The objective of this project was to develop a cost-effective method to exploit over 550 million barrels of untapped mobile oil in mature Mississippian carbonate reservoirs in Kansas. The demonstrated tools, techniques, and procedures will be applicable to similar reservoirs in other parts of the United States.
Program
This project was selected under the Preferred Upstream Management Practices (PUMP) solicitation DE-PS26-01BC15304 issued in the fall of 2000. PUMP is aimed at pairing "best practices" and new technology solutions with an active campaign of disseminating information to domestic producers. PUMP goals are to slow the decline of domestic oilfields and to maintain the infrastructure to continue to produce oil as a vital part of National Security.
University of Kansas Center for Research
Lawrence, KS
Of the 6 billion barrels of oil produced in Kansas, Mississippian carbonate reservoirs account for nearly 1 billion (16.6% as of 2000). With declining production in other-age reservoirs, the contribution of Mississippian reservoirs to the state's oil production has increased to 33% over the past 10 years. The majority of Mississippian production in Kansas occurs at or near the top of the Mississippian section just below the pre-Pennsylvanian unconformity. Small, independent operators with limited technical and financial resources operate most of these fields. Reservoir heterogeneity, high water cuts, and low recovery efficiencies place operations in many fields at or near economic limits. Low average recovery factors of 13-15% result in high well abandonment rates and leave significant residual reserves (estimated at 5.5 billion barrels) in the ground. In this regard, improvement of field management practices that result in an additional recovery of as little as 10% of residual reserves translates to a boost in domestic production by about 550 million barrels
Project Results
Project performers conducted a detailed reservoir characterization and geological model construction of the demonstration site. A horizontal infill well was drilled and cored. Simulation studies were conducted to predict production characteristics of the reservoir.
A technology transfer program was implemented to transfer the tools used and protocols developed in this project.
Benefits
The methods developed and technologies demonstrated in this project provide Midcontinent producers access to new technology important for sustaining production and increasing profitability. The techniques used in the project provide solutions for operator with limited resources trying to resolve challenges associated with compartmentalized fractured reservoirs and low recovery efficiency from vertical wells.
Project Summary
The project performers conducted the following work:
.
(October 2005)
The project is complete.
$406,086
$407,292 (50% of total)
NETL - Paul West (paul.west@netl.doe.gov or 918-699-2035)
University of Kansas - Saibal Bhattacharya (saibal@kgs.ukans.edu or 785-864-2058)