“It is Back to Basics for a Reservoir Engineer -- each time, and all the time!

This is a Self Test

The purpose of this exercise is for you to test your awareness of some of the basics that a
Reservoir Engineer needs to be familiar with. Probably you have got them already
through your work experience or at the bridging courses organized for students with a non
petroleum engineering background. In EOR, your knowledge of basic reservoir
engineering is a must and as a Reservoir Engineer you need to be able to link relevance of
reservoir engineering principles to EOR applications.

As it is just a self test, you need not reveal your score to anyone, including myself. Do not
feel bad if you do not get the answers right the first time! We will get them all eventually
in this course! However, I ask that you do it sincerely and keep it handy while in the class
to continually make corrections to the answers you got wrong. Therefore, it is better to use
a soft pencil!

If you score above 80, you’re an RE guru already, but please still show up in my lectures.
If you score 65+, you’re easy fit in an RE Department, almost independent. If you score,
less than 65, let us work together to polish the conceptual aspects.

I designed this test and have used it in my courses with a great success elsewhere.
Students have found it very informative and interesting. Also, a major national oil
company and an international service company had asked me for a copy of this test for
use in their in-house training and recruitment screening programs. I hope you, too, will
find it useful, if not at least will have a few laughs.

Best wishes,

Hemanta Sarma

Your Personal Total Score: _________/ 90

Your Name: ___________________________________________________________

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General Guidelines/Notes to Your Answers:

1. In most cases, you have to just circle the correct answer or strikeout the incorrect answer.
2. In few cases, you will need to fill-in a brief answer.
3. Questions with figures require you to identify or label certain parameters.

Please Note: Conventional oilfield notations and symbols have been used in this question paper.
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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 1 of 9
1. True or False (5 marks)

Identify the True (T) or False (F) statements from the following:

a) All traps are either bigger than or equal to reservoirs. T/F

b) Most known reservoir rocks are carbonates. T/F

c) Absolute porosity of a sandstone core is always smaller than its effective porosity. T/F

d) API gravity of an oil is related to its specific gravity and viscosity T/F

e) Shale has a very high porosity and yet its permeability is very low because
its grains are very small. T/F

2. Conceptual (15 Marks)

i) Given: isothermal compressibility, co = 3.8 x 10-6 psi-1 and the reservoir pressure is 4000 psi.
If this reservoir is pressurized to 4001 psi, indicate the impact it will have on 1 MMbbl of reservoir oil in
terms of the following:

a) Oil volume will: increase / decrease

b) Oil volume after pressurization = ___________________ bbls

ii) One can / cannot neglect cg because its impact is big / inconsequential in reservoir engineering
calculations.

iii) cw for water is often small and less variant but its impact on the oil production can be significant if
the aquifer / reservoir is big.

iv) Compared to a water-wet rock, an oil-wet rock exhibits higher / lower kro at the same water
saturation and the menisci in capillaries in an oil-wet rock are concave downward / convex upward.

v) Using conventional notations, the equation PV = nZRT represents an ideal gas when ___________.

vi) The oil mobility is highest when the reservoir is at _______________ pressure.

vii) In an experiment, a cubic box is packed with spherical marbles, each 2-cm in diameter and its
porosity is estimated at 0.476. The experiment is then repeated using the same box but by packing it
with marbles of half the size (i.e., using marbles of 1-cm diameter size) to estimate its new porosity.
The porosity estimated with the smaller marbles in the box will be (circle the correct answer):

a) 50% higher the porosity obtained with big marbles

b) the same as with big marbles

c) 50% lower the porosity obtained with big marbles.

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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 2 of 9
viii) In the laboratory, oil-water relative permeabilities (i.e., kro and krw) are obtained by steady-state
flow tests and/or unsteady state displacement tests. Based on our discussions in the class, complete the
following statements by striking out what is incorrect:

a) kro for the whole range of moveable oil saturation is obtained by steady-state / unsteady state tests.

b) Between the two tests, steady-state / unsteady state test is much quicker to obtain kr(Sw) data over
a given saturation range.

c) A steady-state / unsteady state test provides kr values only after the breakthrough of the displacing
fluid at the production end.

d) Between the two tests, the steady-state / unsteady state test mimics the relative fluid flow of oil
and water in the reservoir more closely.

e) The most commonly used approach to obtain 3-phase relative permeabilities (i.e., kro, krw & krg) is to
synthesize 2-phase relative permeabilities for oil-water and oil-gas systems using Stone’s model /
conduct displacement tests with 3-phases flowing simultaneously through a reservoir core.

