SPE 93463

Effective Integration of Reservoir Heterogeneities, Fracture Networks and Fault

Communication and Their Challenges in Bahrain Field Simulation Models
K. Kumar, SPE, A.E. Abdulwahab, SPE, and A. AL-Muftah, Bahrain Petroleum Co.
, K. Kumar, SPE, Ayda E. Abdulwahab, SPE, Ali AL-Muftah, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO)
Copyright 2005, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
Introduction
th
This paper was prepared for pres entation at the 14 SPE Middle East Oil & Gas Show and
Conference held in Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, Bahrain, 12–15 March 2005.
Bapco initiated in 2000 an integrated study of all the oil and
This paper was selected for pres entation by an SPE Program Comm ittee following review of
inform ation contained in a proposal s ubm itted by the author(s). Contents of the paper, as
gas reservoirs of the Bahrain field (Figure.1), as part of an
presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are s ubject to improved oil and gas asset management strategy. This study,
correction by the author(s ). The m aterial, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any
position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers , its officers , or mem bers . Papers presented at involving 17 reservoirs (Figure.2), is one of the largest single
SPE m eetings are s ubject to publication review by Editorial Comm ittees of the Society of
Petroleum Engineers . Electronic reproduction, dis tribution, or s torage of any part of this paper
integrated study ever conducted by a company. The integrated
for commercial purpos es without the written cons ent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is study was performed in two phases 1, 2. In phase-I the deepest
prohibited. Permiss ion to reproduce in print is restricted to a proposal of not m ore than 300
words ; illus trations may not be copied. The proposal mus t contain conspicuous (gas) reservoirs of Khuff and Unayzah (pre-Khuff) were
acknowledgm ent of where and by whom the paper was pres ented. Write Librarian, SPE, P.O.
Box 833836, Richards on, TX 75083-3836, U.S.A., fa x 01-972-952-9435.
studied while the remaining fifteen reservoirs (from the
shallow zones down to the Arab zones) were studied in phase-
II.
Abstract

The Bahrain field is an asymmetric anticline trending in the

North-South direction. The field was discovered in 1932. The
field is a multi-stack carbonate and sandstone reservoirs most
A R AB I AN
of them oil bearing. The fluids range from tarry oil in Aruma GULF
zone to dry gas in the Khuff zones. The geology of the field is BAHR AIN
BAHRAIN
extremely complex with a large number of faults especially in FIELD
the Wasia group formations, which contain the major oil
reservoirs of the Bahrain field. These reservoirs are at
different stages of the production cycle. Following a 3-D QATA R

seismic acquisition campaign in the year 2000, Bapco took up SAUDI

ARABIA
an integrated study to develop numerical models as the main
tool to assess alternative production mechanisms. This
integrated study faced a significant number of challenges, DISCOVERY 1932
which had to be overcome with innovative ideas. No. OF WELLS 700

