High Resolution Reservoir Characterization and Modeling for Surfactant and Polymer Injection in an Eolian System (Avilé Member, Puesto Hernandez, Neuquén Basin)

ARGÜELLO SCOTTI, AGUSTÍN; MARTINO, L.; DEL VALLE GEORGIADES, D.; THOMANN, M.M.; BARROS ARROYO, P.; VEIGA, GONZALO D.

Buenos Aires

Conferencia; AAPG International Conference and Exhibition 2019; 2019

AAPG

Potential for EOR development within the historically prolific Avilé Member in the Puesto Hernandez (PH) field, implied high-resolution 3D field-scale static-dynamic modeling, to provide a business case for SP flooding. The Avilé Mb. in this area is dominated by eolian sandstone facies of good reservoir quality (30 to 400mD). The combination of petrophysical properties, light oil (2 cP) and 30 years of waterflooding with a RF of 50%, represents a promising opportunity to chemically recover the remaining oil. Outcrop and subsurface evidence document sequence-stratigraphic complexity, important thickness variations and preservation of dune topography in the study unit. This indicates the combination of different preservation conditions and potential shifts in system humidity, which result in relevant rock heterogeneity in the reservoir. These features make this unit a remarkable case-study for modeling eolian systems. The aim of this study is to provide a model that captures this complex and heterogeneous reservoir architecture, critical to obtain a reliable representation of rock/fluid interactions for expensive surfactant injection. A core-calibrated modeling workflow was successful in capturing detailed geometries of the aeolian system, facies, rock types and corresponding flow units. Division of two zones, based on eolian record preservation conditions, was effective to provide rock type and petrophysical modeling that honored geological concepts. Dynamic history matching was used to validate the fittest geological scenarios and to forecast production and reserves within a chemical flood simulator, identifying significant hydrocarbon movable volumes. As a consequence, a surfactant polymer pilot is currently being designed to be implemented during the year 2020. Its success can lead to the extension of this methodology to other mature fields analogous to PH.