Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol.48, No.7, 30-39, 2009
Characterization of Fracture Network System of the Midale Field
Enhanced oil recovery from challenging/complex fields requires extensive analysis of reservoir structure and good understanding of the effect of this structure on the dynamics of the process. Naturally fractured reservoirs are good examples of this kind and their fracture network characterization is still a big challenge. In this study, we analyzed the fracture network system of a portion of the Midale Field, a naturally fractured carbonate reservoir in the Williston Basin of southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada. Our study aims at an extensive characterization of fracture and fracture network properties and construction of a reliable fracture network model for further use in assessing the oil recovery by CO(2) injection and CO(2) sequestration potential. We integrated static data such as cores, logs and well tests to build 3D discrete fracture network models. Stochastic numerical approach was applied using a commercial software package. A fracture network constructed from static data was calibrated using well test data. Several parameters were evaluated in sensitivity studies to determine those characteristics of the network which have higher influence on the reservoir performance. Simulated well test response was checked against previously published well test data. This study allowed us to recognize uncertainties in critical parameters and propose some measures to manage those uncertainties.