The challenges included representing communication between

reservoirs through faults, complex rock and fluid distribution
from heavy oil to condensate, gas injection, aquifer
encroachment and fracture intensity. Although the hardware
required for handling the large simulation models was
meticulously selected based on benchmark data of the various
machines, the geological complexities posed serious problems
while running the simulation models.
This paper describes the effective integration of the reservoir
heterogeneities, fracture networks and fault communication in
the simulation models built for different zones of Bahrain
field. It also highlights the challenges faced during history
matching process and the approaches adopted to overcome
these challenges.
Figure 1: Bahrain Location M ap.
Phase II involved the evaluation of the following 15
reservoirs3,4 : Rubble, Ostracod, Magwa, Aa-Ab, Ac,
Mauddud, Cab, Cc, Cd, Kharaib, Arab-A, Arab-B, Arab-C,
Arab-D and Fadhili (Figure.2). The Rubble, Ostracod and
Magwa are often grouped in the so-called Shallow zones. The
Cab, Cc and Cd are better known as the Nahr Umr reservoirs
while the Aa-Ab, Ac, Mauddud, Cab, Cc, and Cd are also
known as the Bahrain zones. To address the reservoir
management issues for these 15 reservoirs, nine numerical
models were built and initialized. The history matching has
been completed for small models and for the large models the
global matches have been achieved and the well-wise matches
are in an advanced stage. During the History Matching process
2 SPE 93463
some of the numerical models encompassing more than one
reservoir were sub-divided leading to a total of 17 numerical
simulation models which are currently being used.
This paper presents a brief description of the methodologies
and steps involved in the study of these reservoirs and focuses
mainly on the effective integration of the reservoir
heterogeneities, fracture networks and fault communication in
the simulation models built for different zones of Bahrain
field. It also highlights the challenges faced during history
matching process and the approaches adopted to overcome
these challenges.
Figure 2: Bahrain Stratigraphic Column.
1) Study Objectives
The main objective of this study was to develop the
appropriate tools by effectively integrating the reservoir
heterogeneities, fracture networks and fault communication to
better manage the remaining reserves of the Bahrain field by
taking into account the development stage, past performance
and the main production mechanism issues of each reservoir.
These tools are “represented” by static and dynamic models
for every producing reservoir. The static and numerical
models can be used to evaluate alternative development
initiatives, which can save a large amount of capital
investment.
The shallow reservoirs, the Aa/Ab, the Kharaib and the Fadhili
have currently low recovery factors and have been producing
basically under natural depletion. All these reservoirs present a
productivity problem while some of them are affected by
fractures. The Bahrain zones have been subject to a large-scale
gas injection (Mauddud), which is “transferred” to other
reservoirs (Aa/Ab, Ac above and Nahr Umr below) through
faults, are in the mature stage of exploitation. Arab-A and C
are almost depleted but some potential remain in Arab B,
Arab-D and stringers.
Each reservoir, in a different stage of development, presents a
particular problem. The following are the issues typical to the
different reservoirs of the Bahrain field. The final geological
model and the dynamic simulation need to address these
issues.
a) Shallow Zones (Rubble/Ostracod/Magwa).

The main issues here are the variation of oil quality
areally, delineation of the truncated areas, fracture
networks and recovering the heavy oil .

Reservoir quality maps and fracture networks and
distribution.
b) Ahmadi Zones (Aa/Ab).

Ahmadi zones comprise of two limestone layers, Aa
and Ab. Of these two limestones Ab is a better
reservoir relatively, containing major part of the
reserves. However even Ab zone has poor matrix
permeability in general. The reservoir parameters
deteriorate towards the flank. Therefore it is believed
that natural fractures are one of the most important
factors contributing to the productivity of the good
producers in Ab. Therefore the major focus of the
Reservoir Characterization work should be on mapping
the fracture network.

The matrix being tight any well completed in Aa/Ab
produces good rates only for a brief period. Pressure
declines very quickly in the drainage area of the well.
Even fracturing the reservoir and drilling re-entry
horizontal wells has not helped much. This is due to the
lack of reservoir energy and difficulties in lifting the oil
especially from horizontal wells. Therefore the main
objective of the reservoir studies was to suggest ways
to energize these reservoirs in a very effective manner.
c) Bahrain Zones.
1. Wara sand (Ac)

The Wara sandstone is one of the main Bahrain pays
but unlike Aa/Ab zones, its areal distribution is very
erratic. When the sandstone is not present it is
represented by gray hard silty shale. Therefore the
main focus of any study on Ac sandstone was on the
depositional environment incorporating the
distribution of the sand bodies.

The different sand bodies of the Ac sand produce
under different drive mechanisms. The sand in the
central area of the field has a gas cap, whereas the
SPE 93463
sand in the south has an active water drive, the source
of which needs to be ascertained. Therefore the next
major issue is to define the present fluid contacts and
map the current oil distribution, which will enable the
exploitation of the remaining oil reserves (5, 6).
2. B/Cab/Cc
Bahrain zones consist of B, more commonly known as
the Mauddud lime stone and the sandstones Ca, Cb and
Cc of the Nahr Umr unit. The extensive faulting, the
resultant juxtaposition and transfer of fluids through the
fault planes necessitate the study of these reservoirs
together. Therefore the main focus for these zones is a
good structural model showing detailed fault pattern to a
better reservoir development and management (7,8).
3. Cd
In the study of Cd Reservoir the lower most member of
the Nahr Umr unit, main focus is correlating and
mapping the numerous thin sand layers embedded in
nearly 250’ of shale over the entire area of the field.
d) Deep Zones
1. Kharaib Zone
The oil producibility of upper Kharaib has been
established in many wells, however the lower and the
tighter middle Kharaib have not been conclusively tested
for oil production.

