Dynamic Characterization of the Oligo-Miocene

Sequence (Formations La Pascua, Roblecito and

lower Chaguaramas) in the Block 8, Boyacá Area
Orinoco Oil Belt

By:
Johaly Castillo Ricaurte, Petroleum Eng

PDVSA Advisor
Rolmys Espinoza, Msc
 ABSTRACT

The Block 8 of Boyacá area is part of the “Orinoco Magna Reserva” Project (OMRP)
which came up with the purpose of quantifying and certifying reserves in the Orinoco
Oil Belt. The Orinoco Oil Belt is divided in four large areas: Boyacá, Junín, Ayacucho
and Carabobo. Boyacá area is subdivided in 9 blocks named from block 1 to block 8
and the north block. This Subdivision takes in to account aspects like: reserves
volumen, oil quality, thickness, numbers of well, oil type and distribution of
accumulations. Block 8 was assigned to the PDVSA Boyacá Division in order to
develop the heavy oil reserves in it.

The oil accumulations in this block (Block 8) are located in Oligomiocene and
Cretaceous sequences, in a group of sand with high content of oil , it was tested in wells
MCH-7-16 and MCH-7-19, wells were perforated and proven and there was found 4-10
°API oil.

According to the exploitation plan that is being developed for Block 8 of Boyacá, which
is aligned with the volumetric commitments of PDVSA- South Central Division for the
second half of 2011 is estimated to start horizontal drilling on this block. Hence it is
important to carry out projects that allow studying the potential of the area and possible
techniques for heavy oil recovery that best suited to the reservoir characteristics for
future development plans

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation i

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ I
INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1
AIM AND OBJECTIVES........................................................................................... 2
AIM ........................................................................................................................... 2
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................. 2
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND GEOLOGY INFORMATION.................... 3
LA PASCUA FORMATION ............................................................................................ 3
ROBLECITO FORMATION ............................................................................................ 4
CHAGUARAMAS FORMATION (BASAL SANDSTONES)................................................... 4
AVAILABLE INFORMATION................................................................................. 5
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS ......................................................................................... 7
RESERVOIR PROPERTIES AND FEATURES ..................................................................... 7
Temperature Gradient Determination ................................................................... 7
Pressure Gradient Determination.......................................................................... 8
PVT Analysis and Equation of State Characterization ........................................... 9
Equation of State Adjustment............................................................................... 12
Relative Permeabilities........................................................................................ 15
Capillary Pressure .............................................................................................. 17
Rock Compressibility........................................................................................... 17
SIMULATION MODEL ................................................................................................ 17
Initialization........................................................................................................ 17
Determination of the optimum rate of production ................................................ 20
COLD PRODUCTION. UNCERTAINTIES AND POTENTIAL EVALUATION ......................... 21
SCREENING OF TECHNOLOGIES ................................................................................. 24
COLD PRODUCTION MODEL CONVERSION TO THERMAL PRODUCTION MODEL........... 25
Application of Cyclic Steam Injection.................................................................. 26
Application of Steamflooding .............................................................................. 27
Application of Single Well Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SW-SAGD) ........... 30
CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................... 32
RECOMMENDATIONS .......................................................................................... 33
NOMENCLATURE.................................................................................................. 33
REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 34

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation ii

 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Block 8 Location In The Orinoco Oil Belt...................................................... 3

Figure 2. Stratigraphic Column Of Block 8. Orinoco Oil Belt ....................................... 5
Figure 3. Available information for Block 8.................................................................. 6
Figure 4. Temperature gradient for Oligomiocene. Block 8. Boyacá area ...................... 7
Figure 5. Pressure gradient for Oligomiocene. Block 8. Boyacá area............................. 8
Figure 6. Gas Solubility and FVF Oil Matching .......................................................... 13
Figure 7. Gas Compressibility and FVF Gas Matching................................................ 14
Figure 8. Viscosity Matching of SDZ-184 Well .......................................................... 14
Figure 9. Phase Diagram ............................................................................................. 15
Figure 10. Water-Oil Relative Permeability Curve for Block 8.................................... 16
Figure 11. Gas-Oil Relative Permeability Curve for Block 8 ....................................... 17
Figure 12. Cluster Type Block 8. Boyacá Area............................................................ 18
Figure 13.Cluster MO Location within Block 8. Boyacá Area..................................... 19
Figure 14 Oil Rate, Cumulate Oil and Reservoir Pressure Behavior ............................ 20
Figure 15. Percentiles Values and oil cumulate by cases.............................................. 22
Figure 16. Oil, Gas and Water cumulate of Cluster MO. Cold Production ................... 23
Figure 17. Oil Rate and Cumulate Oil Well Belonging to Cluster MO......................... 23
Figure 18. Screening of Technologies of Block 8 ........................................................ 24
Figure 19. Comparison of CSI Cases and Cold Production.......................................... 27
Figure 20. Cumulate Oil and Steam Front for Steamflooding Cases. ........................... 28
Figure 21. Comparison of Steamflooding Infill Case and Two Well Injector case ....... 29
Figure 22. Results of SW-SAGD Cases....................................................................... 30
Figure 23. Comparison of SW-SAGD with CSI and without CSI ................................ 31

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation iii

 LIST OF TABLES

Table1. Block 8 wells.................................................................................................... 5

