Probabilistic Reserves Estimation of Mara West Field, Maracaibo Basin, Venezuela: Case Study
Authors: Mata Tomas , Rojas Luis , Banerjee Salil , Camacho Mercedes 
Published: December 2007

Mara west field located onshore Lake Maracaibo in Western Venezuela, was discovered in 1951 by well DM-115. Other wells drilled afterwards showed rather goods productivity, but the economics and prevailing market conditions discouraged full field development. Initial reserves were estimated at 33 MMSTB, by volumetric calculation. Additional exploratory drilling in 1972 and improvements in oil prices allowed a development program consisting of 6 producers in a 600 acres areal span. Production reached 10 MSTB/D at the maximum field potential by 1974. Planned production rate could not be optimized because of the lack of sufficient information about the current resources (STOOIP) and reservoir heterogeneity. A multidisciplinary study was carried out to determine the upside potential of the field reserves.

Static and dynamic probabilistic approaches were used to estimate the reserves and identify the associated uncertainties. A Monte Carlo probabilistic approach combined with the new data from the updated geological and petrophysical models produced new STOOIP numbers, which were also estimated separately, by multiple material balance calculations using the system (matrix plus fracture) compressibility, as the variable with the most uncertainties. The study found new areas of additional development, that had no been explored. Drilling activities restarted in 1994 to tap these new opportunities with some success. The study is being continuously updated with the new data. Probable and possible reserves are currently being assessed to evaluate the merits for implementing an enhanced recovery process.

In view of high degrees of uncertainties associated with the reservoir variables, a deterministic approach of reserves calculation can never be counted as a truly unique solution. Therefore, dynamic and static probabilistic approaches provided more general and viable solutions by bracketing these solutions with associated risks.

Literature Survey

Numerous publications can be cited in the petroleum industry about, the various definitions, interpretations, techniques and applications of reserves calculations and terminologies. Only a few recent articles are referred here that pertain to the present case study.

The latest reserves definitions approved by the SPE Board of Directors on February 27, 1987 appeared as an official publication on October 1, 1988. The official SPE position on the definitions of "proved" and "unproved" reserves was summarized in this publication. The "unproved" reserves were further categorized as "probable" and "possible" reserves. The means of recovering reserves from the in-place hydrocarbons were also outlined, such as recovery by natural reservoir energy or improved recovery methods.

During the same year, 1987, the SPE approved the oil and gas reserves definitions, the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) approved the classification and the nomenclature for petroleum and petroleum reserves. Even though there was no coordination or discussion between the SPE and the WPC groups responsible for these efforts, the concepts and definitions in the two documents were very similar. Extensive research throughout all sectors of the oil industry in most of the oil producing countries went into both the SPE and WPC reserves definitions. Finally, the two organizations joined their efforts together to produce a single set of reserves definitions as a de facto standard for worldwide use in the petroleum industry. The result was a single set of reserves definitions drafted by the Task Force of Petroleum Reserves Definitions of both the organizations in 1997 with input from outside organizations, companies and individuals.

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