The first major issue with this reservoir is the faulting
which can extend upto Shuaiba, through the Hawar
shale. The difficulties for exploitation posed by
faulting are well demonstrated by the water cuts
observed in wells structurally placed high.

The presence of fractures is indicated by the
production behavior of the wells and the poor core
recoveries.

Formation evaluation has been also a serious issue as
the initial testing produced water in wells with good
resistivities and wells with high initial water
saturation have produced oil with low water cuts.

The earlier studies 4 mentioned that the OWC could
be tilted. This may be due to the capillarity and
heterogeneity of the reservoir.
2. Arab Zones
Arab-A: in the Arab reservoirs the important issue is a
reliable structural model. The structural model should
contain the following information:

Areal and vertical extension of faults.

Even faults with 5 – 10ft throws are important
especially for Arab D stringers and Arab B reservoir.

Communication across and along the faults.
3

Fracture analysis (distribution and networks)
Arab-B: The next major issue with the Arab reservoirs is
the water salinity and its areal variation. It is believed
that water dumping from Shuaiba into Arabs is going on
in the southern part of the field and this causes the
salinity variation from South to North. Therefore log
interpretation becomes a tricky issue and can affect the
estimations of original fluids in place.
Arab-C: The third aspect that is important is the
hydrocarbon limits in Arab B and Arab D stringers.
3. Fadhili Zone
The water salinity of Fadhili is very high. Therefore
formation evaluation requires more precision. Even with
resistivities as low as 2 Ohm.m, the formation can be oil
bearing.
2) Reservoir Heterogeneities
In the discussions that follow, only a few major issues have
been covered to highlight the problems and the approaches
adopted to overcome them. The issues discussed are:

The fluid type distribution in Rubble reservoir

Fracture modeling of Aa/Ab reservoir

Rock typing of Mauddud reservoir

Fluid Transfers through faults

Simulation runs optimization
2.1) Fluid Type Distribution in Rubble:
The main objective for the Lower Rubble characterization was
to map (with a 3D model) the light and heavy oil and the
water-bearing zones. A methodology based on log and core
data was developed to achieve the main goal for this reservoir.
The 3D mapping of the fluid type (light/heavy oil and water)
was based upon geostatistical methods (Figure.3). The
resistivity and SWE curves were the most useful for this
purpose. The latest study 2 confirmed Bapco’s observation that
the separation between the LLD and MSFL curves is the best
guide for identifying light oil. Lithological variations, which
are subtle and obscured by fluid effects, are of secondary
importance. Logs such as the GR, PHIE, RHOB and NPHI
display little variation in the porous intervals and do not
effectively discriminate among different lithologies. These
constraints precluded a reasonably defining rock type.
A detailed analysis of the log curves in wells with oil analyses
indicated that the presence of light oil is correlated with low
SWE values and a large positive separation between deep and
shallow resistivity. When there was heavy oil, the separation
between resistivity curves was either negative or slightly
positive. The SWE values in the oil-bearing section were
generally less than 40%. The resistivity values of all wells
were normalized (using the field-wide range of values) before
calculating the resistivity separation.
4 SPE 93463

Water Heavy Oil Light Oil large seismic faults were generally seen not to have significant
production correlation. Figure.5 shows the peak water
production, where wells with high water cuts are located in
close proximity to the major seismic faults. And Figure.6
illustrates similar gas distribution in addition to considerable
gas production found around the graben.

0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00

0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00
110.00
120.00
130.00
140.00
Figure 3: Rubble Fluid type distribution 150.00
160.00
170.00
180.00
2.2) Fractures 190.00
200.00
The reservoir characterization was divided into two parts. The 210.00
220.00
geostatistical study evaluated the matrix properties. The 230.00
fracture network was modeled separately. Both elements were 240.00
combined in the dynamic simulation models. Due to the 250.00
paucity of hard data for fracture distribution, it was difficult to 260.00
270.00 Permeability multiplier of 100
develop a robust conceptual model for the effect of fractures Permeability multiplier of 10
upon the reservoirs. The approach was to develop a “most
Figure 4 : Oil Bubble map with Eclipse
likely” model that is consistent with the various data sources. Permeability Multiplier Zones
It was also important to identify alternative explanations that
are consistent with the data, even if they are considered less
likely. The conceptual model 2 was developed for the Aa/Ab
reservoir and applied to other reservoirs, as appropriate.
Permeability multipliers (Figure.4) were derived for each
reservoir, where fractures have an effect upon the dynamic
behaviour, for use during the dynamic simulation.