Table 2. Data from PVT sample.................................................................................... 9
Table 3. Composition of Reservoir Fluids at 120 °F .................................................... 10
Table 4. Presure-Volumen relationship at 120°F ......................................................... 10
Table 5. Oil Compressibility at 120°F ......................................................................... 11
Table 6. Differential Liberation at 120°F. Gas Phase................................................... 11
Table 7. Differential Liberation at 120°F. Liquid Phase............................................... 11
Table 8. Viscosity at Different Temperature................................................................ 12
Table 9. Lumping of Oil Component. PVT SDZ-184 .................................................. 13
Table 10. Oil Viscosity and API Gravity Variability[3,4] ............................................ 21
Table 11. Technology Criteria of Enhanced Oil Technologies..................................... 25
Table 12. Thermal Properties ...................................................................................... 25
Table 13. CSI Sensitivities Parameters. ....................................................................... 26

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation iv

 INTRODUCTION
The Orinoco Oil Belt has a geographical extension of 55.314 Km2, all along Guárico,
Anzoátegui, Monagas and Delta Amacuro states, and it follows the line of the Orinoco
river. Orinoco Oil Belt was divided in four main (4) areas: Boyacá, Junín, Ayacucho
and Carabobo. The oil reserves are classified under the heavy and extra-heavy oil
category, so the primary recovery factor is low; about 3% for that reason enhanced oil
recovery is required to improve the recovery factor.

The Orinoco Oil Belt is considered the biggest accumulation of heavy and extra-heavy
oil in the world. The original oil in place (OOIP) is around 1,36 billion of barrels and
are distributed as follows:

Carabobo Area, 227.000 million of barrels.

Ayacucho Area, 87.000 million of barrels.

Junín Area, 557.000 million of barrels.

Boyacá Area, 489.000 million of barrels.

Boyacá Area was divided in nine (9) blocks; Block 8 was assigned to PVSA Boyacá
Division (aforetime PDVSA South Central Division) for its exploitation and this
investigation is focused on this Block..

Corporación Venezolana de Petróleo (CVP) was commissioned in 2005 for quantify and
certify the original oil in place (OOIP) and reserves in Orinoco Oil Belt, this with the
aim of turning it into the drive shaft of economic, social, industrial and technological
development of Venezuela.

The results of original oil in place (OOIP), original gas in place (OGIP) and reserves
from Block 8 corresponds to the preliminary results of studies carry out by CVP. These
calculations were performed by volumetric methods and allowed to quantify 39.29
MMSTB for OOIP, 3311MMSCF for OGIP, primary reserves were estimated in 1.81
MMMSTB and secondary reserves from thermal methods in 3.64 MMMSTB.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 1

 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

According to the exploitation plan that is being developed for Block 8 of Boyacá, which
is aligned with the volumetric commitments of PDVSA Boyacá Division for the second
half of 2011 is estimated the beginning of the horizontal drilling in the area. Hence it is
important to study the oil potential of the area and possible thermal technologies to
apply for future development plans. In order to achieve the purpose of this work an
general aim and specific objectives were proposed and are listed below:

Aim
The aim this project is to characterize the dynamic properties of Roblecito, La Pascua
and Chaguaramas Formations to perform horizontal drilling in the Block 8 of Boyacá
area of the Orinoco Oil Belt.

Specific Objectives

To characterize the PVT properties, Rock-Fluid and thermal properties of the rock
by using core data, empirical correlations and previous studies in the area.

To select hydraulic units representing more prospectivity, using the existing static
model in order to drilling of horizontal wells.

To perform a Screening of Technologies in order to identify which is the most

suitable technique to recover extra-heavy oil in the area under study.

To carry out numerical local simulation models in order to predict the behavior of
the production and the potential of the hydraulic units selected.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 2

 GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND GEOLOGY INFORMATION

Block 8 is located in Boyacá area of Orinoco Oil Belt, geographically belongs to

Guárico state. It has an area around 360 Km2, bounded on the north Block 1, south by
Block 3 and 4, the west Block 2 and Aguaro Guariquito National Park and east of block
5.(Figure1)

Figure 1. Block 8 location in the Orinoco Oil Belt.

The stratigraphic sequence of Block 8 has five (5) formations which are petroleum
potential rocks: Tigre and Canoa (Cretaceous), La Pascua (late Eocene), Roblecito
(Oligocene) and basal Chaguaramas (Oligo- Miocene). This study will focus on
formations La Pascua, Roblecito and basal Chaguaramas, which are described briefly
below:

La Pascua Formation

Patterson and Wilson (1953) describe Pascua formation as very sandstones from fine
grained to very coarse, poor and good choose, secondary growth of quartz crystals, lime

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 3

and silice cement and the common presence of kaolin. The sand bodies tend to be
oriented in NE-SO channel with a width of up to 2450 m.

Formation rests unconformably on cretaceous or pre-cretaceous strata by area. Its

contact with overlying formation Roblecito is transitional in east- west direction.

Pascua was interpreted by Fasola et al (1985) as marine marginal environments to the

east, wetland, estuaries and bay interdistributary westward.

Roblecito Formation

Above Pascua formation is deposited Roblecito. Patterson and Wilson (1953) describe
the formation as continuity of transgressive cycle started with Pascua. Roblecito is
predominantly a marine shale unit is transitional with sandstone of Pascua and
gradational upward less marine sandstones and shales of Chaguaramas formation
Oligocene.

In the Boyacá area Roblecito has its greatest thickness to the north where there are
thicknesses of up to 700 feet, this because during the Oligocene the basin depocenter
was in this direction.

