PETE 410

NATURAL GAS ENGINEERING

Ibrahim Kocabas
Petroleum Engineering Department
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Reservoir Engineering Reservoir Engineering
Learning Objectives of Lecture 5: Learning Objectives of Lecture 5:
MBE and its use for gas reservoirs
Plots for volumetric reservoirs
Plots for water drive
Over-pressured reservoirs Ove p essu ed ese vo s
Gas equivalent of produced condensate
MBE MBE
The Material-Balance Equation (MBE) The Material Balance Equation (MBE)
provides a simple, but effective, alternative to
volumetric methods for estimating
1. not only original gas in place
2. but also gas reserves at any stage of reservoir
depletion depletion.
The MBE is simply a statement of the
principle of conservation of mass or principle of conservation of mass, or
(original hydrocarbon mass)-(produced hydrocarbon mass) ( g y ) (p y )
=(remaining hydrocarbon mass).
MBE MBE
The MBE is derived as a volumetric balance based The MBE is derived as a volumetric balance based
on the simple assumption that the reservoir
volume, which is selected as the control volume,
i t t remains constant.
With thi ti th h i th l f With this assumption, the changes in the volume of
the constituents, namely solids, oil, water and gas
phases must be equal to zero at any time. p q y
(See appendix for derivation) pp
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :
The general MBE for dry and The general MBE for dry and
wet gas reservoirs (no oil phase g ( p
in the reservoir):
gi p g
GB G G B
(


( ) 0
(1 )
w wi f
e p w gi
wi
c S c
W W B GB p
S
+
+ A =

MBE
The volumetric methods can be used early
in a reservoir's life,
MBE can be applied until after some MBE can be applied until after some
development and production.
MBE
MBE can estimate only the gas volumes that are
in pressure communication with and that may
b lti t l d b th d i ll be ultimately recovered by the producing wells.
C l l i i b d Conversely, volumetric estimates are based on
the total gas volume in place, part of which may
not be recoverable with the existing wells not be recoverable with the existing wells
because of unidentified reservoir discontinuities
or heterogeneities. g
MBE MBE
Therefore comparisons of estimates fromboth Therefore, comparisons of estimates from both
methods can:
1 provide a qualitative measure of the degree of 1. provide a qualitative measure of the degree of
reservoir heterogeneity and
2. allow a more accurate assessment of gas 2. allow a more accurate assessment of gas
reserves for a given field-development strategy.
MBE MBE
Another advantage of MBE is that if sufficient Another advantage of MBE is that, if sufficient
production and pressure histories are available,
application of these methods can provide insight pp p g
into the predominant reservoir drive
mechanism,
Whereas the correct use of volumetric methods
requires a priori knowledge of the primary
source of reservoir energy.
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :
rearranging: rearranging:
( )
( )
g gi
w wi f
G B B
c S c
GB p W G B W B
+
+
A + = + ( )
(1 )
f
gi e p g p w
wi
GB p W G B W B
S
A + = +

Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :

For a volumetric reservoir with negligible
( ) G B B G B
rock and water expansion MBE reduces to:
( )
g gi p g
G B B G B =
( )
p g g gi
G B G B B =
Prediction plot #1
p g
G B
vs
( )
g gi
B B
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :
E ti ti l t Estimation plot
G
Slope=G
G
p
B B B
g
-B
gi
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : : Estimation of OGIP by MBE : :
Continue to manipulate: Continue to manipulate:
( )
p g g gi
G B G B B =
(1 )
gi
B
G G = (1 )
p
g
G G
B
=
Formation volume factor Formation volume factor
T
sc
g
p zT
B
T p
=
gi
Z
p
T
const B
|
.
|

\
|
= .
sc
T p
i
Z
. \
T
|
.
|

\
|
=
Z
p
T
const B
g
.
. \
Z
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :
Substituting Bg expressions into Substituting Bg expressions into
i i
B G B
(1 ) (1 )
gi p gi
p
g g
B G B
G G
B G B
= =
1
p p
i i
G G
P P P P P
z z G z z z G
| |
| |
= =
|
|
\ .
\ . i i i
z z G z z z G
\ .
\ .
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :
A th di ti Another predictive
and diagnostic plot
p
i i
i i
G
P P P
z z z G
=
P
vs
G
P
z
vs
p
G
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :
Can use for diagnosis as well as prediction and estimation Can use for diagnosis as well as prediction and estimation
P/z
Initial p/z
abandonment
Gp
G
Recovery factor=G
p
/G
Estimation of OGIP by MBE : Estimation of OGIP by MBE :
Note that this is an eq ilibri m eq ation It Note that this is an equilibrium equation. It
means that only final point on the curve are
important and not the path to reach that important and not the path to reach that
point
Therefore the same plot is also valid for Therefore, the same plot is also valid for
storage of the same gas. That means we can
determine how much we need to inject to j
raise the pressure to certain value.
How can you determine the reserves? Gpa ? y p
Diagnostic Plots: Water drive
reservoirs
Influence of water influx neglecting water
( ) G B B W G B W B + = +
Influence of water influx neglecting water
and rock effects:
( )
g gi e p g p w
G B B W G B W B + = +
( ) G B W B G B B W + + ( )
p g p w g gi e
G B W B G B B W + = +
p g p w
e e
G B W B
W W F
+
( ) ( )
p g p w
e e
g gi g gi g g
W W F
G G
B B B B E E
= + = +