Ab reservoir has poor matrix permeability (0.5 to 2 mD as

provided by Geostatistical modeling), and this matrix
permeability failed to produce the observed oil rates in the
model. It is believed that natural fractures are the most
important factor contributing to the productivity from this
reservoir. The objective of the fracture study was to:

Identify the nature of the fracturing network within the
Ahmadi reservoirs, and

Validate the fracture model against all available data,
including dynamic data.
The fracture model incorporated all seismic and sub-seismic
faults that have been observed from seismic and well data.
Evaluating the relationship between well productivity and the
proximity of wells to faults proved to be a fruitful approach.
Best production was seen in wells close to main NW-SE Figure 5: Peak Water Production Figure 6: Pe ak Gas Production
seismic faults (Figure.4). Also the NE-SW fractures provided Gas shows similar distribution like
We lls with high water cuts are in close
the strongest connectivity between wells and resulted in better wate r. Also considerable gas
proximity to the major seismic faults
production found around the grabe n
productivity. Moreover, wells situated on the same side of
SPE 93463 5

As a conclusion of this study, it was clear that there is a reservoir, because they affect log measurements, particularly
significant impact of fracturing on most of the reservoirs. This for the resistivity and porosity logs. Although there is a
impact ranges from a permeability multiplier or approximately substantial amount of core data, most of it is from older wells
2-3 in the Mauddud reservoir, to values as great as 10 in that lack sufficient logs for a full petrophysical analysis.
Magwa and 100 in the Aa/Ab reservoirs as in Figure.4. Furthermore, the different scale of core and log data create
Figure.7 shows the oil production from the simulation model “noise” that masks the complex relationships between the core
with and without considering fracture, for Aa/Ab reservoir. and the log measurements. Though long considered
omnigeneous, the Mauddud turns out to be more
heterogeneous than expected. Various methods were tried to
The fracture study showed that there is a significant impact of
define rock types, and the results are the best that could be
fracturing on most of the reservoirs. According to the study
obtained, given the limitations of the available data.
there is strong evidence that the presence of a pervasive and
most likely layer bound fracture system provides a significant
A complete and exhaustive review of the core data (Table.1)
permeability enhancement to the matrix values. The impact of
was done in order to prepare and “to understand” the data
these fractures is major in the case of some reservoirs such as
(Figure.8). Several methods were tested before establishing
Magwa, Aa and Ab and Kharaib.
which was best for deriving the rock types and the perm-poro
The lack of primary fracture data prevented a detailed relationship. The methods include: standard core description,
characterisation of this system of fractures. The numerical FZI method, PNN analysis, resistivity separation, PNN in
models were therefore built assuming that the reservoirs are conjunction with the separation method, analysis of the GR
single porosity and permeability. The permeability was derivative, and rock types based upon the LLD curve.
enhanced through permeability or transmissibility multipliers.
It should be noticed that, on one side, there is no evidence that Table 1: Core Data for Mauddud Reservoir
the reservoirs behave in a “dual-porosity” way and on the
Wells with core data
other side, there is no need to “complicate” the models by 50
imposing a “dual-porosity” configuration when there is no Number of samples
1925
data to characterise this dual system.
Wells with core description
15
Needless to say that if the fracture system plays a major role in Wells with questionable core
primary depletion, it will certainly play a major role if description 5
Wells with core description usable
secondary or EOR methods are applied to these reservoirs. and Multimin 10
This fact has to be accounted for when the numerical models
Number of samples
(with single porosity descriptions) are used for prediction 314
% of samples used to derive RT to
cases where these alternative production mechanisms are 16%
the uncored wells
evaluated.
Scatterplot (exper2_mauddud_New _pond.STA 33v*31851c)
5000
RT: 1=1.718e-6*exp( 6.335*x)+eps
Observed Field Oil Production Rate
Simulated Field Oil Production Rate with fractre RT: 2=3.069e-6*exp( 10.412*x)+eps
Simulated Field Oil Production Rate without fracture
RT: 3=1.131e-5*exp( 14.108*x)+eps
4000
Field Oil Production Rate (STB / Day)

0.01

3000
0.001
K_Weight

2000 1e-4

1e-5
1000

1e-6
RT: 1
0
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000
RT: 2

Time (Day) 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 RT: 3

Figure 7: History match Oil production rate with and without fracture PHIE

Figure 8: PHIE vs weighted permeability.

