Análisis de alternativas para disminuir la producción de agua de formación asociada a la producción de petróleo.

Abstract

The greatest challenge for oil production is to ensure its maximum extraction. However, the excessive production of formation water constitutes a limitation since certain sandstone intervals are prone to produce more formation water than oil. Water control allows us to identify water problems. A common method used for detecting them is the derivative of water oil ratio, that allows us to swiftly determine the water problem and to provide an alternative solution. Nevertheless, this method contemplates certain considerations that hinder obtaining correct answers. This document proposes a water control method based on the subsoil evaluation, incorporating a workflow that combines information obtained from well logs, cement bond logs and fluid production history. This application allowed us to determine 12 of 20 wells with bad to ugly water production, identifying the following problems: channeling, flow behind casing and coning. On the other hand, the application of nodal analysis within these alternatives let us know that, on average, water production could decrease by 27% and could increase oil production by a factor of 1.8 for mechanical isolation and forced cementation. Regarding the zone change, water production could decrease by 90% and oil production could increase by a factor of 0.45. Finally, based on the results of subsoil evaluation and nodal analysis, two strategies are presented: opportunities behind casing and reservoir screening.