p
F
vs t or G
Sh ld i h i t l
p
g
E
Should give a horizontal
line for zero We
Diagnostic Use of MBE Diagnostic Use of MBE
Diagnostic Use of MBE :Dry Gas Diagnostic Use of MBE :Dry Gas
Influence of water influx neglecting water
( ) G B W B G B B W + = +
Influence of water influx neglecting water
and rock effects:
( )
p g p w g gi e
G B W B G B B W + = +
( ( ))
gi e p w
G B W W B
G G

=
assume W
p
is negligible and rearrange again
p
g
G G
B
=
p
|
|
.
|

\
|

+ =
i
e
gi
e
gi p
B G
W
B
B
B G
W
B
B
G
G
1 1 1
|
.

\
gi g g g
B G B B G B G
Diagnostic Use of MBE :Dry Gas Diagnostic Use of MBE :Dry Gas
1
p
G
p
G
| |

|
\ .
1
i
e
z G
p
z
W
G B
|
\ .
=
| |

|
|
The quantity is actually that is the
gi
G B
|

\ .
gi
e
B G
W
HCPV
W
e
fraction of the HCPV that is invaded by the water (<=
1),
Note that if we do not account for We for a given Gp
gi
Note that if we do not account for We, for a given Gp,
p/z values will be high due to pressure support.
This shows that p/z vs Gp can also be used as a This shows that p/z vs Gp can also be used as a
diagnostic plot as follows.
Diagnostic Use of MBE
3
Diagnostic Use of MBE
Di ti f t f / l t Diagnostic features of p/z plot
Aquifer of
P/z
different strengths
Maximum
possible gas
recovery
Gp
recovery
Recovery factors with Water influx Recovery factors with Water influx
In the figure of p/z versus Gp/G : as the aquifer In the figure of p/z versus Gp/G : as the aquifer
strength increases, the ultimate gas recovery
(denoted by circle) decreases. Why? ( y ) y
In water-wet rock, water prefers smaller pores.
Gas in larger pores is bypassed due to this
capillary effect. S
gr
, which is typically quite
high (40-50%) high (40 50%).
Note: S
gr
is a capillary phenomenon, and it is
independent of reservoir pressure P. p p
Recovery factors with Water influx Recovery factors with Water influx
Comp ting the n mber of moles left behind Computing the number of moles left behind
(use real gas law):
T R n S
z
P
gr
=
z
P
n
and since when we have water influx p/z
i hi h h b f l f
z
z
remains high, the number of moles of gas
left behind is high.
Recovery factors with Water influx Recovery factors with Water influx
At b d t f b th l t i d At abandonment for both volumetric and
water drive reservoirs, the recovery factor
was:
Initial GIP Final GIP
Gas recovery factor=

gr
wc
Gas recovery factor
Initial GIP
S
(1-S )

ga
wc
B
(1-S )
gi
B
B
=
gi
B
Recovery factors with Water influx Recovery factors with Water influx
Wh th i t t i fl th When there is a strong water influx the pressure
remains essentially constant during the whole
process i e Bgi=Bga process i.e. Bgi Bga.
(1 S ) S
wc
wc
(1-S )
(1-S )
gr
S
GRF

=
You compare the recovery factors for any reservoir
d t data
Abnormally pressured reservoirs Abnormally pressured reservoirs
P/z
Abnormal pressure
This behaviour comes
about because of the
significance of pore g p
compression and fluid
expansion
Gp/G
p
MBE plots MBE plots
I fl f
( ) G B B +
Influence of pore
volume reduction and
connate water
( )
( )
(1 )
g gi
w wi f
gi p g
G B B
c S c
GB p G B
S
+
+
A =
connate water
expansion
(1 )
wi
S
1 ( )
(1 )
w wi f
g gi p g
i
c S c
G B B p G B
S
| |
(
+
A =
|
(
|

\ .
(1 )
wi
S

\ .
MBE plots MBE plots
I fl f Influence of pore
volume reduction and
connate water connate water
expansion
1 ( )
(1 )
w wi f
p g g gi
wi
c S c
G B G B B p
S
| |
(
+
= A
|
(
|

\ .
( )
wi
\ .
(
1 1 ( )
(1 )
p gi
w wi f
wi g
G B
c S c
p
G S B
(
+
= A
(

( )
wi g
Abnormally pressured reservoirs Abnormally pressured reservoirs
this material balance eq ation : this material balance equation :
( )
1 1
p gi
w wc f
G B
c S c P
| |
+ A
|
can also be written as:
( )
1 1
1
p gi
w wc f
wc g
G S B
=
|