Chaguaramas Formation (Basal Sandstones)

Chaguaramas formation is in transitional contact with Roblecito. Lithology consists of

alternating sandstones, shales and lignite brackish water, with local development of
fresh water clays. (Brown, Stratigraphic Lexical of Venezuela, 1956).

Daal and Hernández divide Chaguaramas formation in three (3) main intervals: upper,
middle and basal, describing basal interval as predominantly shaly with few sandstone
developments typical of high energy sedimentation (coastal bars).

Figure 2 presents the stratigraphic column of Boyacá area where Block 8 is shown

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 4

 Figure 2. Stratigraphic column of Block 8. Orinoco Oil Belt

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Currently Block 8 characterization is based on five (5) stratigraphic wells drilling

during exploration campaigns in the area; the first campaign between 1980-1983 well
MCH-7-19 was drilled, wells MCH-11-8, MCH-11-9, MCH-7-26 and MCH-7-27 were
drilled during the second campaign between 2007-2009.

Table 1 list the date of perforation and final depth for each one of wells belonging to
Block 8.

Table1. Block 8 wells.

Well Perforation Date Final Depth (TVD (ft))
MCH-7-19 10/05/1983 3837
MCH-11-8 11/05/2008 2248
MCH-11-9 12/01/2008 2570
MCH-7-26 03/16/2009 3100
MCH-7-27 04/09/2009 3640

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 5

Following information was captured during well perforation:

1 well with analysis from crude sample

3 wells with analysis from water sample

3 wells with side core samples

1 well with core sample

3 wells with check shots

4 wells with well testing

5 wells with conventional logs (Gamma ray, resistivity, neutron -density)

Figure 3 shows Block 8 map with the available information for each well and some
neighboring wells.

CHECKSHOT
WELL CORE
ELECTRIC LOGS
CRUDE SAMPLE
WATER SAMPLE
WELL TESTING (DST, MDT)
SIDE CORE SAMPLE
PRODUCTION TEST
WELL WITH NEW PIPE
GAS PRODUCTOR
CVP CAMPAIGN

Figure 3. Available Information for Block 8

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 6

 ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

Reservoir Properties and Features

Cretaceous and Oligomiocene are sequences that have more oil accumulations in Block
8. This study has special emphasis in Oligomiocene sequence (basal Chaguaramas,
Roblecito and La Pascua) which is the main objective to begin exploitation activities
around the middle of 2011.

Temperature Gradient Determination

To determine temperature gradient for Oligomiocene, data from wells MCH-11-9 and
MCH-7-26 was used. Temperature and depth were plotted (Figure 4) and linear
relationship was established in order to obtain a correlation coefficient.

Temperature (°F)
100.00 105.00 110.00 115.00 120.00 125.00 130.00
1000

1200

Correlation coefficient
1400
Depth (ft)

R2 = 0.6367
1600

1800

2000

2200

Figure 4. Temperature gradient for Oligomiocene. Block 8. Boyacá area

Figure above shows that there is not a unique tendency for determining the temperature
gradient in the area, as evidence by low correlation coefficient (R2=0.6367), this may be
due to errors in the equipment at time of measure or degree of saturation or changes in

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 7

the viscosity of fluids in the reservoir, but the trend shows a temperature gradient of
2.13 °F/100 feet.
Equation 1 represents temperature gradient for Oligomiocene of Block 8, Boyacá area.

T (°F) = 0.0213* Depth (sstvd, feet) + 80.687 Equation 1

Pressure Gradient Determination

Static pressure took along stratigraphic column of Oligomiocene sequence from wells
MCH-7-19, MCH-11-9 and MCH-7-26 was used to determine tend from pressure-depth
plot (figure 5). A high correlation coefficient is obtained and a unique tend is observed
which is indicative of the quality of information. The pressure gradient for Block 8 of
Boyacá area is 41.63 psia/100 feet.

Pr e s s ure (ps ia)

700 750 800 850 900 950 1000 1050
1200

1300

1400

1500
Depth (ft)

Correlation coefficient
1600

1700 R2 = 0.981

1800

1900

2000

Figure 5. Pressure gradient for Oligomiocene. Block 8. Boyacá area

Equation 2 represents pressure gradient for Oligomiocene of Block 8, Boyacá area.

P (psia) = 0.4163* Depth (sstvd,feet) + 202.25 Equation 2

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 8

PVT Analysis and Equation of State Characterization

At date there is not PVT analysis available for Block 8, however, the area corresponding
to Aguaro-Guariquito national park (15 Km from block 8) has two (2) wells to which
this studies are done, oil samples taken in these wells correspond to the sequence of
Cretaceous age, specifically Tigre Formation, in this study were discarded them because
we focused on Oligomiocene age sequence, so we proceeded to search in neighboring
blocks wells with PVT studies for the sequence of interest.

Well SDZ-184 belonging to Oligomiocene sequence of Junín area has a PVT study
which temperature and pressure are in the range of Block 8 of Boyacá and its API
gravity also , then the information related to the thermodynamic behavior of fluids for
Oligomiocene sequence for Block 8 of Boyacá area is taken from well SDZ-184. In this
well was taken eight (8) samples from the depth 1711,91 feet to 1725.16 feet. Where
sample # 1.42 was the most representative.

Table2 presents the conditions to which the fluid sample was taken and the values
measured in the laboratory when sample was opened.

