The Value Added from Proper Core Analysis
by Odd Hjelmeland, Reservoir Laboratories AS
Abstract
Oil companies will always be dependent upon quality data from different sources for optimum field development. Core analysis data, as well as seismic data, geological information and data from well testing, establish a fundamental basis for the understanding of a hydrocarbon reservoirs storage and production potential. Further, the nature of different reservoirs may vary substantially, with respect to geometry, origin and content. Hence, reservoirs must be modelled individually. Nevertheless, rock properties data are frequently copied from literature or analogues because of lack of experimental data. The motivation behind this paper is to focus on the importance of proper laboratory data from core analysis. Important steps towards a comprehensive core analysis programme include; core catching, rock characterisation, and selection of representative rock types, fluids and conditions. The core analysis programme itself should be designed to represent the actual reservoir challenges with respect to fluids in place and future displacement processes. Further, implementation of resulting data into a full field model is of major importance for the design of the actual laboratory preparations and displacement processes. This paper uses real field and core analysis programmes to illustrate the consequences of decisions based on wrong core (or right) analysis programmes or results.
Odd Hjelmeland, CV
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:
| MBA, 2001, Strategic Management, Norges Handelshøyskole |
| Dr.ing. (Ph.D.), 1985, in Reservoir Engineering, The Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH), University of Trondheim. |
| Dipl.ing. (M.Sc.), 1974 in Petroleum Engi¬neering, Montan University, Austria. |
| 1998-present | Managing Director, ResLab, Reservoir Laboratories AS and Chief Executive Officer, ResLab Group, including ResLab Norway, ResLabUK, El ResLab (United Arab Emirates), ResLab Oman, ResLab Solintec do Brasil, ResLab Kish (Iran) and ResLab Mexico |
| 1986-1998: | Managing Director and Founder, ResLab, Reservoir Laboratories AS, Norway |
| 1984-1986: | Section Manager, Reservoir Engineering and Senior Scientist, Sintef Petroleum Research, responsible for reservoir engineering and improved oil recovery (IOR) activities. |
| 1982-1984: | Research Supervisor of core analyses, PETEK, Special Core Analyses, IOR, Reservoir Eng. |
| 1981-1982: | Visiting researcher, Petroleum Recovery Institute, Calgary, Wettability Studies |
| 1980-1981: | Dr.ing. Scholarship, The Norwegian Institute of Technology |
| 1977-1980: | Research Engineer, SINTEF, Division of Petroleum Engineering, PVT- and special core analyses, Res. Evaluation |
| 1975-1977: | Research Associate, NTH, Core- and PVT-analyses, Teaching |