Professional Documents
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Ming Zhang, Longxin Mu, Chunlei Li, Kening Zheng, Lijiang Duan, and Guihong Wang, Research Institute of
Petroleum Exploration and Development; Shengjie Zuo, International Petroleum Exploration and Production
Corporation, SINOPEC; Danmei Li, Petrochina International Companies in Indonesia
This paper was prepared for presentation at the SPE Reservoir Characterisation and Simulation Conference and Exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, 08-10 May 2017.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents
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Abstract
Since 2014 oil prices in the world have dropped 50% more that was beyond all petroleum organizations and
companies imagination. The lower oil price continues to look like a new ordinary condition, putting more
petroleum industrial organizations and companies under financial stress. The price slump also is forcing the
companies and people to rethink their strategies how to manage the assets in the development of oil and gas
resources. N field, a mature condensated gas reservoir, is located in the south Sumatra basin, Indonesia. It
has served as one of the biggest suppliers to Singapore since 2005. This multi-bedded sandstone reservoir
of Lower Talang Akar (L Talang Akar, LTAF) was regarded as the only target with Upper Talang Akar (U
Talang Akar, UTAF) strata and granite basement (GB) at both ends. During its deposition, LTAF was not
easily identified due to the onlap to GB and unclear understanding of the distribution of gas, oil and water.
As more gas is needed to remedy the production decline, a cost-saving development strategy to increase
production have being pushing the operator to undertake exertions and enhance the reservoir performance.
This paper summarizes the latest discoveries and progress.
A four-step development strategy was proposed to solve the problem under the guidelines of producing
more gas with less cost. First, Improve investment efficiency by integration characterization of mature
field and less risk reservoir. Five segments of U, M, L, Simpang and GB within LTAF were carefully re-
identified and correlated via sequence stratigraphy based on lithology, borehole logs and geophysics data.
Well logs, three dimension (3D) seismic sections, onlap boundary and impedance inversion were connected
together using well-seismic ties. These characterized the structures and the sandstone reservoir, including
those of L segment which were thought to have no hydrocarbon. Further investigation revealed that the local
microstructure of the L segment was full of gas. The gas-oil and oil-water contacts of LTAF were studied
and verified by means of Drills Stem Test (DST) data, log interpretation, pressure and daily rates. Thereupon
carefully quantitative analysis, the sandstone units without productions were identified as "the potential".
After 3D geometrical and property modeling, new geomodel showed a 10% increase of original gas-in-
place and the future new wells were optimized by integrating the structure, reservoir and gas-oil distribution.
Second, Pay attention to resource restructuring. This resulted in exploring the potential of UTAF which
used to pend above LTAF. Then the UTAF gas layers will be opened up zone by zone to cover the shortage
2 SPE-186060-MS
of gas supply. Third, Take GB and other relative tight and marginal reservoirs as potential hydrocarbon
opportunities, which will prolong the lifetime of the reservoir or field. Finally, optimize all the available
ways to improve the innovation ability for future development.
The four-step development strategy suggests: 10% increase of newly identified potentials in LTAF can
be produced first. Then the UTAF gas layers can be opened up zone by zone to supplement the hortage of
gas supply. Fewer optimized wells could be drilled with higher production in consideration both LTAF and
UTAF. Targeting the GB reservoir could be as a future source of unremitting gas. Many activities were in
practice to improve the innovation for future development. This strategy provides an effective solution to
the revitalisation of mature gas fields by digging the potential of whole batch of the reservoir and enhancing
reservoir performance. On average 88 million standard cubic feet of gas per day is produced from LTAF
and UTAF. It should be of interest to production geologists, reservoir engineers, petroleum engineers and/
or anyone interested in the sustainable gas reservoir development.