2.3) Rock Typing Challenges in Mauddud LLD normalization

Mauddud is one of the most challenging reservoirs studied The deep resistivity (LLD) is an indicator of oil presence
during this project. It is highly faulted and has a secondary gas that is also related to the permeability of the rock and the
cap formed by injected gas. Water encroachment is limited to grain size. The purpose was to use LLD, to a certain
the northern and southern ends of the field. degree, to correct the permeability measures and to ensure
that the resistivity and the permeability measurements are
Multiple fluids complicate the characterization of the compatible. A non-biased normalization was applied to the
6 SPE 93463

LLD curve. The normalized resistivity (LLD_nor) for each 2.4) Fluid transfers through faults
well was calculated as follows:
Bahrain zones, the main contributor to the oil production,
LLD
LLD _ nor = comprise of the Ahmadi limestones (Aa/Ab), Wara sand,
( LLD _ max imum − LLD min imum) Mauddud limestone and the Nahr Umr sands. The extensive
n
faulting in the field has resulted in a large number of
juxtapositions among these zones. The Mauddud zone, which
∑ LLD _ nor = 1 holds the major part of the oil reserves, has been on gas
with i =1 , Weighted permeability values of
the normalized resistivity injection since 19387. The gas injection in Mauddud has
displaced the oil downwards in the zone itself and to the zones
above and below Mauddud through the faults. As the fault
The aim was to “correct” the permeability measures by
planes are actually large fractures, besides the oil, the injected
taking into account the resistivity curve. The goal was to gas also moves freely into the other zonesas in Figure.10.
expand range of the averaged permeability by using the
This poses not only serious production problems, but also a
resistivity values as a weighting factor. The LLD_nor was
formidable challenge to reservoir simulation. The issue to
used to weight the permeability values. The following simulate these zones gets further complicated as there is no
cases can occur:
common initial oil-water contact. These zones cannot be

LLD_nor is small and K value small: the result will be simulated individually as Mauddud gas injection is partly the
a small K value. driving force and the faults are the conduits for the fluid
movement.

LLD_nor is small and K value high: the result will Therefore in the simulation model, the concept of threshold
decrease the K value. pressure has been introduced to honour the initial equilibrium
conditions of these reservoirs, which have dissimilar

LLD_nor is high and K value small: the result will hydrodynamics and have been simulated together. The fluid
increase the K value. transfers through the faults to other zones have been well
established through the:

LLD_nor is high and K value high: the result will be a
high K value
Production data

Well test analysis

LLD_nor is medium and K value medium: the result
Fluid composition analysis
will be a medium K value
Oil recovery calculations

Oil Gas Oil

Definition of rock types

The histogram of the logarithm of LLD (Figure.9) was

used to derive two cut-off’s. These cut-off’s were used to
define 3 groups of samples which should increase in rock A

quality when the LLD increases. A numerical code was Ga

then assigned to the weighted permeability samples in the Mauddu
Oi
three categories.
Histogram (exper2_mauddud.STA 29v *31851c)

30

27
Figure 10: Vertical & Lateral Communication
24

21 70000

18 Observed Field Oil Production Rate

Field Oil Production Rate with fault communication
No of obs

15 Field Oil Production Rate in absence of fault communication

60000

12
Field Oil Production Rate, BBL/DAY

9 50000

6
40000
3

0
<= 1 (1.25;1.5] (1.75;2] (2.25;2.5] (2.75;3] (3.25;3.5] > 3.75
30000
(1;1.25] (1.5;1.75] (2;2.25] (2.5;2.75] (3;3.25] (3.5;3.75]
LOG_LLD
20000
Figure 9: Histogram of log (LLD)

After several attempts the selected values for the cut-off’s 10000

were equal to 2 and 3.

