Evaluation

Volumetrics

GEOL 4233 Class

April 29, 2008

Dan Boyd
Oklahoma Geological Survey
Norman, Oklahoma

Volumetrics
1) Definitions / Conversions (Handy Facts)
2) Assumptions (The Art of Volumetrics)
3) Mechanics (Input Variables)
4) Reserves (Recovery Factors / Probabilistic Calculations)

Volumetrics
Definitions / Conversions
OOIP
OGIP
RF
FVF: (Bo, Bg)
Saturations / Residual Saturations (So, Sg, Sw Soirr, Sgirr, Swirr)
EUR

Resources (In-Place) vs. Reserves (Economically Producible)

Definitions / Conversions (I)

14.7 psi = Atmospheric (@ S.L.)
5,280 feet per mile
43,560 sq ft per acre
640 acres per sq mile Section (160 ac per quarter section) 247 ac/sqkm
3.281 ft per meter (39.37 inches per meter)
1.609 kilometers per mile
2.54 centimeters per inch
35.32 cubic feet per cubic meter
7,758 STBarrels per acre-foot
Specific Gravity (crude); .80-.97
Btu value for gas: avg ~1Btu / cubic foot (1000Btu/MCF), rich - higher, a lot of nonhydrocarbons - lower
API gravity: 25=specific gravity .904, 42=specific gravity .816
BOE: 6,000 cubic feet per barrel (average)

Definitions / Conversions (II)

To calculate pressure (if mud weight balanced precisely):

Under vs. Over Balanced
Mud Weight (in ppg) x .052(conversion factor) x depth (in feet) = (BH)Pressure (in
psi)
If mud is exactly balanced with formation pressure:
Calculated Pressure = BHP (reservoir)
Hydrostatic pressure gradient = 0.43 psi/ft (43 psi/100)

Volumetric Parameters
Definitions / Conversions (III)
FVFs: Bo - Oil (dead) ~ 1.0 (RSB/STB), oil moderately gassy ~1.2RSB/STB, very
gassy ~ 1.4 RSB/STB
Bg Normally pressured (hydrostatic) FVF = Depth (in ft)/36.9
Example @ 5,000 FVF = 136 RCF/SCF
Underpressured (Brooken Field example): .23 psi/ft (normal = .43 psi/ft)
@ 1,400 Bgi = 28 RCF/SCF (38 RCF/SCF if normally pressured)
Overpressured

The Art of Volumetrics

(Assumptions)
Wells drilled are representative of reservoir as a whole
Average Porosity, Sw, So, and Sg are accurate
Reservoir homogeneous and all parts will be swept
The size, thickness and structure of the reservoir is correctly mapped
The area is calculated precisely (planimeters +- 5%)

The OWC and GOC are sharp and known precisely, or . the
porosity saturation cutoffs for pay are accurate, with good sweep
above and no feed-in from below these cutoffs

Well Log of Incised Valley-Fill Sandstone

Oklahomas Brooken Field (Booch)
Average Porosity = ?

Sharp Fluid Contacts ?

B-184 Horizontal Lateral

(Elan Plus Interpretation)
Sharp Fluid Contacts ?

Badak-185 Horizontal Lateral

(Elan
Plus
Interpretation)
Sharp
Fluid
Contacts ?

Pressure Gradients

Sharp Fluid Contacts ?

Here: + or 5
Oil rim estimate: + or 10%
Gas cap estimate: + or 15%

Transition Zone

Transition Zone

Volumetric Mechanics
(Equations)

GAS:
Area (Ac) x Thickness (Ft) x Avg Porosity (%) x Avg Sgi (%) x Bgi
(SCF/RCF) x 43,560 sqft/ac = OGIP (SCF)

OIL:
Area (Ac) x Thickness (Ft) x Avg Porosity (%) x Avg Soi (%) / Boi
(RB/STB) x 7758.4 Bbls/AcFt = OOIP (STB)

Volumetric Mechanics
(Gross Reservoir Volume)
AREA: Productive area (map view), in acres
Subdivide overall area into components that are calculated (planimetered)
separately based on similar average reservoir thickness

THICKNESS: From reservoir or fluid top to contact or saturation cutoff, in feet

SUMMED (AREA(S) X THICKNESS) =

GROSS RESERVOIR VOLUME in AcreFeet

Volumetric Mechanics
(Pore Volume)

GROSS RESERVOIR VOLUME (AcFt) x Average Porosity (%) within

productive reservoir =

GROSS STORAGE (PORE) VOLUME (AcreFeet)

Volumetric Mechanics
(Gross Oil/Gas Volume)
GROSS STORAGE (PORE) VOLUME (AcreFeet) x
AVERAGE OIL (Soi) or GAS (Sgi) SATURATION (%) =

GROSS OIL or GAS VOLUME (AcreFeet)

===========================
Conversion to standard units of RBbls or RCF
AcreFeet x 7,758 Bbls/AcreFoot = Oil in Reservoir Barrels
AcreFeet x 43,560 Cubic Feet/AcreFoot = Gas in Reservoir Cubic Feet

