Assessment of facies-related reservoir heterogeneity based on tracer studies

UDK: 622.276.1/.004.58+551.7.022

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2026-3-56-61

Key words: tracer studies, interwell tracer monitoring, reservoir connectivity, reservoir characteristics, inflow profile, digital field twin, smart field development, facies analysis, formation damage zones

Authors: V.A. Dekhtyarev (TatNIPIneft TATNEFT PJSC, RF, Almetyevsk); A.T. Zaripov (TatNIPIneft TATNEFT PJSC, RF, Almetyevsk); A.G. Kamyshnikov (TatNIPIneft TATNEFT PJSC, RF, Almetyevsk)

The paper presents systematic analysis of tracer study research method. The authors keep track of the progress of tracer monitoring from a tool for solution of local diagnostic problems to key element of comprehensive systems for production monitoring and management, integrated into the concept of digital field twins. The paper covers the main field applications of tracer technology, including evaluation of reservoir connectivity, optimization of waterflood systems, surveillance of enhanced oil recovery projects, and inflow profile monitoring. The relationship between reservoir facies heterogeneity and fluid (oil and water) flow pattern is examined in detail. Using the example of Bobrikovian formation of Sabanchinskoye field, confinement of formation damage zones to facies boundaries and spatial distribution of fracturing in terrigenous sediments are explained. It was proven that adequate description of reservoir fluid dynamics necessitates combination of lithological and facies models, rather than application of a lithological model alone. The conducted analysis provided the basis for the hypothesis describing fundamental principles for improvement of sweep and displacement efficiencies considering optimization of field development system, i.e. relative location of injection and production wells within each facies (geological body). The study also gives evidence of the processes of local fines migration and formation damage, which must be considered during field development. Tracer study became a critically important source of data for calibration of reservoir simulation models and support of real-time decision making within intelligent field concept. The research laid the foundations for application of facies-driven approach to interpretation of tracer data.

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