3. Definition (6 Marks)

a) A measure of deviation of a gas from its ideal behaviour is denoted by: z / cg

b) Compressibility of gas due to changes in pressure at a given temperature is denoted by: z / cg

c) Mobility ratio is defined as the ratio of the mobility of the displaced / displacing phase to the
mobility of the displaced /displacing phase.

d) Oil mobility is defined as the ratio of ko to μo / product of ko and h ; whereas flow capacity is
defined as the ratio of ko to μo / product of ko and h

4. Petro-Party Small Talks (5 marks)

Write the full form of following commonly used abbreviations:

OIP = __________________________________

GOC = __________________________________

WTI = __________________________________

HCIIP = __________________________________

BHP = __________________________________

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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 3 of 9
5. How do we describe “Fluid Flow in Porus Media”? (9 Marks)

The following equation is for flow of a fluid:

kA dp
q
 L

where: q = flow rate, cc/sec;  = fluid viscosity, cP; L = length of the porous medium, cm; A = cross
sectional area, cm2 and dp = pressure differential across the porous medium, atm

a) This equation was proposed by:

i) Henri Darcy, a French Civil Engineer

ii) LP Dake

iii) Navier-Stokes

b) In its current form, the above equation is valid for a vertical / horizontal flow system.
c) The flow conductivity has the dimension of _______ and is a vector / scaler / integer quantity.
d) Based on the original underlying assumptions, the use of this equation will / will not be appropriate
to estimate flow of an acid through a carbonate rock because ________________________
_______________________________________________. Furthermore, based on original underlying
assumptions, this equation will be valid for flow of only compressible / incompressible fluids.
e) Most reservoir flows are of ___________________ and _____________________ type even though
above equation is valid for the steady-state flow flow.

6. Flow Concepts, Again! (10 Marks)

i) Typically, the process that recovers more oil is:

Waterflooding of a water-wet reservoir / Waterflooding of an oil-wet reservoir

ii) Porosity of a rock is a measure of its storage capacity / flow conductivity and it is the effective /
absolute porosity which is of practical interest to a reservoir engineer.

iii) Assuming the usual notations, the oil volume in a reservoir is given by the following equation:

Oil Volume in Reservoir = A h Φ (1 – Sw – Sg)

To convert this volume to stock tank conditions (i.e., surface conditions), we need to divide / multiply
the reservoir oil volume by Bg / Bo / co /So.
iv) One should not neglect the isothermal compressibilities of oil, water, gas and rock in calculations in
saturated / undersaturated reservoirs because _________________________________.

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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 4 of 9
v) A sweet crude oil refers to oil with glucose / without acid gases and a sour crude oil refers to the one
containing H2S / N2 / methane gas.

vi) An acid gas is one that contains N2 & CH4 / H2S & CO2.

7. Justify -- Let’s Put It in Words (5 marks)

a) What strategy will you adopt to increase the oil recovery factor from a solution-gas drive reservoir
below its bubble point pressure, and why?

Strategy:
________________________________________________________________________________

Why:
_______________________________________________________________________________

b) An isopach map relates to:___________________________________________________________

c) A structure map relates to:___________________________________________________________

d) What inference will you make, with regard to the formation dip, when the adjacent contours in a
structure map are very closely spaced? ________________________________________________

8) Pick & Match (6 Marks)

Pick correct units from and amongst the

following 7 to match against 6 parameters
listed in the adjoining table.
g/cm3 Parameter The Unit is …
dimensionless Gas Oil Ratio
Reservoir bbl / SCF Permeability
o
R Gas Formation Volume Factor
2
m Viscosity
SCF/STB Temperature
g /(cm.s) Specific Gravity

9a) Oh thy neighbour: Water – where do you stand and what’s your strength? (2 marks)

a) Using typical fluid pressure gradients of water of 0.45 psi/ft and oil of 0.35 psi/ft, the depth of the
WOC, which is at 3500 psia is ____________ft.

b) The general equation one must use to obtain pressure in the oil zone above the WOC for is:
_______________________.

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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 5 of 9
9b) In Petro Lingo, “Need to speak our language” -- Choose the correct answer (4 marks, because
two questions V and VI are answered for you!)

I. A “dog house” refers to:

a. The office of the boss who works hard with dogged determination
b. The space reserved in the company premises for top executives to house their pet dogs
c. Driller’s office in the well site
d. None of the above

II. A “cat walk” refers to:

a. Where fashion models introduce new lines of clothes
b. Narrow pipe works in oil facilities over which small animals (cats, possums etc.) run
around
c. A long platform below the rotary table for moving drill pipes and casings to and from the
derrick floor.
d. None of the above

III. A “monkey board” refers to:

a. Resting place for curious monkeys around the drill site for a well located in the tropics
and in hilly terrain.
b. A platform above the derrick floor from which a drilling personnel makes and breaks drill
pipe joints
c. An evacuation boat housed in offshore platforms offshore Brazil.
d. None of the above

IV. A “crow’s nest” is:

a. Joints with too many intersecting pipes in a surface facility
b. Top most platform in the derrick where the crown block is housed.
c. A reservoir engineer’s terminology to dub any messy and confusing interpretive work.
d. None of the above