Background Introduction
N field is located at the the middle host of Betara Complex in Jabung block in south Sumatra basin (Fig.1). It
is one of the oldest condensated gas fields developed LTAF reservoir since 1995 and supplying gas to LPG
Plant to Singapore since 2005. The main targets, the LTAF drilled by 98 wells, are made up of fine-medium
grained sandstones to coarse sandstones deposited in a fluvial-delta-marine setting. N field, as a complicated
faulted anticline on a granite basement paleo-high confined by two NNW to SSE trending reverse-faults,
contened variable CO2 within the nature gas. Because of this, N field has generally been divided into several
compartments. The distributions of LTAF are very special, in which some strata were on lap on the old
basement high and were locally derived in the early stage. And the subsequent deposition was more distally
and it covered the old basement high while forming a north trending wedge of sedimentation and lied in
conformity within the later deposition. The main reservoir of LTAF consisted of fluvial channel sands at the
base and graded upward into distributary channel sands of delta. More clear understandings on the geology
of the reservoir were firstly from the wells in oil rim at the ring of the anticline and then from more wells
in the top gas cap of the anticline. The production of N field still accounted of 62% of total Jabung. It was
the main contributor of gas supply to Singapore. After 20 year' s development, the production of both oil
and gas in this mature field rammed up to the peak in history and then went down quickly, which made
the development more difficult, especially during this low oil price time. So it is urgent to find a proper
development strategy and optimisation way to develop further in order to meet the need of gas supply to
Singapore Plant.
As more gas is needed to remedy the production decline, a four-step cost -saving development strategy
is proposed to undertake exertions and enhance reservoir performance.
• Improve investment efficiency by integrated characterization of mature reservoir with the targets
of drilling less wells but with higher production in less risk reservoir.
• Pay attention to resource restructuring and produce new reservoirs and layers above and below the
mature reservoir with less expenditure to improve value increase.
• For those marginal reservoirs, example project can be chosen to try and store up the knowledge for
future development, which will prolong the lifetime of the reservoir or field.
• Improve innovation ability of detailed reservoir description technology system in order to find
more valuable resources and reserves.
Abided by these strategies, the results of "production optimisation, technology series, management
standardization and operational stability"could be reached, and the latest discoveries and progress can be
used to improve reservoir performance of this field.
High Resolution Sequence Stratigraphy in LTAF Asisted by Well-seismic Ties and Horizon
Interpretation
High resolution sequence stratigraphy is a useful theory that can be used in defining isochroous strata
boundaries (Hao et al., 2014). High resolution sequence stratigraphy (Yang et al., 2014) was applied in
LTAF of N field so as to better reveal the complex strata distribution. The sequence boundaries were
defined according to the theory of high-resolution sequence stratigraphy combining sedimentary cycles,
seismograms, and with some markers such as coal group and steady claystones. Well logs divisions based on
cores and depositional cycles and 3D seismic sections were tied together in order to describe 3D distribution
of all boundaries. Sequence boundaries of four segments with 15 cycles (U1-U4, M1-M4) and 30 sub-
divided sand-units (U1a-U1b, U2a-U2b etc.) onlap basement in LTAF have been identified and correlated
in all wells by using the flooding surfaces and turnaround boundaries (Fig.2). Four segments named U,
M, L and Simpang associated with marine flooding events, can be defined in seismic sections that were
correspondent with segments in wells based on well-seismic ties (Fig.2), while the basement displayed
conglomerated granite lithology. At the top of basement, it created an abrupt-changing surface that showed
a strong reflector in most of seismic profiles, which can easily be corresponding and interpreted.
4 SPE-186060-MS
All strata were onlap onto granite basement (Fig.3). It was not easy to predict the distribution, for the
strata varied with different locations, especially for those of small sand units. These 30 sand units were in
the resolution of single sand unit within LTAF and in thin thickness with the range of 9.8 ft to 30.7ft.
All five segment horizons have been traced in cross-well seismic sections first according to seismograms.
And then horizons in lines and traces were picked accordingly. Detailed knowledge of the distribution of the
porous layers influencing fluid flow is critical for forecasting reservoir performance. This kind of division
can increasingly determine the extent and characteristics of the reservoir intervals. While 15 cycles and 30
sub-divided sand units can be correlated between wells under the control of segment divisions by using
cycle identifications of sequence stratigraphy. Strata onalp can be observed and outlined in well sections
with the help of same well seismic corss-well section (Fig.3). After the studies of segment division and
detailed well-seismic tie of I well, three new interpretated segment horisons, M, L, Simpang, have been
lowered to several reflectors in seismic sections resulting in new gas micro-structure findings and new gas
trap for lower LTAF (Fig.4). Gas sand units in the lower part of LTAF have been found for the first time
that is kind of rolling developing potential.
