vReservoir management

Petroleum reservoir management is a dynamic process that recognizes the uncertai

nties in reservoir performance resulting from our inability to fully characteriz
e reservoirs and flow processes. It seeks to mitigate the effects of these uncer
tainties by optimizing reservoir performance through a systematic application of
integrated, multidisciplinary technologies. It approaches reservoir operation a
nd control as a system, rather than as a set of disconnected functions. As such,
it is a strategy for applying multiple technologies in an optimal way to achiev
e synergy.
Contents [hide]
1 Overview
2 Reservoir management processes
3 Case studies of reservoir management benefits
4 Reservoir management team
4.1 Data management
4.1.1 Data captured
4.1.2 Quality assurance
4.2 Reservoir description
4.2.1 Original in place volumes
4.2.2 Fluid-flow characteristics
4.2.3 Updating
4.3 Depletion plan development and updating
4.3.1 Determining the primary drive mechanism
4.3.2 Horizontal/multilateral wells
4.3.3 Need for improved recovery projects
4.3.4 Wellbore utilization plan
4.3.5 Data acquisition
4.4 Reservoir models
4.4.1 Model types
4.4.2 Reservoir issues
4.4.3 Model description and data
4.4.4 Case design
4.4.5 Small models
4.4.6 Large models
4.5 Implement and operate
4.5.1 Implementation plan
4.5.2 Operating plan
4.6 Survey of performance
4.7 Rank, justify, and fund opportunities
5 Reservoir management leadership team
5.1 Human resources
5.2 Achieving a quality program
5.3 Stewardship
6 References
7 Noteworthy papers in OnePetro
8 External links
9 See also
Overview
Reservoir management has been in place in most producing organizations for sever
al years. Several authors[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] have described how reservoir m
anagement is structured; however, the type, quality, and consistency of programs
vary. This chapter defines reservoir management and suggests how to maintain an
effective, ongoing program that can be sustained and continually updated to rep
resent the changing needs of an organization or resource.
Reservoir management consists of processes that require the interaction of techn
ical, operating, and management groups for success. The complexity of the proble

m and size of the asset dictate the type and number of personnel assigned to the
task. Commitments can vary from part-time assignments for technical and operati
ng staff members to the full-time use of multifunctional and, in some instances,
multiorganizational teams. The following situations, however, can reduce the ef
fectiveness of reservoir management programs:
Personnel changes
Altered priorities
Insufficient surveillance data
Lack of documentation
Methods for assessing the effectiveness of reservoir management programs, includ
ing identifying strengths and areas for improvement, are needed to approach the
topic from a quality perspective (i.e., benchmark to an ideal, best-practice sta
ndard). Making these assessments on a systematic, regular basis can be effective
in developing a common terminology that improves communication and in ensuring
a comprehensive review and a more complete listing of improvement opportunities.
Reservoir management assessments are also effective in providing a comparison w
ith ideal or best practices that result in a more innovative environment and in
establishing a method of documentation and measurement to determine how well res
ervoir management is being sustained despite changes in personnel and priorities
. This chapter includes a method for assessing the quality of a reservoir manage
ment program.
Reservoir management processes