Water Coning Prediction Review and Control: Developing an Integrated Approach
Anietie N. Okon *
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Dulu Appah
Department of Gas Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Julius U. Akpabio
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In petroleum industry, oil production strategy to circumvent water coning in reservoirs with strong water drive is quit challenging. To ameliorate this oil production related problem, several water coning prediction models and control approaches have been developed by researchers. The prediction approaches include analytical, empirical and numerical approach. The analytical and empirical prediction approaches are qualitative water coning prediction approach with limited field scale application. However, these approaches model predictions can again field application if upscale. Numerical approach has provided the fulcrum to study the complexity of water coning phenomenon in bottom-water drive reservoirs, and its prediction and sensitivity results have found wide field application. In addition, the various developed water coning control methods: downhole oil-water separation (DOWS), downhole water sink (DWS), downhole water loop (DWL), among others have proved to be effective, as it reduces the water-cut, produced water and water handling problem at the surface during hydrocarbon production. However, the challenge of producing the bypassed oil in the reservoir remains unattended with these coning control methods. Also, even as effective as these water coning control methods may seems, they have their drawbacks that limit their application in certain reservoirs. Therefore, developing integrated approach that is adaptive to control water coning and produce bypassed oil in bottom-water drive reservoirs is important to the oil and gas industry.
Keywords: Water coning, water drive reservoir, coning prediction approach, coning control methods, total penetration, water shut-off, horizontal well, downhole water sink, downhole water loop, Integrated approach.