SPE-186060-MS 5
New Structure Findings after Study on Horizon Interpretation and the Analysis on Onlap
Boundary and Impedance Inversion Study
For the lithogy-structure controlled reservoir, structure and faults are the key factors for the geological
components (Ouenes et al., 2010). N field is also this case. By the way mentioned above, all the structures of
five segments have been checked, including basement and those of L segment thought as no hydrocarbon.
Whole N field structure was a normal-fault controlled anticline confined by two reverse boundary faults
(Fig.5). Structures of Simpang, L, M were similar in a succession pattern that were gradually onlap onto
the granite basement with U covering at the top. Onlap boundaries were carefully studied according to well
logs, core description and seismic reflector response. Basement area grew less from simpang to L and then
to M. This shows the complex deposition process during reservoir formation. After well- seismic tie study
of I well, increased anticline area of 7.6 km2 with 18 ft gas of sand unit was found around the region of
northeast boundary of anticline (Fig.5). It was proposed that some rolling developing wells can be drilled
in consideration of U, M and L, even UTAF. New finding revealed a 10% increase of original gas-in-place.
This kind of detailed structure study built solid basis for structure modeling afterwards.
Figure 5—Fault Block Divion in U Structure Map and Structure Comtraston Maps of L
Impedance inversion connected seismic data with wells together by using well-seismic ties. Well- seismic
ties played important roles in predicting sandstone distribution of small sand units (Zhang et al., 2010; Al
Shekaili et al., 2012). Impedance inversion in N field included three key steps:
6 SPE-186060-MS
Firstly, the correlation analysis between reservoir properties and 17 seismic attributes were performed
both in segment interval and then in small sand units. Attributes were analysied including tuning frequency,
sum of negative amplitude, sum of positive amplitude, min amplitude and peak amplitude etc. Then the
best-fit attribute that was in highest correlation coefficient was choosen to represent the trend of reservoir
property distribution of wells and in-between wells, including sandstone thickness and porosity. After
testing, cumulative negative amplitude attribute constrained by CoKriging algorithm was adopted to predict
net sand thickness. The property grid was computed by using Cokriging algorithm and sand thickness was
predicted by spatial distribution of reservoir property and the best seismic attribute through the variation
functions in each sand units. Finally, constraint by trend of the most sensitive seismic attributes, impedance
inversion was run by using geostatics inversion to get the distribution of reservoir properties (Fig.6).
By using this method, the resolution of the predicted sandstone was more precise arriving at 7 ft with
36% improvement.
New Proposed Potential Gas Zones Recognition after Understanding of the Distribution of Gas, Oil
and Water for LTAF
Complex reservoirs are with complicated oil and gas system, especially those enduring complex structural
evolution (Hu et al., 2009; Dai et al., 2016). In N field compressive tectonics began in the middle Miocene
and accelerated in the Pliocene, inverting many of these early basins. The movement created a variety of
structural traps featured by the reverse faulting of reactivated older normal faults. The variety of CO2 content
was the direct proof that sealed faults existed and several compartments can be conferred (Fig.5).
Petrophysical parameter interpretation, such as the interpretations of shale content, porosity, permeability
and water saturation, could be performed based on the theoretic formula (Sung et al., 2013). These
parameters in LTAF of N field were based on common methods assisted by the sidewall core analysis,
DST and production data. In order to identify the fluid types of those layers lack of well test data, DST,
log values, petrophysical parameters such as water saturation etc. can be combined together to identify oil,
gas and water due to different log sigatures for the fluids in the reservoirs. Core/DST sample points with
correspondent log values can be used to determine the fluid type. The porosity (Por) vs shale content (Vsh),
resistivity/porosity vs water saturation (Sw), porosity vs density and porosity vs water saturation can be
cross-plotted to get the fluid cutoffs according to actual measured data. Oil layer (green), gas layer (red)
and water layer (blue) in non core wells can be recognised (Fig.7)
SPE-186060-MS 7
In N field, the compartments showed more complicated in both areal direction and vertical directions.