\ .
( )
1 1
p
t
i
G
p p
c p
z z G
| |
A =
|
\ .
Where c
t
is the equivalent compressibility
accounting for water expansion and pore g p p
compression.
Abnormally pressured reservoirs Abnormally pressured reservoirs
Rearranging: Rearranging:
1 1
p
i
G
p p
c p
| |
A =
|
1 1
t
i
c p
z z G
A =
|
\ .
|
o
Plotting o vs. | gives slope =1/G and
o
Plotting o vs. | gives slope 1/G and
intercept = c
t
Gas Equivalent of produced condensate
for both dry and wet gases
G h i th i b t d t Gas phase in the reservoir, but condensates
observed at surface conditions
A
Reservoir
Surface
G
s1
G
s2
G
s3
Sep.1 Sep.2 Tank
B
Reservoir
condition
condition
C
N
p
Gas Equivalent of produced
condensate
G i l t l f N l l t d Gas equivalent volume of Np calculated
assuming ideal gas law. Lets find GE for 1
STB of oil only STB of oil only
1 62.4 *5.615 350.5
o o
mass of bbl oil = =
1
1
o
mass of bbl oil
bbl
=
350.5 1
1
o
o o
mass of bbl oil
n in bbl oil
M M

= =
350.5
133, 000
sc o sc o
sc o sc o
nRT RT
GE V
p M p M

= = = =
Gas Equivalent of produced
condensate
Th th t t l d d Then the total gas produced:
p s s s p
N GE G G G G + + + =
3 2 1
Similarly for water:
350.5 1 10.73 520
7390 /
18 14.7
sc
w
sc
nRT x x
GE x SCF surface barrel
P
= = =
sc
Appendix Derivation of MBE Appendix Derivation of MBE
The material balance equation is simpler to The material balance equation is simpler to
derive for a dry gas reservoir.
It is instructive to go through the derivation.
The constituents of the gas reservoir are,
Gas, water and rock. i.e no oil phase in the Gas, water and rock. i.e no oil phase in the
reservoir.
Volume changes of constituents Volume changes of constituents
Change in gas phase volume + Change in gas phase volume +
Change in water phase volume + g p
Change in solid phase volume = 0
Change in gas phase volume : Change in gas phase volume :
Initial reservoir
gas
gi
GB
(
=
(

SCF gas
SCF initial SCF produced
remained = -
gas gas
t & t
p
G G
(
( (
(
=
( (
(

(

at p& t

(

Change in reservoir
( )
gas volume
gi p g
GB G G B
(
=
(

Change in water phase volume : Change in water phase volume :
Initial reservoir
(
,
nitial ese voi
W
watervolume bbl
(
=
(

expansion
volume of
(
(
(
(
Remember compressibility
Eqns integration
,
f
reservoirvolume of initial
initial
initial water at p bbl amount due to
amount
p drop
(
(
(
(
(
= +
(
(
(

(
(


(1 )
,
w
reservoirvolume
W c p
initial water at p bbl
(
= + A
(

,
e
volumewater
W
encroached bbl
(
=
(

,
p w
Cumulative
W B
water produced bbl
(
=
(

Change in water phase volume : Change in water phase volume :
Re volume of Increase in duction in
( ( (
Re volume of Increase in duction in
reservoirvolume
water at p Volume of Volume of
initial water
in control Water due to water due to
at p bbl
( ( (
(
( ( (
(
( ( (
= +
(
( ( (
(
( ( (

,
inf
at p bbl
volume lux production
(
( ( (


(1 )
volume of
water at p
W c p W W B
(
(
(
= + A + (1 )
w e p w
W c p W W B
in control
volume
(
= + A +
(
(

Change in water phase volume : Change in water phase volume :
Ch i V l f t i th t l Change in Volume of water in the control
volume:
Ch i
(
(1 )
w e p w
Change in
W W c p W W B
watervolume
(
(
= + A +
(


Change in rock volume : Change in rock volume :
Change in the rock volume affects the Change in the rock volume affects the
pore space available for fluids to reside.
But we usually measure and use change But we usually measure and use change
in pore volume using the compressibility
equation:
Change in rock volume : Change in rock volume :
Th h h i l i Then the change in pore volume is
change in
(
f p
g
c V p
porevolume
(
= A
(

Change in rock volume is negative of
change in pore volume change in pore volume.
change in
c V p
(
= A
(
f p
c V p
rock volume
= A
(

Change in rock and water volume
combined:
Combining them results in:
Change inwater
(
(
e p w w f p
and W W B Wc p c V p
rock volume
(
= + A A
(
(

Change in rock and water volume
combined:
R i i th t
S
Recognizing that:
p wi
W V S =
Remembering that
(1 )
gi
p
i
GB
V
S
=
(1 )
wi
S
Change in rock and water volume
combined:
W b i We obtain
( )
w wi f
i
Change inwater
c S c
and W W B GB p
(
+
(
= + A
(
( )
(1 )
e p w gi
wi
and W W B GB p
S
rock volume
= + A
(

(

MBE : MBE :
Summing up changes in all of Summing up changes in all of
the constituents and equating q g
them to zero gives:
(
( ) 0
gi p g
w wi f
GB G G B
c S c
W W B GB
(


+
A ( ) 0
(1 )
w wi f
e p w gi
wi
W W B GB p
S
+ A =