0
0 5000 10000 15000 20000

Time (Day)

Figure 11: Fault Transmissibility

SPE 93463 7

The issue of fluid transfers through the faults has been model. This requires the generation of a large amount of
accounted by introducing appropriate vertical transmissibility data, which needs economic justification. Also the
multipliers in the cells along the faults. Figure.11 shows the simulation models representing matrix-fracture systems
oil production profile with and without the vertical take enormous computing time.
communication along faults from the simulation model for
Bahrain zones. Therefore preserving the above features we had to find
ways to improve the run times for the largest model to
The introduction of fluid transfers through the faults in the
practical levels. In the largest model the Mauddud zone is
simulation model, has not only explained the oil transfers from
the driving force for the zones above and below because of
Mauddud to Nahr Umr, but also the production of extraneous
the on going gas injection process. This model was split
gas and water production in Aa/Ab and Ac reservoirs. In the
into two models:
case of Aa/Ab model, a layer representing Mauddud was
added in the model to allow for vertical gas transfer through
1. Ac-Mauddud
faults to Aa-Ab. The HM exercise consists of tuning the
2. Mauddud-Cab-Cc
permeability values for the active grid-cells representing the
faults and located in the Ac layer.

3) Simulation Runs Optimization

Ac-B

At the start of the phase II study, the computing requirements

for the simulation models was planned based on our past
experience and the bench marking data available in the
industry. As the simulation models to be built were expected Ac-B-Cab-Cc
to be up to 500000 cells with production history of nearly 70
B-Cab-Cc
years, it was decided to have parallel processing on a work- Figure 12: Vertical Splitting
station with 4 processors so as to get overnight history match
runs for big models.

The nine simulation models 9 built initially were of model sizes 20 00

18 00
ranging from 100,000 to 650,000 cells. The biggest model
built was for Ac-Mauddud-Cab-Cc zones. The relatively 16 00

smaller models ran quickly on the four-processor work- 14 00

Monthly time step
CPU Time (dd hh)

station. However when we started running the largest model 12 00

3 days time step
with 650,000 cells, it was a disappointment. The model ran 10 00

very slowly. It used to take more than 12 days of CPU time on 08 00

the 4-processor workstation. However, the SPE problem with 06 00

the size of 100,000 cells, used for benchmark studies with 10 04 00

years data ran in 10 minutes. This was much faster than the 02 00

times taken by our smaller models of similar size. Therefore 00 00

we made a comparison of all the features between the model 01-May-33 08-Jan-47 16-Sep-60 26-May-74 02-Feb-88 11-Oct-01

used for benchmark study and our models. The following

factors were identified: Figure 13: Time step splitting

Faults and the resultant non-neighborhood connections This split will not only preserve the driving force, but also will

Use of more than one aquifer
account for fluid transfers. Also, time step splitting from

High vertical transmissibilities introduced for
monthly time step to 3 days showed a drastic decrease in the
representing fractures and fault plane communication turned around time as seen in Figure.13.
Practical Solutions.
By splitting the model vertically as well as by time step, the
history match runs are now practicable. The Ac-Mauddud
1. Vertical Splitting and Time Step Splitting
model runs on the 4 processors in less than two days and the
As the structure is highly complicated with a large number
Mauddud-Cab-Cc model runs in a little over 4 days. Also we
of faults, the models have a high number of non-
are looking into the possibilities of using PC clusters for
neighborhood connections. It is not possible to ignore any
further speeding up the runs. The global matches usining
fault with a throw of more than 20 ft, as many of our Williams et al. procedures 10 for the gas and water production
reservoirs have thickness less than that. Initially we were
have been achieved, which are shown in Figures 14 and 15:
using more than one aquifer in some models. Now only
one aquifer is used and the influx is adjusted along the
edge by using aquifer coefficients. The alternate to using
high vertical transmissibilities is to go in for an appropriate
8 SPE 93463

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
0
10 1 2
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Figure 14: B-Cab-Cc – Gas Production M atch
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190 4 3
200
Figure 16: Aab Mode l with Late ral Splitting

350
Figure 15: B-Cab-Cc – Water Production Match 300
300

250
2. Splitting of Aa/Ab Simulation Model.
Time, Hours

200
In order to explain the extraneous gas and water production 150
the vertical communication between Aa/Ab and Mauddud 96
100 72
reservoir was represented by adding Mauddud reservoir as a 48
single layer to the Aa/Ab model. Once the Mauddud layer was 50
8
included in the model, the running time of the model became 0
Ac-Cc Ac-B B-Cab-Cc Aa/Ab 4-Sectors
very long. It took almost a week to complete the history match
run. Moreover, the analytical aquifer, which was attached to Figure 17: Run time Optimization results
the base of Ab, played a significant role in slowing down the
model. Therefore, in an attempt to reduce the CPU time, the
Aa/Ab-Mauddud model was split into 4 X-Y sector sub- 4) Conclusions
models as in Figure.16.
Bapco has conducted one of the largest single integrated
studies involving 17 reservoirs.
Each model was run and history matched separately. The split
assumes that the flow across the boundaries of each sector will