Table 2. Data from PVT sample

Well Sampling Sample Sampling Reservoir Sample

Date Type Depth Temperature Temperature
(feet) (°F) (°F)
SDZ-184 11/09/1997 Bottom 1725,16 119 120
Well Sampling Reservoir Bubble point Rs laboratory Residual Oil
Date Pressure Pressure Sample °API
(psia) (psia) (pcn/bn)
11/09/1997 730 665 61 8,9

Table 3-8 list the fluids composition and PVT results for well SDZ-184 which
corresponds to sample # 1.42.[3]

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 9

 Table 3. Composition of Reservoir Fluids at 120 °F

Component Gas Liquid Total flow

% Molar % Molar % Molar
Nitrogen 0.207 0.000 0.040
Carbon Dioxide 5.838 0.060 1.210
Methane 93.230 0.350 18.920
Ethane 0.186 0.010 0.040
Propane 0.135 0.020 0.040
I-Butane 0.064 0.020 0.030
N-Butane 0.087 0.040 0.050
I-Pentane 0.055 0.050 0.050
N-Pentane 0.044 0.060 0.050
Hexane 0.074 0.260 0.230
Heptane 0.047 0.440 0.360
Octane 0.006 0.060 0.050
Nonane + 0.027 98.630 78.930
Total 100.000 100.000 100.000
Molecular weight C9+ 530.21
Specific gravity @ 60 °F 1.009

Table 4. Presure-Volumen relationship at 120°F

Pressure Relative Volume Y function Density

(psia) (gr/cc)
2000 0.9956 - 0.9699
1800 0.9961 - 0.9695
1600 0.9968 - 0.9688
1400 0.9973 - 0.9683
1200 0.9979 - 0.9677
1000 0.9986 - 0.9670
800 0.9993 - 0.9663
700 0.9998 - 0.9659
665 1.0000 - 0.9657
605 1.0201 4.9355
505 1.0664 4.7699
395 1.1440 4.7465
300 1.2647 4.5969
200 1.5158 4.5078
150 1.7710 4.4530

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 10

 Table 5. Oil Compressibility at 120°F

Pressure interval Compressibility 10-6

(psia) (vol/vol/lpca)
2000 1800 2.7
1800 1600 2.9
1600 1400 3.0
1400 1200 3.2
1200 1000 3.4
1000 800 3.8
800 700 4.4
700 665 4.9

Table 6. Differential Liberation at 120°F. Gas Phase

Pressure Bg Factor
(psia) (BBl/MPCN)
665 -
600 4.4399
450 6.0881
300 9.2677
150 19.0226
13 198.6500

Table 7. Differential Liberation at 120°F. Liquid Phase

Pressure Bo Factor
(psia) (BY/BN)
2000 1.0463
1800 1.0468
1600 1.0475
1400 1.0481
1200 1.0487
1000 1.0494
665 1.0509
600 1.0485
450 1.0463
300 1.0403
150 1.0333
15 1.0210

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 11

 Table 8. Viscosity at Different Temperature

Pressure Viscosity Viscosity Viscosity

(psia) @100°F (cp) @120°F (cp) @140°F (cp)
2000 8500 2268 1505
1600 7756 2085 1348
1200 7011 1898 1167
800 5945 1735 997
600 5541 1760 1061
400 5856 2100 1168
200 6888 2404 1288

The viscosity values reported in the PVT analysis of well SDZ-184 (Table 8)
correspond to the ranges applicable to this property in the Orinoco Oil Belt, as the
characterizations that currently are handled, so these data are considered representative.

Equation of State Adjustment

To reproduce the thermodynamic behavior of crude, a Peng –Robinson equation of state

(EOS) was used. This equation allowed reproducing PVT laboratory experiment as:
constant composition expansion, differential liberation, separator tests and oil viscosity
with an error percentage less than 2%.

EOS adjustment was carried out with CMG (Computer Modeling Group) tool called
Winprop, where all information about oil composition was loaded: components, mole
fraction, molecular weight and specific gravity of plus fraction (C9+) then a
decomposition of plus fraction was done in order to reduce uncertainty in process.
Twenty two (22) pseudo-components were the result of plus fraction decomposition.

For the first part of EOS adjustment the bubble point pressure was reproduced (Pb=665
psia). To achieve the objective was necessary to perform several iteration on
hydrocarbon interaction coefficient exponent parameter, activated temperature-dependent
volume shifts option and adjusted pressure and temperature critical of more weight pseudo
component using regression method. After of matching of bubble point pressure was done,
a lumping of plus fraction was necessary in order to reduce computer time, Whitson’s

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 12

schemes to lumping of pseudo-component[5] generated 5 groups, these groups are formed by
components with similar physical properties (table 9)

Table 9. Lumping of Oil Component. PVT SDZ-184

Molecular Weight
Group Components
gr/mol
1 181.953 C9-C13
2 265.492 C14-C19
3 387.385 C20-C27
4 565.243 C28-C29
5 824.76 C30+

Later each PVT experiments could be reproduced with Peng-Robinson EOS (1976) with
an error less than 2%. Figure 6-7 show the matching results to reproduce the Peng-
Robinson EOS.

70.0 1.20
60.0
1.15
50.0
FVF Oil (rb/stb)
Rs (scf/stb)

40.0
1.10
30.0
20.0 1.05
10.0
0.0 1.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
P re s i ó n (l pca )

S imu la t e d Rs (s c f/ s t b ) Exp e rime n t a l R s (s c f/ s t b )

S imu la t e d Bo (rb /s t b ) Exp e rime n t a l B o (rb / s t b )

Figure 6. Gas Solubility and FVF Oil Matching

With these results we have achieved EOS adjustment for the sample from the PVT
analysis of the SDZ-184 which represent the fluid in the Oligomiocene sequence for
Block 8 of Boyacá area. It was also necessary to reproduce the values reported by the

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 13

fluid viscosity of SDZ-184 well, this was achieved using Pedersen equation of which
reproduced these values with a low percentage of error.

