Compaction logging is critical to the monitoring of worldwide including North Sea reservoirs as well as their surface facilities and well stock. Compaction monitoring is often part of the local ‘License to Operate’ conditions of these fields. Compaction in these reservoirs has been estimated to have contributed as much as 50% of the reservoir energy. Accurate monitoring of reservoir compaction yields better understanding of subsurface processes and better reservoir management. Monitoring of compaction allows prediction of well failures and influences well designs in these subsiding and compacting reservoirs and impacts solids influx mitigation plans.
This presentation discusses the issues surrounding, and the uses of, this seemingly ‘exotic’, yet under deployed but vital technology in compacting reservoirs and fields that suffer surface subsidence and its integration with other geomechanics data including core measurements. The presentation captures the highlights of NPD FORCE initiatives to ensure that this and similar compaction/subsidence monitoring technologies continue to evolve.
Ian Stockden (presenter) is a petrophysicist working the BP Valhall Field as well as other assets in BP Norway. He has 23 years experience working as a petrophysicist in research and operational roles across numerous BP businesses worldwide.
Neal Nagel is Principal Geomechanics Engineer with ConocoPhillips in Houston, Texas. Nagel holds a Ph.D. in mining engineering and has more than 20 years of industry experience. He has worked as a research engineer, as the subsidence engineer for ConocoPhillips' North Sea operations, and now as a principal engineer within the Drilling and Production division providing worldwide geomechanics support.
Marc Hettema is a discipline advisor in Geomechanics working with all StatoilHydro operated assets. He holds a PhD in rock mechanics from Delft University and has 14 years of experience working with Geomechanics related to reservoir depletion and injection.
Tron Kristiansen is an Advisor in BP in the area of Geo and Rock Mechanics. Kristiansen holds a MSc. in Petroleum Engineering from University of Stavanger and has 15 years of industry experience from geo and rock mechanics application. Kristiansen has worked on projects around the world including petrophysics, solids production prediction, wellbore stability, well design in hostile environments, hydraulic fracturing, waste injection, CO2 storage, compaction and subsidence and reservoir geomechanics in both research and operation