Volumetric Mechanics (Oil)

(Conversion to Stock Tank Barrels)
FORMATION VOLUME FACTOR (Bo):
Rules of Thumb
Dead Oil (no dissolved gas): Bo ~ 1.0 (RB/STB)
Gassy (deepish) Oil: Bo ~ 1.4 (RB/STB)
Typical (shallower) Oil: Bo ~ 1.2 (RB/STB)

Oil Volume (RB) / Bo (RB/STB) =

OOIP (STB)

Volumetric Mechanics (Gas)

(Conversion to Standard Cubic Feet)
FORMATION VOLUME FACTOR (Bg):
Rules of Thumb
Bg If normally pressured (hydrostatic)
Bg = Depth (in feet) / 36.9 Example: @ 5,000 FVF = 136 SCF/RCF
-----------------------------

Underpressured (Brooken Field example): .23 psi/ft (normal = .43

psi/ft)
@ 1,400 Bgi = 28 SCF/RCF (38 SCF/RCF if normally pressured)
---------------------- Overpressured

Gas Volume (RCF) X Bg (SCF/RCF) =

OGIP (SCF)

Reserves
From OOIP / OGIP
(What can you take to the bank ?)

RECOVERY FACTOR (RF): Function of

Reservoir Quality, Depth, Pressure, Temperature
Fluid Properties
Drive Mechanism(s)
Reservoir Management
Rules of Thumb
The better the reservoir, the better the recovery factor
Even fluid movement
Larger pore throats (better sweep, more moveable oil/gas)
Better water support (if any to be had)
Better effectiveness in secondary/ tertiary recovery projects

Recovery Factors
(Ballpark Rules of Thumb)

OIL:
Poor reservoir (low poro-perm):
Dual Porosity (low matrix reservoir quality):
Good Poro-Perm (Primary = Secondary):
Excellent reservoir (good water support):
Ideal (reservoir quality, management):
Tar Sands (mined):

< 10%
~ 20%
~ 30%
~ 40-50%
~ 60-70%
~ 100%

GAS:
CBM, Shale Gas:
Good Quality (depletion):
Excellent Reservoir (depletion, + compression):

< 10% (generally)

~ 70% (GOM average)
90%+ (Lake Arthur Ex.)

Probabilistic Volumetrics
(Because there is no single answer)

Calculate a range of values based on confidence in variables.

P = Probability Factor
P 100 dead certainty
P 80 to 90 high confidence
P 10 to 30 low confidence

For each variable with significant uncertainty

Assign P 90 , P 50, and P 10 values to create distribution
Example: Productive area P 90 = smallest reasonable area, P 50 = most
likely area, and P 10 = maximum area (but not unreasonable)

Qualitative (fudgability - what do you want it to be ?)

Usefulness a function of experience in area
Requires objective assessment
Most beneficial when comparing large projects in which data is sparse

Probabilistic Reserves
(Taking Credit Now for Future Additions)
(P + P + P)

Proved.
Highest level of certainty (assigned $ value)
PDP Proved-Developed-Producing (decline curve)
PUD Proved-Undeveloped (Nonproducing)

Probable.
Undrilled, but based on known areas has high likelihood of producing
Examples:
Undrilled fault-block in area where faults do not seal
Area adjacent to existing production with quantifiable DHI

Possible.
Higher risk, but based on incomplete information meets known requirements
for production

Volumetric Computations
(1)

Prerequisites
Net Pay Isopach (which requires)
Structure Map (on top of the pay)
Elevation of fluid contacts
Net Reservoir Isopach
Accurate Pay Cutoffs (Porosity, Sw, Shale Content ie: k measure)

Knowledge of Potential Flow-Barriers (each compartment calculated separately)

Structure Map - identify isolated fault blocks
Cross-Section(s) identify potential stratigraphic barriers

Volumetric Computations
(2)

Mechanics
Work Station (high-tech, but still just a tool)
Log analyses, tops, net pay thicknesses are usually digital and internal
Computer-generated maps/cross-sections must be truthed and edited
Advantage can sift vast amounts of data and quickly analyze wide range of
possibilities
Disadvantage GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) but its nice looking garbage

Paper (much slower, but often results in better geological understanding )

PC computer aid only, interpretation on paper (hand-contouring & log analysis)
Planimeter usually used for calculating areas, or.
Eyeball entire pay map with an average pay thickness, or box-out into bite-size chunks
Given the assumptions the experienced eyeballer has the edge

Reservoir Volume
Mechanics
(Work stations crashed &/or planimeters been stolen)

Bite-Size Chunks Technique

Box out areas into rectangles-triangles
Calculate areas
Assign each area an average thickness
Sum the volumes calculated

Reservoir Volume
Mechanics

Slab and Wedge Technique

(Useful in areas of shallow dip)
Reservoir thickness ~ constant
Area inside of where water contact is at reservoir bottom
assigned full thickness value
Area outside of this, to the edge of the water contact, is
assigned half of the full thickness value