1.00 1.20
Gas compressibility (psia-1)

1.00
0.95

FVF Gas (rcf/scf)

0.80

0.90 0.60

0.40
0.85
0.20

0.80 0.00
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
P re s i ó n (l pca )

Simu la te d Gas Co mp re s ib ility Exp e rime n ta l Ga s Co mp re s ib ility

Simu la te d FVF Ga s (rc f/s c f) Exp e rime n tal FVF Ga s (rc f/s c f)

Figure 7. Gas Compressibility and FVF Gas Matching

Figure 8 shows Pedersen equation matching for viscosity data from SDZ-184 well
report.

5 .0 0 E+ 3

4 .0 0 E+ 3
Oil Viscosity (cp)

3 .0 0 E+ 3

2 .0 0 E+ 3

1 .0 0 E+ 3

0 .0 0 E+ 0
0 5 00 1000 15 0 0 2000 2500
P re s s u re (ps ia )

S im u la t e d O il Vis c o s it y (c p )
Exp e rim e n t a l O il Vis c o s it y (c p )

Figure 8. Viscosity Matching SDZ-184 Well.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 14

Mainly the shape of the envelope or phase diagram generated by Peng Robinson EOS
shows a low content of light components in the fluid composition of Oligomiocene
sequence (figure 9). And reservoir pressure is near to saturation pressure.

P-T Diagram
1200

1000

Pres, Tres
Pressure (psia)

800

600

400

200
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
Tem perature (deg F)

Figure 9. Phase Diagram

Relative Permeabilities

Although in block 8 there are five (5) wells and one core was taken in well MCH-11-8,
the block has not special tests that include information about relative permeabilities.
Within Boyacá area, well MCH-12-11 belonging Block 6 has a special core analysis at
the Cretaceous which was discarded for this study because they are not in the sequence
of interest and permeabilities curves are not crossing in the graph water saturation
versus relative permeability, which was impossible to distinguish the wetting phase and
make the corresponding analysis. In order to generate relative permeability curves for
block 8 Frizzell[6] correlation was used.

Frizzell Correlations are shown below:

Sor= A(°API)+ B(°F)+C(Kw)+ E

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 15

Siw=A(°API)+ B(°F)+C(Kw)+ E
Ln(Ko@Siw)=A(°API)+B(°F)+C*Ln(Kw)+D(Siw)+E
Ln(Kw@Sor)= A(°API)+B(°F)+C*Ln(Kw)+D(Sor)+E
Ln(Kg@Sor)= A(°API)+B(°F)+C*Ln(Kw)+D*(Sor)+E

To use frizzle correlation was necessary to know °API crude, reservoir temperature and
water absolute permeability. Well MCH-7-19 has a crude analysis; in this test API
gravity for Oligomiocene has a value of 5.9. Figure 10-11 show curves obtained for
Block 8 from Frizzell correlations.

Relative Permeability Curve

Water-Oil. Block 8

1.00
Relative Permeability (fraction)

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20

0.00
0.0000 0.2000 0.4000 0.6000 0.8000 1.0000
W ate r Saturation (fracti on)

Kro Krw

Figure 10. Water-Oil Relative Permeability Curve for Block 8

Also with Frizzell correlation was possible determine key parameters for enhanced oil
recovery, necessary to heavy oil simulation as residual oil saturation to steam injection
for our study this value is 15.62%

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 16

 Relative Permeability Curve
Gas -Oil. B lock 8

1.00

Relative Permeability (fraction)

0.80

0.60

0.40

0.20

0.00
0.0000 0.2000 0.4000 0.6000 0.8000 1.0000
G as S a tu ra ti on (fra cti on )

Krg Krog

Figure 11. Gas-Oil Relative Permeability Curve for Block 8

Capillary Pressure

Block 8 of Boyacá shows reservoir limits given by the presence of water in different
area, as defined in the geological model, but capillary pressure was not considering due
to fluids that saturate the rock in this area have very similar densities, therefore this
property variation is very close to zero.

Rock Compressibility

Rock compressibility factor used for Block 8 was taken from geomechanical study
conducted by Conoco-Phillips called “Hamaca Rock Compressibility Study”[1] value is
8.23E-5 vol/vol/psi, a pressure reference 1500 psi, This same value has been used in the
Junín area reservoirs that extend to the Boyacá area.

Simulation Model

Initialization

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 17

The geological model exported to IMEX black oil simulator included the information
about structural model: top, base, faults, in addition to the petrophysical properties of
porosity, permeability and net to gross, which are representative of the Oligomiocene
sequence according to the latest interpretation used for reserve certification process.
Geological model consists of 185 cells in X direction, 45 cells in Y direction and 140
cells in Z direction, with dimensions of 200 meters in X and Y and 5 feet in Z direction.

In the model all the fluid properties previously calculated as Formation Volume Factor
of Oil, Formation Volume Factor of Gas, gas solubility, bubble point pressure, etc; are
used to estimate a Original Oil in Place (OOIP) of 28.055 MMMSTB and Original Gas
in Place (OGIP) of 1627.19 MMMSCF for Oligomiocene sequence.