The study has addressed the major issues of these
have a minor impact on the HM exercise. Due to the fact that
reservoirs with a practical approach.
Aa and Ab limestones are very tight and a negligible fluid

The most advanced methodologies were used to
transfer across boundaries can be expected. The boundaries
characterize these reservoirs by taking into account the
were selected properly to avoid intersecting any geological
specific problems posed by each one.
feature and flow pattern by increasing pore volume along

The numerical models built are the main tools to evaluate
cross boundaries. It was found that the sectored models saved
alternative production scenarios and to decide the most
more than ten times of the CPU time compared to the full
appropriate asset management strategies.
model Figure.17. It has been found that no appreciable change

This type of integrated study is also a good opportunity
has been observed between the HM results of the sectored
to recognize in which areas the data is lacking to enhance
model and the full model. The analytical aquifer was replaced
the reservoir characterization in the next study revision.
by increasing the pore volume of the peripheral cells in
Mauddud layer itself.
SPE 93463 9

5) Recommendations
Though a practical approach has been suggested for defining
the fluid distribution in Rubble zone, more scientific methods
should be devised to arrive at the definition with out
ambiguity.
10. Williams, M.A. and Keating, J.F. and Barghouty, M.F.,
“The Stratigraphic Method: A Structural Approach to
History Match Complex Simulation Models”, SPE
38014.

For the reservoirs, which are still under development, efforts

should be made to acquire additional routine and special core
data to characterize these reservoirs in a more precise manner.
As more understanding of the existence and distribution of
fracture network are required in shallow and Bahrain zones,
run FMI logs more frequently to acquire data. If these data
point to the fact that the producing mechanisms in some of
these reservoirs are controlled by fractures, then adopt to dual
porosity and dual permeability models for these reservoirs.
The compositional effects of the gas injection in Mauddud
reservoir, needs to be accounted by resorting to compositional
models, once a satisfactory history match is obtained with the
black oil model.

6) Acknowledgment

We thank the Bahrain Petroleum Company authorities for

permission to publish this paper. Special thanks are due to Mr.
Faisal Al Mahroos, Manager Petroleum Engineering, Bapco
for his keen interest in this study and the valuable suggestions.
Our sincere thanks to Mr.Hisham Zubari, Head Reservoir
Engineer, Bapco for the fruitful discussions and suggestions
for speeding up the simulation studies.

7) References

1. CGG and BAPCO, 2001. Khuff and Unayzah Reservoir

Characterization Study. Final Report from Phase I of
Awali Field Reservoir Characterization Study.
(Unpublished)
2. CGG – BAPCO Team, August 2002, Awali Field Study
(Unpublished)
3. Banoco, 1965. BRT Report, by the Exploration and
Development Department (Unpublished)
4. Banoco, 1980. A Comprehensive Review of the Bahrain
Field (Unpublished)
5. Zubari, H.K. and Al-Awainati, M.Y. 1997. “Utilizing
well tests in determining the drive mechanism and
threshold pressure pressures between three
communicating reservoirs. SPE 37795.
6. Zubari, H.K. and Abdulwahab, A. E., “The role of
sequential welltesting in Improving oil recovery from a
closed sand lens in the Bahrain Field”, SPE 53231.
7. Murty, C.R.K., Al Saleh, N.and Dakessian, B.A., “Forty
Seven Years’ Gas Injection in a Preferentially Oil-Wet
Low-Dip Reservoir”, SPE 13749, JPT (Mar. 1987), pp.
363-368.
8. Murty, C.R.K. and Al-Haddad, A.M., “Integrated
Development Approach for a mature oil Filed”, SPE
81438.
9. K. Kumar, Ayda E. Abdulwahab and Ali AL-Muftah,
“BAHRAIN FIELD – An Integrated Simulation Study of
15 Reservoirs”, SPE 81502.