Prediction of Offshore Viscous Oil Field Performance

Development plans for UKCS viscous oil reservoirs use production profiles predicted by fullfield simulation models. The use of horizontal wells, possibly combined with other IOR techniques, and the unusually high vertical permeability of many of the fields, lead to a range of issues that need to be carefully considered when building simulation models and integrating laboratory data. This paper gives an overview of experience in modelling UKCS viscous oil fields, highlighting key issues that need to be addressed.