Tackling a Reservoir Communication Issue Using an Integrated Model in the Eastern Niger Delta

Reservoir X in the Eastern Niger Delta, was deposited under wave dominated coastal conditions. Gas is trapped in two different structures, North and South of the same reservoir layer.

Pressure data suggests that there is a strong communication between these two accumulations. As the southern gas pool is producing at a higher rate than the northern, an unbalanced pressure field has been generated. Therefore, the gas of the northern accumulation is expanding due to pressure drop and moving toward the southern area into the water zone, and less likely to be produced in the future.

A reliable, history-matched model was generated after a thorough reservoir description, that included sequence stratigraphy, facies analysis, modern analogue description, seismic attributes and integration of production data. This model allows a more realistic visualisation of the reservoir fluid flow.

The previous reservoir model that considered the whole sedimentary layer of Reservoir X as a homogeneous and permeable bed was very difficult to history match.

The new model was used to propose a new well location on the northern accumulation to balance production and pressure distribution between the north and south areas, minimising interference effect and improving reservoir management.