V. While Australia has a substantial crude oil production, her seven major operating refineries use
only a small percentage of crude oils from Aussie oil fields because:
a. Price is right for overseas crude oil
b. They try to remain in the good books of environmentalists
c. Aussie crude oils are generally lighter but heavier oils are needed to produce products like
lubricating oils and
d. None of the above

VI. The Malaysian crude oil, named Tapis, is the benchmark for crude oil pricing at Singapore.
Australia generally uses this benchmark for its crude oil price. Likewise, Singapore, too, being a
regional refining centre, the benchmark price for the unleaded petrol is also set in Singapore
based on:
a. Famous Singapore Slingers drink as its consumption reflects the economy
b. The spot price of the brand: Mogas 95 Octane Unleaded.
c. Daily volume of oil tanker movements in and out of the Singapore seaport
d. An APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) trade agreement amongst nations in the
region.

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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 6 of 9
10) Figures are Engineer’s “Language”! (Total Marks from Figures = 23)

This question comprises of the following five figures. Related questions are placed within a shaded box
in each figure.

Q10.1) Based on these production characteristics,

identify the types of reservoir drive for A, B and C:

A : Water / Solution / Gas Cap Drive

Production/Reservoir Pressure

B : Water / Solution / Gas Cap Drive

Pb
C : Water / Solution / Gas Cap Drive
PRESSURE
GOR 1
Q10.2) What is causing the slight drop in the GOR
A immediately after the bubble-point pressure is
reached in Figure A:

OIL RATE
__________________________________________
W.C.2

U.R. 3
Time __________________________________________
Prod/Resr Pressure

PRESSURE GOR1
Q10.3) The GOR in Figure B shows periodic mild
peaks (identified within dashed ovals in the figure.
B The reason for this is (strikeout ones not applicable):
OIL RATE
i) Possible minor errors in measurement
W.C.2

Time U.R.3 ii) Oil finds a new Pb when “fresh” solution gas
PRESSURE comes up with continued pressure depletion
Prod/Res Pressure

iii) None of the above two reasons.

W.C.2
1. GOR - gas-oil ratio
2. W.C. - water cut
C OIL RATE 3. U.R. - ultimate recovery
4. Pi = Initial pressure
GOR1
5. Pa Abandonment pressure

Time U.R.3

Pi Pa

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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 7 of 9
 Q10.4) Identify and label the following graphs as appropriate

( i.e, Write on each graph what it represents corresponding to Y-axis.)

1300

0.0020
1200 1.9

Oil Formation Volume Factor, Bo

1100 1.8
Gas Formation Volume Factor, Bg
Solution Gas Oil Ratio, Rs

1000 0.0015 1.7

900 1.6

800 1.5

0.0010
700 1.4
Initial
Bubble-Point Pressure Reservoir Pressure
600 1.3

500 0.0005 1.2

2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

Pressure (psia)

Q10.5) Anatomy of P-T Diagram: In this typical P-T diagram points A, B and D represent three reservoir conditions.
Based on your understanding of P-T diagram, identify the following:

i) Reservoir Fluid is in Liquid Phase at point: A / B / D

ii) Reservoir Fluid is in Gas Phase at point: A / B / D
iii) Reservoir Fluid is in Two-Phase (gas & liquid) at point A / B / D
iv) Saturated reservoir is represented by the point A / B / D
v) Label Dew Point and Bubble Point Curves on the P-T diagram
vi) Conceptually show the points where (a) dew point reservoir and (b) volatile oil reservoir will lie in the P-T
diagram
vii) Draw the cricondentherm on the P-T diagram
3000
Critical Point
A B
Pressure, psia

1500 D

60 40
100 80 20
10
0

0
100 Temperature, oC 200

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Reservoir Engineering Self-Test, Hemanta Sarma Page 8 of 9
 Q10.6) P-T Diagram, Again!

Following two P-T diagrams (A and B) are from two different oil reservoirs.

a) The P-T diagram that represents the reservoir with higher oil API gravity is: A / B

b) Pick the correct statement between the following two:

I. Higher the API gravity of an oil, higher is its density in lb/ft3

II. Higher the API gravity of an oil, lower is its density in lb/ft3

Pressure c
B

Temperature

Q10.7) Here is a typical set of relative

permeability curves for a now-wetting and
Relative Permeability Curves wetting fluid system.

i) The curve that represents the relative

permeability to the non-wetting phase is:

1.0 CA / CD / BD
B i) The points C and D are called:

C: ______________________________

D: ______________________________
A
kr iii) Theoretically, what is the maximum
moveable saturation of the non-wetting
phase? (Circle the correct answer)

a) ED
b) CD
c) AC
d) BC
e) AD
E C D 1.0
Wetting Phase Saturation

Thank You!
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