Earl M. Whitney

Geostatistical characterization of the Carpinteria Field, California

This paper describes application of geostatistical techniques for detailed characterization of a geologically complex oil reservoir. The reservoir is mature and the characterization is aimed at facilitating its further development. A geological structure and stratigraphy model of the field has already been developed. Stochastic distributions of important reservoir rock properties were subsequently generated. Different techniques were applied to generate these distributions. A variety of data sources were integrated for each property. Multiple realizations were combined to assess uncertainty in property distributions. These measures of uncertainty and the detailed property realizations will be helpful for the field operator for assessing future field development scenarios.

Advanced Reservoir Management For Independent Oil And Gas Producers

There are more than fifty-two hundred oil and gas producers operating in the United States today. Many of these companies have instituted improved oil recovery programs in some form, but very few have had access to state-of-the-art modeling technologies routinely used by major producers to manage these projects. Since independent operators are playing an increasingly important role in the production of hydrocarbons in the United States, it is important to promote state-of-the-art management practices, including the planning and monitoring of improved oil recovery projects, within this community. This is one of the goals of the Strategic Technologies Council, a special interest group of independent oil and gas producers. Reservoir management technologies have the potential to increase oil recovery while simultaneously reducing production costs. These technologies were pioneered by major producers and are routinely used by them. Independent producers confront two problems adopting this approach: the high cost of acquiring these technologies and the high cost of using them even if they were available. Effective use of reservoir management tools requires, in general, the services of a professional (geoscientist or engineer) who is already familiar with the details of setting up, running, and interpreting computer models.

Chapter 25 Geostatistical characterization of the Carpinteria Field, California

Abstract This paper describes application of geostatistical techniques for detailed characterization of a geologically complex oil reservoir. The reservoir is mature and the characterization is aimed at facilitating its further development. A geological structure and stratigraphy model of the field has already been developed. Stochastic distributions of important reservoir rock properties were subsequently generated. Different techniques were applied to generate these distributions. A variety of data sources were integrated for each property. Multiple realizations were combined to assess uncertainty in property distributions. These measures of uncertainty and the detailed property realizations will be helpful for the field operator for assessing future field development scenarios.

Improved Oil Recovery for Independent Oil & Gas Producers

There are more than fifty-two hundred independent oil and gas producers operating in the US today (based on current IPAA membership figures). Many of these companies have instituted improved oil recovery programs in some form, but very few have had access to the state-of-the-art modeling technology routinely used by major producers to manage these projects. Since independent operators are playing an increasingly important role in production of hydrocarbons in the US, it is important to promote state-of-the-art management practices, including the planning and monitoring of improved oil recovery projects, within this community. This is one of the goals of the Strategic Technologies Council, a special interest group of Independent Oil and Gas producers. This paper describes a project which focuses on the distribution of advanced reservoir management technologies (geological, petrophysical, and engineering) to independent producers. The evolving information highway serves as the distribution medium, specifically the World Wide Web (W3). The procedure for launching petrotechnical applications and retrieving results over the W3 will be presented. A paradigm for the interaction between the independents, the petroleum service sector, and government will also be presented. Of principal concern is the cost of making high-tech modeling applications accessible to independent operators.