Reservoir Modeling of Heavy Oil Resources - HORM

Program Overview

This program teaches petroleum engineers how to perform successful heavy oil simulation studies by covering topics such as reservoir engineering, heavy oil properties, thermal and non-thermal recovery techniques, and model design principles. Participants learn how to select modeling types, gather data, build and test models, and assess study results. The emphasis is on understanding modeling fundamentals rather than specific software details, and the target audience includes engineers actively involved in heavy oil study execution and assessment.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Introduction: Definitions of heavy oil, types of study, types of modeling, design of study, grid effects, binary screening.
• Rock and fluid data for heavy oil: Oil viscosity, thermal properties of reservoir, temperature dependence of relative permeability, etc.
• Non-thermal recovery of heavy oil: Cold heavy oil production with sand, chemical flooding, VAPEX, immiscible gas flooding.
• Thermal recovery using steam: Cyclic steam stimulation, steamflood, steam-assisted gravity drainage.
• Thermal recovery without steam: In-situ combustion, electrical heating, hot water flood, steam with additives.
• The only software required is a spreadsheet and text editor for the exercises.

Other:

• The emphasis of the course is on HOW to perform a successful heavy oil simulation study, including factors to be considered, pitfalls to avoid, testing of models, examination of output, and ensuring results are reliable.
• Examples from the literature, conceptual models, and class exercises are used to illustrate various points, as well as highlight the uncertainties and limitations of current knowledge and technology.
• Target Audience: Petroleum and reservoir engineers who will be actively working on studies, and be involved in assessing the results of studies.
• Participants will learn how to:
• Select the type of modeling required to meet the aims of the study
• Design different types of modeling studies to achieve the aims of the study (feasibility, operating strategy, development plan, ultimate recovery, etc.)
• Collect and select the data for the study
• Incorporate field observations into the study (production data, pressure data, 4D seismic, observation well data)
• Set up, run, and test the model(s)
• Assess the adequacy of the history match(es)
• Create and run different development options and assess the results
• Assess the results of third party studies (in-house or external)