University Bulletin
Undergraduate Degree Programs
P N G 420
Applied Reservoir Analysis and Secondary Recovery (4) Application of material balance equations/transient flow solutions to water influx problems; displacement theory as it applies to design/behavior of flooding.
P N G 420 Applied Reservoir Analysis and Secondary Recovery (4)
This course addresses two major issues in petroleum engineering: water influx and water flooding. The displacement of oil or gas by water is a complicated physical process that has a great impact on recovery efficiencies. The first objective of the course is to merge the material balance method and transient flow solutions for the aquifer into one analysis tool for understanding and predicting water influx cases. Several analytical and numerical methods are presented including: linear and radial diffusion equation solutions, super position, Hurst simplified, Schilthuis and Hurst modified. The material is followed by an analysis and design project that focuses on a field in the Gulf of Mexico.
The second objective of the course is to understand the fundamentals of displacement theory and practice. The extension of the Buckley and Leverett water flooding theory is presented for three-phase flow. Three-phase relative permeabilities are determined from experimental data. Several geometrical patterns are discussed in the course including: five spots, staggered line drive, direct line drive, four spots, seven spots, and nine spots. The efficiency of each pattern is determined. Strategies for selecting a pattern for special cases are presented. The behavior of each pattern with time, including oil recover, is an integral part of the course.
The students use our computational facility throughout the course. They write material balance models and use large reservoir simulators for studying water influx cases.
Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.