Oil Recovery and Simulation in Reservoir Engineering

Dear colleagues,

The purpose of oil recovery management is to provide facts, information, and knowledge necessary to control operations at appropriate times and to obtain the maximum possible economic recovery in an environmentally safe manner. Guidelines for oil recovery management should include information on (1) reservoir characterization, (2) estimation of pay areas containing recoverable oil, (3) analysis of pattern performance, data gathering and analytics, (4) well testing and reservoir pressure monitoring, and (5) an information database.

A reservoir description is the foundation for designing, operating, and evaluating an oil recovery project. It largely determines the selection of an oil recovery plan and the simulation model used to estimate project performance. The development of a reservoir description, which requires extensive human and computer resources, should start early in the life of a reservoir. It is important to remember that a reservoir description is an iterative process. Every description requires the modification of interactions between geologists, geophysicists and engineers working the field matures.

A reservoir model is not just an engineering or a geoscience model; rather, it is an integrated model that is prepared jointly by geoscientists and engineers. An integrated reservoir model requires a thorough knowledge of the geology, rock and fluid properties. A geological model is derived by extending localized core and log measurements and well tests to the full reservoir using many technologies such as geophysics and depositional environment. The definition of geological units and their continuity and compartmentalization is an integral part of geostatistical and, ultimately, reservoir simulation models.

An integrated team approach involving geoscience and engineering professionals, oil recovery research scientists, field personnel and management is essential for oil recovery asset management. Efficient and successful operations require the following:

1. Essential lab research and data gathering;
2. Developing a robust pilot program to test the oil recovery process;
3. Simulation and scale-up at field level;
4. Engineering an economically viable plan;
5. Implementing the plan;
6. Monitoring and evaluating performance;
7. Revising plans and strategies, including AI and Machine Learning, fluid flow and recovery mechanisms, drilling and well completions, and past production performance.

This Special Issue presents and disseminates the most recent advances related to the theory, design, modeling and simulation, application, control, and surveillance and monitoring of most commonly applicable recovery processes, e.g., secondary recovery using water and/gas injection, CO₂ injection, WAG process, steam flooding, and other techniques.

Prof. Dr. Ganesh Thakur
Guest Editor

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