Petroleum Engineering Practices

Reservoir Fluid Properties and Petroleum Geology

• Reservoir fluid properties
• “Our Reservoir”
• Petroleum geology

The day will begin with a presentation on the brief early history of the oil and gas industry, set up to show how the day’s activities are affected by tradition.  After this, the class will form “Our Company” and, based on seismic data, seek a concession, obtain the concession, and choose a drill site for the first well (wildcat well) to be drilled.  The well will drill through an oil zone.  Since the company will be considered “Our Company”, then the reservoir will be considered “Our Reservoir”.  There will be no indication of the economic viability, therefore downhole data will be collected as the well is drilled.  A reservoir fluid example will be taken and analyzed to determine the fluid properties.  Basic geology will be used to put all decisions in the proper geological perspective.

Petroleum Reservoirs

• Petroleum reservoirs
• Hydrocarbon generation and occurrence
• Reservoir fluid distribution and flow characteristics
• Tight oil and gas reservoirs

A core will be taken as the well is drilled through the oil zone.  Reservoir rock properties and fluid properties of the reservoir will be obtained from the fluid samples, core analysis, and well logs.  A drillstem test will be run and a decision will be made to complete the well as a cased hole completion.  A “pressure build-up test” will be run to assist in further defining the reservoir and to determine if an appraisal well should be drilled.

Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

• Hydrocarbon reservoir classification and definition
• Exploration technology
• Defining the hydrocarbon reservoir   

The reservoir will be further defined by the seismic data and reservoir fluid analysis from which the reservoir phase envelope is obtained and the appraisal well is drilled.  From this information, it will be determined if the reservoir justifies development.       

Reservoir Development Plan

• Reservoir development plan
• Drilling technology and operations
• Well Completion technology

A reservoir development plan will be prepared, including the drilling of the development well.  Drilling engineering and operations will be presented in detail, followed by well completion technology.  The drilling and completion program for development wells in “Our Reservoir” will be prepared.  

Production Technology, Recovery Mechanisms, and Surface Processing

• Production technology
• Reservoir development practices
• Hydrocarbon recovery mechanisms
• Surface processing of produced fluids

Production technology options will be considered, including primary recovery mechanisms and enhanced recovery options, as well as surface processing systems for the processing of produced fluids.  All of these will be covered in order to show how they can maximize recovery over the productive life of the reservoir.  Initial hydrocarbon reserves will be estimated.