Mid 2011, block 8 will begin production operations near the wells have been drilled in
the area, starting in the well MCH-7-19, production strategy was proposed based on
production schemes used in neighboring blocks, where horizontal wells are drilled,
using the concept of clusters. In Block 8 case will work with clusters of six (6)
horizontal wells with 500 meters of horizontal length and a well spacing of 300 meters
[1]
, these design specifications each cluster will cover an area of 2000 x 900 meter.
Figure 12 present cluster configuration to Block 8.

200 m 500 m 300 m 300 m 500 m 200 m

300 m

900 m
300 m

2000 m

Figure 12. Cluster Type Block 8. Boyacá Area

For the study of cold production and potential enhanced oil recovery technologies to be
applied in the block, an area near to MCH-7-19 well was taken; it will be called cluster
MO. A submodel to cluster MO was extracted from dynamic model created for
Oligomiocene sequence for which the cluster composed of six (6) horizontal wells was
represented. Figure 13 shows cluster MO representation and its location in the block.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 18

 Figure 13.Cluster MO Location within Block 8. Boyacá Area

For submodel of cluster MO was important to determine the degree of connectivity of

layers in order to determine the thickness whose connectivity guarantee necessary
conditions to implement enhanced recovery technologies for heavy oils. Vertical
connectivity was established for full field model and submodel by following premises
below[7]:

A cell is considered connected vertically when is active and connected above or

underneath with another active cell within the grid.

A cell is defined active when satisfied following petrophysical properties:
Porosity >20%
Vertical Permeability> 100 mD
Water Saturation < 50 %

Sums the net pay thicknesses of vertically connected cells gives back the total
value of the connected thickness.

Local connectivity ensures not only that the selected area is some how connected to the
rest of the reservoir but also guaranties an optimum vertical connectivity and excellent
petrophysical properties. Based on these criteria was possible to determine enhanced oil
recovery technologies to be applied in cluster MO.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 19

Determination of the optimum rate of production

In order to determine the optimum oil rate to maximize production in cluster MO, a
sensibility on oil rate parameters was done. Primarily, not establishing any control over
the maximum oil rate, so the cluster could show its full potential, later a constraint was
established, maximum oil rate per well of 200 stb/d, 400 stb/d and 600 stb/d was
defined to determine the optimum oil rate.

Figure 14 shows oil rate, cumulate oil and reservoir pressure behavior that the optimum
rate of production per well for cluster MO is 600 stb/d, since accumulated and pressure
decline are enough similar to the case no control production rate. The different between
them is 10 MSTB.

S e c t o r C lu s t e r M O

O il R a t e 2 0 0
O il R a t e 4 0 0
O il R a t e 6 0 0
O il R a t e n o c o n t r o l p ro d u c t io n
C u m u la ti ve O il 2 0 0
C u m u la ti ve O il 4 0 0
C u m u la ti ve O il 6 0 0
C u m u l a ti v e O i l n o c o n t r o l p r o d u c tio n

P R E S A v e r a g e R e s e r v o i r P r e s s u r e . C lu s t e r M O

P re ss ur e O il R a te 2 00
P re ss ur e O il R a te 4 00
P re ss ur e O il R a te 6 00
P re ss ur e Rat e n o c o n t ro l p r o d u c t io n

Figure 14 Oil Rate, Cumulate Oil and Reservoir Pressure Behavior

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 20

Cold Production. Uncertainties and Potential Evaluation

Currently in the block 8 all wells are closed to production and the information captured
in the five (5) drilled wells is not enough to determined fluids properties in the
reservoirs, a high uncertainties is handled, but we know for heavy oil production
determine parameters as: viscosity, temperature and API gravity are very important to
predict the production potential as cold as the enhanced recovery processes.

To determine the cold production potential to cluster MO, a probabilistic model was
done using as variables: oil viscosity and API gravity. Table 10 presents minimum and
maximum values for these variables

Table 10. Oil Viscosity and API Gravity Variability[3,4]

Pressure Minimum Viscosity Maximum Viscosity

(psia) (cp) (cp)
14.7 2953.00 18897.00
150 2546.00 16355.00
200 2404.00 15415.00
300 2205.00 13536.00
400 2100.00 11657.00
450 1965.00 10718.00
600 1760.00 7899.00
664.75 (Pb) 1671.51 6682.00
800 1778.58 6699.00
1000 1856.10 6760.00
1200 1933.62 6950.00
1400 2011.14 7235.00
1600 2088.66 7797.00
1800 2166.18 8359.00
2000 2243.70 8800.00
API 5 12

Forty scenarios using IMEX a CMG Tool, were designed to obtain oil cumulate in
twenty (20) years of production, and Monte Carlo simulation generated the probability
density function. Logistic function was the best fits the data and percentiles 10, 50 and
90 were determined.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 21

Figure 15 presents the results of simulations for cold production and percentiles 10,50
and 90 values.

Figure 15. Percentiles Values and oil cumulate by cases.

The results obtained in percentile 50 was chosen as base case to predict the behavior of
cold production of horizontal wells that belong to Cluster MO and also was the fluid
model used to perform the thermal simulations. With this scenario cluster MO will have
an initial production potential of 1200 stb/d during the first year of production and
350 stb/d at the end of 20 years of cold production; Cluster MO could accumulate
3.2 MMSTB of oil, 200 MSTB of water and 2.08 MMMSCF of associated gas (figure
16).

