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PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION
Thirty-Third Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2009
INTEGRATED RESERVOIR STUDY AND SIMULATION WORKFLOW OF LOWER SIHAPAS
SANDSTONE IN KURAU FIELD, SUMATRA, INDONESIA
Tri Firmanto*
Iman Suripto Suyatno*
Ezzat Gomaa*
Jati Priyantoro*
Benny Sidik*
Andry Pujiriyanto*
ABSTRACT
This paper describes all best practices of successful
study with all G&G and engineering aspects
integrated into one workflow by one team. The
objective of this study is to build a complete
reservoir model from an integrated study involving
all aspects of engineering & G&G, such as data
review, G&G modeling, reservoir characterization,
reservoir modeling and prediction, in order to
optimize the development of Kurau Field. The
milestone starts from interpreting the 3D seismic
data, structural or zonation model, petrophysics
analysis, reservoir characterization, static modeling,
dynamic modeling, and proceeds until it reaches the
development and performance prediction of Kurau
Field.
More than just a simple model, Kurau reservoir
model resulted from all data and results from G&G
such as interpretation of 3D seismic, G&G
modeling (static model), environmental correction
for well logs from Petrophysical Software analysis
together with reservoir engineering works such as
rock and fluid properties analysis, rock
characterization and also production engineering
aspects. Geomodeling software was used to build
3D seismic to reservoir modeling, with additional
Simulation Software to complete the simulation.
The history matching analysis shows a satisfactory
level of production profile comparison results of
model performances with actual production data.
Several infill wells and even EOR potential can be
identified from this reservoir simulation model.
Using an integrated study workflow from G&G,
Petrophysic and Reservoir Engineering work had
greatly improved the reliability of this reservoir
model. Recently updated, those infill wells proved
* EMP - Malacca Strait
IPA09-E-079
Diana Ong*
Bondan Asmara*
Irvan Rahmawan*
Henry Septiawan*
Eppy Gustiawan*
Arif Wibowo*
able to yield an additional 1000 bopd to Kurau field,
as previously predicted.
An integrated study from Engineering & G&G
Department was required when we attempted to
build a reservoir model. Such a model can be used
to determine infill well potential, work over result
estimation and also the EOR project. Achieving an
increment of the oil recovery factor is the most
beneficial result from this reservoir simulation.
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, reservoir simulations play an important
role in the petroleum industry. Geological
modeling, reservoir characterization, well
performance analysis, infill well proposal and even
EOR methods simulation can be applied. While it
would seem to be more complicated than
conventional techniques, reservoir simulation can
on the other hand achieve or at least a yield
preliminary pictures of the entire reservoir. With so
many software releases available at present, the user
just picks whichever is most suitable, depending on
needs, compatibility with currently used software
and also, of course, on the budget. The important
rule to be borne in mind is that garbage in,
garbage out.
Kurau Field in the EMP-Malacca Strait has been
generated into a reservoir simulation. Within a 9
months integrated study, a team can achieve a
reliable reservoir simulation. Beginning with a 3D
seismic interpretation and then combining this with
a geological interpretation and reservoir
characterization, the team can also generate a
reasonable history matching. Geomodeling
Software and Simulation Software were exploited to
generate and run the model. Kurau Field itself has
never been modeled before. The structure was quite
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complicated. Even it was only from the Lower
Sihapas Formation, reservoir characterization plays
an important role when a model is built. The new
geophysics interpretation to define faults was
carried out. Further, sand correlation was involved,
along with reinterpretation due to new data from
previous infill wells.
Apart from the technical background, the choice of
the study team also becomes a critical decision. A
harmonious and conducive team was put together
when the study was initially launched.
METHODS
The Team
In the Kurau study, the important aspect from all of
the workflow is defining an appropriate and
comfortable team. Just like an asset team, this team
emerged from various specialties within G&G and
the Engineering Department. The team consisted of
geophysicists, geologists, petrophysicists, reservoir
engineers and production engineers. Each division
(for example for reservoir engineering) was
composed of a senior staff member and some junior
staff. This meant the study would provide support
and encouragement for junior staff and would also
signify new experience for senior staff to work with
junior staff from a variety of divisions. The study
team leader worked in cooperation with a co-team
leader. In the Kurau study, the team leader was
from Reservoir Engineering and the co-team leader
was from Geophysics. In addition to the team
assembled from G&G and the Engineering
Department, the study also included a Reservoir
Engineering consultant to assist in a quality check
of study results. The representative from the Board
of Directors and the Company also played an
important part in this study. The peer review &
technical meetings were held over a period of time
as well. This was very useful to obtain a matching
perspective, both from the team and its peers. Also,
the team conducted a technical meeting with a
government representative, BPMIGAS, for approval
of study results.
The Workflow
Figure 1 represents the workflow used for this
study. The study begins with a 3D seismic
geophysics re-interpretation, followed by a new
geological interpretation, with well and core data. A
petrophysicist also carried out a reservoir
characterization, collaborating with reservoir
engineers. A reservoir model was then built, with
support from Reservoir Simulation. After defining
several development cases for realization, the
economics of the project was evaluated. The drilling
operation became the next step of the workflow.
