atthe development stage. Without the benefit of production history, | think results of simulations during the development stage are doubsful SALERI (On the contrary, reservoir simulation may be ati best when data are sparse. Its an effective tol for comparing different probabilities influencing flow—pressure-volume-temperature {PVD variations or variations in the continuity of shales o fault, or in the connectivity of compartments ofthe reservoir. Simula- lion studies are the most effective way to develop a sensible engineering solution to the different possible scenarios Volume 2 Number 2 D. Nathan Meehan Nansen G. Saleti Union Pacific Resources Company Chevron Exploration and Fort Worth, Texas, USA Prod ton Seices Company Houston, Texas, AL-RABAH | agree that when data are sparse you need to un some basic simulation for planning. But I don't think you should develop a field based solely on simulation studies if production history is lacking, If you have some wells, wth atleast a minimum of pro- dluction history, then you can go back and modify your model But without that, I don’t feel that | can decide how to develop a field of 100 wells SALERI Unfortunately we don’t always have time to gather all that infor mation. In some exploration projects we have only 4 to 12 ‘weeks to make the best technical evaluation we can, on which large investments willbe based. In this setting, reservoir simula: tion plays a key role BREITENBACH I think perhaps Nansen [Salei} and Abdul Karim [Al-Rabab) are talking about two citferent things. When you're considering, _major investment decisions, like location of offshore platforms and pipelines, you may not have a great deal of information, but you still have to decide where and how many wells to drill. Even if you might not be able to produce for a year or several years, reservoir simulation isa useful sensitivity tool. It gives you devel- ‘opment strategies for a range of possible reservoir condlons— the presence or absence of faults, whether they are sealing or or conbutons to his aril tok aloo Luis Ayestan, Schnee Teil Senvics, Dus, UAE Ta oul, Seni Sowarhacom, ey Deve Cob ‘ao, USA; an kha Singh shea, Kawa Ca Company, Aes, Kaw Rourcable conducted in San Antonio, Tes, USA, Octobe 1, 198, 19