Innovative Approach to Unlock the True Potential of an Oil and Gas Reservoir
Authors: Al-Bahar Mohammad A. , Bora Anup 
Published: November 2016

Two of the key objectives of KOC's 2030 strategy are to "Maximize the Strategic Value from Oil and Gas Reserves for a Sustainable Future" by optimizing and promoting a portfolio of hydrocarbon resources that supports & sustains growth through aggressive onshore & offshore exploration, new acquisitions, and the application of appropriate reservoir management practices. These are challenging objective that prompted the company to develop a new innovative approach for unlocking the true potential of the hydrocarbon resources in Kuwait Oil Company. One of the initiatives was to technically review the long-term producible hydrocarbon volumes potential from KOC reservoirs by assuming best industry practices and innovative use of existing, developing, and assume future technologies.

A complete review of all KOC reservoirs was carried out to produce unrestricted ultimate reserves estimates driven by planning requirements rather than by asset valuation or fiduciary considerations. The guiding principle for the review was predisposed towards the elimination of any elements of conservatism in the existing analysis and identification of any possible additional upside potential that may have been overlooked.

A structured process was developed for both Hydrocarbon In-Place and Ultimate Recoverable resources estimations to unlock the hydrocarbon potential in KOC. A critical review of geostatic models and petro-technical parameters was carried out as a basis for estimation of hydrocarbon volumes initially in-place. Seismic interpretation, core description, petro-physical interpretations, and routine and special core analysis data were used in conjunction with reviewed geologic models to estimate hydrocarbon volumes. Probabilistic methods were used to assess the potential hydrocarbon volumes initially in-place based on the fundamental petro-technical analyses.

A catalogue of any constraints introduced into previous dynamic modeling processes was compiled to serve as a guide for identification of potential recoverable volumes realized by the elimination of the constraints. A review aimed at the optimization of the reservoir development plans was carried out to identify any additional potential recovery by improvement of development activities currently underway in the study reservoirs. A consideration of applicable EOR options for the reservoir was undertaken to estimate potential recovery beyond the application of primary and secondary recovery processes. Potential benefits from the application of future technologies were estimated based on assumed improvements in displacement efficiency due to application of technologies yet to be developed.

A liberal and long term view was adopted for development of very large highly-economic resource base and long development timescales involved in Kuwait. The forecast also included a specific study what we termed as "end-of-life" (EOL) to fully extend production of the maximum hydrocarbon recovery from each reservoirs.

The results of the study has shown a number of promising results and given a push for additional activities in matured reservoirs of the company. A new strategy and work plan have been embarked upon to capture these future potentials in a timely manner. This paper describes the workflow and methodologies that have been used for completing the study.