Abstract

A model to reactivate abandoned matures heavy oil fields with strong bottom water – case Bartra
field

Objective:

In this paper we present a model for the reactivation of mature heavy oil fields that have been
abandoned due to their high water cut, which became the production economically and
operationally unfeasible at the time, so that we have the technical support for a coherent reopening.

Method:

With the correct characterization of the reservoir, the reinterpretation of the electrical registers,
the description of the present aquifer with the classic models using Material Balance and the
application of numerical simulation; an analytic and numerical method for the characterization of
matures heavy oil fields with high water cut is presented.

Observations and Results:

The numerical simulation of the field served to project the repositioning of the fluids in Upper Vivian
reservoir after 17 years of inactivity; with this, the new level of water - oil contact and the oil
saturation located in the perforations is determinate. With this updated data, it is simulated the
performance of Bartra 1X well placed at the top of the reservoir, where a new water cut and an
initial production confirmed the feasibility of the well’s reopening.

Innovative Factor

The novelty of the present work is the application of an analytical method for the understanding of
the uncontrollable situation of the reservoir, added to a numerical analysis to observe the viability
of operations, these are tools used to reactivate and make profitable a well that closed in 2002 with
97.8% of water cut and a production of 80 bblpd.