Within Cluster MO, well called Hori_3 was the well which presented the greatest
potential and higher cumulate oil, 520 stb/d and 600 MSTB respectively followed by
wells Hori_2 and Hori_3, these well were drilled in west side of cluster. Figure 17
presented rates and cumulate oil for each well in the cluster.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 22

 Figure 16. Oil, Gas and Water Cumulate of Cluster MO. Cold Production

Figure 17. Oil Rate and Cumulate Oil Well Belonging to Cluster MO

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 23

Screening of Technologies
According to geological and reservoir characteristics of blocks of Boyacá resulting from
previous studies[1] recommends the application of technologies in sequence form; i.e.,
cold production during 10 years approximately and during this period acquire sufficient
information to ensure the implementation of enhanced recovery technologies
successfully.

`To make viewing and /or selection of technology (screening) a workflow that involves
of the information associated with the geological description of the field is used, the
connection of the sands (vertical connectivity) and the collection of applicable
technologies to improved recovery and applicability parameters. In order to identify
those that might be applied within the block 8, particularly in the region of the reservoir
that represent the cluster MO. For screening, it was considered mature technologies or
commercial deployment phase. Visualization of technologies was conducted to
implement the integration of information from static model and management tools
provided by the package from CMG company. Figure 18 shows technologies can be
implemented in the cluster MO region and surrounding areas.

Figure 18. Screening of Technologies of Block 8

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 24

As shown in figure 18, the technologies can be implemented in cluster MO for
enhanced oil recovery are: cyclic steam injection, steamflooding and single well – steam
assisted gravity drainage (SW-SAGD).The criteria of each of these technologies are
presented in the table below (table 11)

Table 11. Technology Criteria of Enhanced Oil Technologies

Cyclic Steam Injection Steamflooding SW-SAGD

Viscosity
200-4000 < 1000 > 2000
(cp)
Oil Saturation 1200 (bbl/acre-pie) 1200-1700 (bbl/acre-pie) > 50 %
Net Pay Thickness
≥ 30 ≥ 30 > 20
(ft)
Permeability
1000-2000 1000-2000 1000
(mD)
Porosity
> 30 >30 >26
(%)
Depth
< 3000 < 3000 < 4600
(ft)

Cold Production Model Conversion to Thermal Production Model

In order to perform the thermal simulations, a conversion was performed from black oil
model into K-values and the runs were repeated to ensure that the models were
converted in an appropriate manner. These new model was used to perform the
technologies visualized with screening technique. Thermal properties used to perform
the simulations were calculated in previous studies[10] and more important values were
shown below (table 12)

Table 12. Thermal Properties

Thermal Properties
Rock Thermal Properties
Volumetric Heat Capacity 38.84 Btu/(ft3*°F)
Thermal Conductivity
Reservoir rock 40.49 Btu/(ft*day*°F)
Oil Phase 1.54 Btu/(ft*day*°F)
Solid Phase 40.49 Btu/(ft*day*°F)
Water Phase 8.64 Btu/(ft*day*°F)

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 25

To implant thermal oil recovery in Block 8 was decided that this should produce
without thermal stimulation during ten (10) years in order to collect more information
about structure, rock-fluid characterization, etc.

Application of Cyclic Steam Injection

To apply cyclic steam injection into cluster MO several parameters were considered,
each cyclic of CSI is formed by an injection, a soak and production periods. For each
one several iterations were established (table 13) in order to determine the cyclic who
obtain more cumulative oil. Three (3) cycles of CSI were defined considering the
damage of high temperature of steam injection could result in the casing. Also fracture
pressure was estimated with an empirical method where porous pressure and rock stress
were considered in order to avoid fracturing the formation. The range of fracture
pressure estimated for Oilgomiocene was about 900-1000 psi and vapor quality was
considered 0.9 for each cyclic and case.

Convert all wells within cluster MO to CSI was considered because of the impact that
decrease viscosity results in heavy oil production.

Table 13. CSI Sensitivities Parameters.

Steam Injection
Cases Injection Period Soak Period Production Period
Rate
(Ton/d) (days) (days) (days)
Case 1 150 20 10 150
Case 2 200 30 15 135
Case 3 250 45 15 120
Case 4 150 20 10 330
Case 5 200 30 15 315
Case 6 250 45 15 300

Case 3 (4.85 MMSTB, green line)) was better performance observed for CSI in terms of
cumulative production, compares to the cold production case (3.2 MMSTB, brown
line). CSI process will generate viscosity reductions because of oil being heated by
steam and its effects are better as injection cycles are more often. It is important to note
that low steam/oil ratios (0.15-0.38) were obtained in all the cases. This result suggests

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 26

excellent thermal efficiency in the process. Figure 19 shows results of different CSI
cases and the cold production.

Figure 19. Comparison of CSI Cases and Cold Production.

Application of Steamflooding

To study the effect of steamflooding techniques in block 8, two (2) scenarios were
planned.
First Case: convert to injector two (2) wells (Hor_1 and Hori_4) maintaining the steam
injection rate of the best case for CSI (250 ton/d) and bottom hole pressure of 800 psi.
Second Case: convert to injector four (4) wells (Hori_2, Hori_3, Hori_5 and Hori_6)
maintaining steam injection rate of 250 ton/d and bottom hole pressure of 800 psi.

For each scenario it could observed that steam front generated by injection wells is not
enough for heating the near-wellbore area of the producing well a. Steam front has a
heated radius approximately of 125 mts then well spacing between producing and
injector well should be less. Figure 20 shows cumulative oil and steam front ratio
generated for steamflooding cases.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 27

 Steamflooding Cases

First Case

125 mts
75 mts

2 injector well

Injector Well Productor Well

Second Case

125 mts

125 mts

4 injector well

Figure 20. Cumulative Oil and Steam Front for Steamflooding Cases.