Blanket 40 Reservoir with 80 of Closure

Slab Area + Wedge Area / 2

= Gross Reservoir Volume

In this example reservoir ~40 thick

Slab Area

Net Pay maximum line

Wedge Area
Net Pay zero-line

Assume OWC @ Base of reservoir

Net Oil Reservoir Isopach

(Well control good, Zero line conforms to OWC)
Planimeter 2-3 areas: ~ 0-20, 20-30, 30+

Volumetric Map Set

Rigorous By the Book
(This is usually overkill)

Brooken Field Net Sandstone Isopach

Reams Southeast Field

Middle Booch Structure Map

Trapping Fault

Reams Southeast Field Study

PS-0 Net Sand Isopach

Reams Southeast Field Study

PS-2 Net Sand Isopach

Reams Southeast Field

Middle Booch Net Sandstone Isopach
(Showing Combination Trap)

Fault Contact

Reservoir Limits

Water Contact

Reams Southeast Field Study Volumetric Input

Reams Southeast Field Study Gas Volumes

Exercises

Exercise 1a:
Calculate OGIP

Exercise 1b:
(Alternative Interpretation)

Calculate OGIP

Exercise 1c:
(Yet another alternative Interpretation)

Calculate OGIP

Exercise 1
(Sparse Data)

Volumetrics Sensitivity:

Gross Reservoir Volume - varies by a factor of 4 (at least) in 3

reasonable interpretations that honor all data. This is made possible
both by changing the productive area and the thickness within it. If the
porosity cutoff (8%) for reservoir were moved up or down, results
would vary even more.
Porosity - for each percent the average value goes up or down, the
OGIP estimate is changed by 10%. In heterogeneous reservoirs the
porosity range can be large (8 - 18% not unusual).

118 40'

118 50'

118 45'

Real Life Example

(One penetration)
NYMPHE
NORTH 1
BENRINNES 1
5 50'

5 50'

NYMPHE 1
KUDA
TERBANG 1
5 45'

5 45'

Spill Point
ARCO

NYMPHE
SOUTH 1
1 :5 0 0 0 0
0
0

2
2

118 40'

4 K ilo m e te r s

Phillipines

118 45'

Nymphe Area
Trapping Style
Top M2 Depth Structure
C.I. = 200 m

4 M ile s

JW/DB

Dec, 1999

Interpretation based on inferred environment of deposition and analog comparisons (in some cases seismic DHIs can help)

With production history, the geologic model can be refined

(and then used as a template elsewhere)

Exercise 2:
Calculate OGIP
North Dome Field
(Qatar/Iran)

North Dome Field

Ghawar Field

Regional Location Map

From Fredrick Robelius

Uppsala Universitet, 2005

Exercise 2

North Dome Field:

Productive Area: ~ 40 x 70 mi
Average Thickness: ~ 510
Average Porosity: ~ 20%
Average Swi: ~ 20%
DEPTH ~ 11,000 (assume normal pressure)
Carbonate reservoir

Calculate:
OGIP_______________
Reserves (assuming 65% RF)
__________________________

Get ready for a lot of zeros

Exercise 3

Location Map

Exercise 3
Greater Ghawar Field
Area: ~ 110 x 15 miles
Avg thickness: ~ 185
Avg porosity: ~ 18%
Average Swi: ~ 11%
Boi 1.32
Avg perm: ~ 350 md
API-32 degrees
GORi = 550
Depth -6600OWC
Calculate:
OOIP________________
EUR_________________
(given various RFs)

Get ready for a lot more zeros

Exercise 4

Assume: Depth ~ 8,000 (normally pressured)

Reservoir 20 blanket SS (no wedges)
Avg por 15%, Avg Sw 10% (gas cap), 20% (oil rim)
Bo 1.20 RB/STB

Calculate:
OGIP (up/downthrown)
OOIP

Exercise 4
Schematic Cross-Section

Exercise 5

Lessons Learned:
Outcome sensitive to reasonable changes to input

Where data are sparse, a wide range of OGIP/OOIP values possible

Structural Issues: attic oil, undrained fault blocks
Stratigraphic Issues: depositionally or structurally isolated pods

How to improve the quality of volumetrics ? (The Value of Experience)

Mapping of analog areas where more data available
If in rank area, may need to go far afield
Comparison to fields with production history (material balance ?)
Improved understanding of reservoir architecture
Thickening rates
Reservoir heterogeneities
Pay cutoffs
Recovery factors

Geological Objectivity (Ethics)

The company needs drillable prospects / reserve adds, but..

The play youre assigned is weak economically

Be Objective Without Being Pessimistic

Understand your area as completely as possible

Geologic history (petroleum system)
Environments of deposition (log-core-outcrop)
Reservoir properties (keys to pay quality)
Successful explorationists understand and map producing fields
Integrate geological interpretation into engineering data
Pressures
Drive mechanisms
Fluid properties (do they change ?)

Justify and document all assumptions (data mining)

Keep an eye out for upside
Explaining anomalies is the key to new geologic plays
Shallower objective(s)
Deeper objective(s)
A different way to drill, complete (?)

Remember: Quality work will be recognized

May Mother Nature Smile Upon You

Cushing Field