Unlocking Development by Solving a Contacts Interpretation Mystery

Abstract

The identification of the fluid fill history is a necessity for the development strategy of any field, in particular in the Middle East where tectonic history is often reported to affect fluid distribution and contacts in many fields. The fluid fill concept for a low permeability carbonate field has been re-evaluated and modified from a tilted contact interpretation with imbibition of the deepest unit to a field-wide flat contact and primary drainage saturation distribution. The oil volumes in the reservoir under study are sensitive to minor changes in the structure and fluid fill due to the relatively low structural dip and low permeability transitional nature of the reservoir. The paper highlights the importance of removing preconceptions in data analysis and ensuring consistency on interpretations between different available data sources. It also demonstrates how data quality could completely change the fluid fill concept. The three main reservoir units of the Lower Shuaiba A, Lower Shuaiba B and Kharaib have been charged from two oil migration events. Structural changes post the first primary drainage are revealed by regional seismic images of the shallower horizons. Due to the rock low permeability, the water saturations are above irreducible value and the whole interval is in the "transition zone". Kharaib unit was believed to be imbibed by the aquifer after charge and was not developed. Three possible fluid fill scenarios were investigated: a) tilted contact due to structural changes post-charge, b) imbibition of the deeper interval, c) primary drainage with field-wide flat contact related to the second pulse of charge. Each scenario impacts the development of the three units positively or negatively. Water saturation logs vs. True Vertical Depth plots were the main diagnostic tool used to rule out fluid fill scenarios. The plots were used to recognise lateral changes of the saturation profile and investigate imbibition signatures. Production data were also used to cross check the expected fluid fill scenario. The resistivity tools’ types and mud resistivities were examined.