For both cases, a reduction in oil production was observed respect to CSI cases, first
case 310 MSTB (red line) and second case 1.04 MMSTB (red line) less than CSI best
case (blue line), the reason for this reduction is the closure of two (2) producing wells
(first case) and four (4) producing wells (second case) in order to be converted to
injector wells for steamflooding.

Because of the results that we obtained a third case was defined. The third case consists
on drilling infill injector wells in order to heating the near-wellbore area and reducing
oil viscosity. Figure 21 show the results obtained in term of cumulate oil.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 28

Two (2) scenarios were performed for the third case; first we applied Steamflooding
after three CSI cycles. The second scenario of case three consisted on apply
steamflooding just after cold production (no considering CSI).

Figure 21. Comparison of Steamflooding Infill Case and Two Well Injector case

Drilling infill injector well could be a possibility to heating the near-wellbore area for
increase the oil production using steamflooding method. Also for this case injection
pressure of 800 psi was considered. The heated front reached the near-well area for all
the producing wells. The first scenario of the third case (red line) gave the following
result: 4.17 MMSTB more than the best case of CSI (blue line), however the second
scenario (green line) showed that we get even less production than the best CSI case, so
applying CSI to heat the near –wellbore area before steamflooding, create initial
condition that improve steamflooding response and oil recovery.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 29

Application of Single Well Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SW-SAGD)

For SW-SAGD technology an additional parameter was considered: injection branch

length which was simulated considering the following branch lengths, 250 mts, 200 mts,
150mts, 100mts and 50 mts. Bottom hole pressure of 800 psi and steam injection rate of
250 ton/d were set in order to determine the best injection branch length to apply
SW-SAGD process, in terms of cumulative production. For cluster MO zone, well
Hori_6 was chosen to simulate this process. Figure 22 shows the comparison between
all run cases.

Figure 22. Results of SW-SAGD Cases

As main result, the best injection branch length to apply SW-SAWD process was 100
mts (magenta line) in terms of cumulative oil; this length is enough to keep heated near
–wellbore area and improve oil production in comparison to the best CSI case (brown
line) and cold production (dark green line).

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 30

The simulation of this case confirmed that applying CSI just after cold production offers
the most favorable option to heat the near-wellbore area to create conditions that
improve initial response before apply any other thermal method. Figure 23 shows the
comparison of cumulative oil for SW-SAGD process applying CSI before of it (blue
line) and applying SW-SAGD just after cold production. Well Hori_6 increases its
production in 180 MSTB approximately if CSI method is applied before SW-SAGD.

Figure 23. Comparison of SW-SAGD with CSI and without CSI

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 31

 CONCLUSIONS

Pressure and temperature gradients for Oligomiocene sequence in Block 8 of

Boyacá area are 41.63 psia/100 ft and 2.13 °F/100 ft respectively.

Peng-Robinsong (1976) was the equation of state which best fitted the data from
SDZ-184 PVT results.

Pedersen equation matched the viscosity data from SDZ-184 PVT results.

The Original Oil in Place (OOIP) and Original Gas in Place (OGIP) for
Oligomiocene Sequence in the Block 8 of Boyacá area are 28.055 MMSTB and
1627.19 MMMSCF respectively.

The optimum oil rate for horizontal wells with cold production is 600 STB.

The probabilistic percentiles for cumulative oil are P10 = 1.72 MMSTB, P50=3.2
MMSTB and P90=3.9 MMSTB after 20 years of cold production.

The technologies than can be applied for cluster MO are: Cyclic Steam
Injection, Steamflooding and SW-SAGD.

Fracture pressure for Oligomiocene Sequence in the Block 8 of Boyacá area is
about 900-1000 psi.

The parameter for obtain the best result in term of cumulative oil for Cyclic
Steam Injection are: steam injection rate 250 ton/d, Injection period 45 days,
Soak period 15 days and producing period 120 days.

Low steam/oil ratios (015-0.38) were obtained in Cyclic Steam Injection.

To apply steamflooding in cluster MO with 300 mts of well spacing is necessary
drilling infill wells in order to heat the near wellbore area.

To apply SW-SAGD, the injection branch length to obtain a better performance
is 100 mts.

Applying CSI just after cold production offers the most favorable option to heat
the near-wellbore area to create conditions that improve initial response before
perform any other thermal method.

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 32

 RECOMMENDATIONS

Capture more information in order to reduce uncertainty in fluids

characterization. For example: sampling to PVT analysis, perform special
core analysis, geomechanical experiments, etc.

When designing the wells, take into account the long term will be candidates
for implementing enhanced recovery processes in order to use adequate
casings, cement, and other equipment in the well.

Determine the oil price to Block 8 segregation to perform the economic
study of technologies.

NOMENCLATURE

A, B, C, D = Coefficients that change for water, gas or steam.

°API = oil gravity by American Petroleum Institute method

CSI = cyclic steam injection

°F = Temperature in Fahrenheit degrees

Kw = absolute permeability to water

Ko@Siw = effective permeability to oil at irreducible water saturation

Kw@Sor = effective permeability to water at residual oil saturation

Kg@Sor = effective permeability to gas at residual oil saturation

Siw = irreducible water saturation

Sor = residual oil saturation

SW-SAGD = single well steam assisted gravity drainage

Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 33

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Castillo, Johaly Advanced Reservoir Characterization and Simulation 34