There were seven compartments in area direction named compartments of I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII. Both
compartment II and compartment Ⅳ were subdivided into two sub-compartments, which were more
complicated system. Taking Vcompartment as an example (Fig.8). According to DST data, log interpretation
result and production data in addition to pressure data, there was a lowest known gas contact (LKG) in
N, P and Z well. There was a highest known oil contact (HKO) in X well, and there was a lowest known
oil contact (LKO) in M and N well. The highest known water contact (HKW) was found in X, M and
Z well. So the GOC and OWC can be deferred. The differences of the GOCs and OWCs in each unit of
other compartments show more complicated for N field. After integration of all data, it shoud be most
possible that the reservoir was divided into at least seven compartments and total nine sub-compartments
in areal direction and 22 oil-gas and water systems in vertical direction, which have been demonstrated by
new recent wells. The GOCs and OWCs in each sand unit in compartments of I, II, III, IV, VI, VII are
different respectively, showing layer-shaped reservoir, while the GOC and OWC in compartment V are
same, showing blocky-shaped reservoir (Fig.8).
Beside these studies, in order to resolve productivity deficiency of new wells, more detailed study
on existing producers and secondary log interpretations have been engaged to find more potential for
development. Results have found that there were still 72 sand units with total thickness of 742 ft from 15 old
wells of new proposed potential candidates that can be perforated to produce gas. They were with average
thickness of 15ft and average porosity of 22.3%. Thereupon carefully quantitative log and geological
8 SPE-186060-MS
analysis, the sandstone units that did not produce were identified as "the potential" (Fig.9). All the study
built the basis to do volume calculation in stochastic model.
from light brown to gray or dark brown appeared little limy sedimentary. The UTAF was divided into
seven layers from UTAF, UT1, UT2, UT3, UT4, UT5, UT6 and UT7 according flooding surfaces. The
structures of UTAF were faulted anticlines with similar structure succession as LTAF. Gas potential was
mainly concentrated in UT1, UT2, UT3, UT4 layers. The identified thickness of gas layers was from 2.6ft
to 9.1ft in total 350 ft from 31 wells. They were with average thickness of 6.5 ft and average porosity of
18%. There were six compartments with ten oil-gas systems (Fig.10). The potential of UTAF was dozens
of billion cubic feet. These UTAF gas layers could be opened up zone by zone to supplement the shortage
of gas supply in stead of drilling many wells, which was used to improve investment efficiency.
• For the poject team, more co-operations with universities in China, some private companies with
high quality technology and universities oversea have been encouraged in order to promote the
standard of the project result but also give open view to the team members.
• Double-serial system with more detailed post divisions has been defined. The management post
and technology post were set with different tasks.Technical personnels have been encouraged to
explore more and create more innovation ideas for the whole projects.
• Use of advanced technology and between-disciplinary knowledge by technical personnels were
stimulated so as to create new findings and solutions for the project.
• Creating big data platform with innovation idea of bounding much more dataset together was one of
key approach to encourage future innovation. For example, petroleum software package platform
was used to create a powerful platform for digital oil and gas field of the future.
• More openness chances were on the way for technical personnels to express ideas and exchange
views in order to resolve the difficulties of the project.
Conclusion
1. A four-step cost-saving development strategy of targeting whole batch of LTAF, UTAF and GB was
made after integration of geophysics, geology and log in order to produce more gas with less cost for
the South Sumatra Basin.
2. Integration characterization on LTAF made results fruitful including: increase volume, find new
potential gas sand units of U, M and L and optimize best future wells. The application of high
resolution sequence stratigraphy which tied well, seismic and facies sequence together to find new L
micro strucuture in lower LTAF was the most effective.
3. The development success of LTAF built basis to digout the potential of UTAF by using similar
technologies of LTAF and also gave enlightment for the future development of GB.
4. This strategy provides an effective solution to survive mature gas fields of LTAF and prolong the
lifetime of fields by detailedly digging the potential of UTAF and storing the technologies of GB and
enhancing reservoir performance.
5. The four-step development strategy suggests: 10% increased volume and newly identified potentials
in LTAF can be produced first. Then the UTAF gas layers can be opened up zone by zone to
supplement the shortage of gas supply. Best optimization wells could be drilled with higher production
in consideration both LTAF and UTAF. Targeting the GB reservoir could be as a opportunity of
unremitting gas. Many management activities were in practice to improve the innovation for future
development.
6. This strategy has been successfully applied to the mature field in South Sumatra Basin in Indonesia,
which improved the field management and maintained the gas supply to Singapore stable. Therefore,
N field management was a successful example of "production optimisation, technology series,
management standardization and operational stability".
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank the management of RIPED and Petrochina International Companies in
Indonesia for their permission to publish this paper.
SPE-186060-MS 11
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