Using Hybrid Digital Models to Analyse Well Interference and Optimise Field Development Management

Abstract

Effective development of oil fields is impossible without reliable information on the degree of well interference. The interference between production and injection wells is evaluated using indicators that are commonly known as the interference coefficients or connectivity coefficients. There is a number of statistical, analytical, and predictive methods for hydrodynamic connectivity (interference) assessment. This paper focuses on a new approach designed to overcome the challenges associated with the rational development of reserves and well interference assessment with building an improved hybrid material balance model. The purpose of the research was to evaluate various scenarios for well interference assessment, as well as to identify hydrodynamic communication between injection wells and specific producing wells for prompt decision-making to optimise the development system. The paper discusses the results of studies conducted on one field of Western Siberia, having a complex geological structure and highly heterogeneous. Well interference coefficients were obtained as the result of the studies, which helped understand what average proportion of water injected from a particular injection well effectively impacts the producing wells in question located in the immediate vicinity. The digital hybrid model was used to identify the injection wells that are hydrodynamically connected with producing wells, estimate the degree of their impact on the production performance of the latter, as well as monitor the dynamics of such influence for each well. Based on the analysis performed, some recommendations were elaborated for improving the oil recovery factor in the oil fields and reducing development costs.