Then the circle came back to geophysics and
geological re-interpretation, due to the new data
input from infill wells.
a. Geophysical
After retrieval of high frequency restoration 3D
seismic data, Geophysics began to interpret and
carried out a seismic inversion. The
interpretation included structural and
stratigraphical factors. To obtain a velocity
model and depth horizon, the co-krigging
method was employed to process well markers
and sonic logs, along with seismic time
horizons and the stacking velocity. By inverting
the seismic amplitude data to conform acoustic
impedance (AI) properties, a better reservoir
model could be built after integrating well log
data into seismic. Geophysics also performed a
correlation between seismic attributes and
porosity to get the preliminary trend and
characteristic of sand in the Kurau Field. Figure
2 shows the 3D PSTM volume in this study.
b. Geological
The geological-reservoir study of the Kurau
field was conducted by reviewing all available
data, such as several seismic lines, well logs,
structural cross sections and depth structure
maps of the Lower Sihapas Formation.
Additional information, such as conventional
core and side wall core descriptions, evaluation
of micropaleontology palynology and a study
of the depositional environment (including
sand-shale distribution and lithofacies
identification) defined the geological and
depositional model of the Lower Sihapas
Formation around the Kurau Field. The original
amount of oil in place at the Kurau field was
estimated using volumetric method
hydrocarbon pore volume maps. Proven oil in
place was estimated based on the reservoir
closure confined by the original oil water
contact (OWC).
c. Petrophysical
Petrophysical analysis was run to obtain
reservoir properties such as porosity, water
saturation, clay volume and permeability from
well log data. Validation of well log data and
environmental correction has been carried out
before doing petrophysical analysis. This
petrophysical analysis result was then checked
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against available core data. Having these
reservoir properties and core description, the
lithofacies classification was defined, together
with the geologist.
d. Reservoir Engineering
The static model from the G&G side has been
created. The reservoir engineer is responsible
for creating the dynamic model of the field with
a reservoir simulation. A geomodeling software
reservoir simulator is used to build the model
from seismic interpretation, preceding the field
performance prediction. Routine and SCAL
data have been processed to get relative
permeability for each facies, connate water
saturation transform, permeability transform,
transition zone analysis and also J-function
analysis with additional data and interpretation
the from G&G side. All of these rock
properties, along with the PVT analysis, are
then input to Geomodeling software as reservoir
properties.
e. Reservoir Simulation
The simulation begins with input of horizon
data from geophysics, while well information
such as well deviation, well markers, well logs,
and well production are also prepared.
Combining all of the G&G parts, the static
model was created. When defining the static
model, the reservoir characterization from
petrophysics and reservoir engineer analysis
support fashions a home for a reservoir.
Geostatistic analysis also serves to distribute the
properties, guided by seismic attributes and core
data. Then the upscaling process for all
properties is enacted. Reservoir engineering
then inputs the results from SCAL data (relative
permeability & capillary pressure), reservoir
fluid analysis and other engineering data to
create the dynamic model. Well history
becomes an important part for the next step.
This is why in the team there is also a
production engineer to perform a quality check
on the model. After the coarse grid is
completed, the history matching begins. The
model has 5 flow units, 34 wells in 750,000
cells. The history matching process takes 2
weeks to obtain satisfying results, with 30 times
run. The liquid rate control was used in this
process. The realization for the models defined
the G&G data with analyses such as sand to
sand correlation, fault interpretation and
channel identifying. Figure 3 and 4 display an
example of fine grid and coarse grid.
f. Development Scenario Evaluation
The history matching for Kurau Field reveals
acceptable matching for oil production and
water cut. This becomes an important point
before the next step: forecasting. Base case
forecasting (as it is) was implemented to secure
a base line for the development strategy. Then
infill wells potential were analyzed. This
signifies that the development scenarios will
achieve additional recovery not just
acceleration. Ten points of location were
identified, five of which were scheduled to be
drilled first. From these infill wells, it was
expected that there would be an additional five
percent of additional oil recovery compared to
the base case scenario. An EOR potential also
can be seen from this model. The sweep spots
can be identified and modeled with the
simulation.
g. Updating the Model
Throughout 2008 five infill wells proposed
from the study were drilled. From this drilling
operation additional data of Kurau Field were
secured. The actual well information, such as
well tops, sand to sand correlation and pressure
data were then gathered to update the model.
Re-interpretation of seismic means Geophysics
may reselect the new horizon of sand tops. Re-
interpretation of sand correlation & faults also
has to be performed. Finally, a re-history
matching process will complete the updating of
the model. All of that works will be objectives
for the Kurau Integrated Study 2009.
RESULTS
The completed model of Kurau Field has delivered
proof of the quality from five infill wells. The
increase of oil recovery becomes an actual result
from this integrated study. Initial oil production for
infill wells matches with the previous prediction. A
total additional 1000 bopd from five infill wells
proved the model was reliable. Of course, there
were some adjustments needed according to the
actual geological and engineering data received.
The depth shifted for well tops, sand correlation and
flow unit pressure are examples.
The Kurau model was also used to predict the work
over or well service scenario, such as rezoning, and
to define a few cases that would serve to estimate
results. From this model the pressure maintenance
program and even Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)
candidates can also be simulated.
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CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study can be summarized as
follows:
1. All aspects of G&G and engineering must be
involved in the integrated reservoir study.
2. Reservoir simulation can be used for new
development fields or mature fields such as
Kurau Field.
3. A reservoir simulation model can be useful in
determining the development scenario,
production enhancement program and also the
long-term plan for a field.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors greatly acknowledge the help and
support from Kurau Team 2007. The authors also
convey sincere thanks to EMP Malacca Strait for
permission to publish this paper.
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Figure 1 - The workflow for study. The workflow starts from geophysics interpretation, geological model,
petrophysical analysis, reservoir characterization, reservoir simulation, development strategy
until economic evaluation and execution. The circle then back to geophysical part indicate that
the study will always being updated.

Figure 2 - 3D PSTM volume use in Kurau Study.

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Figure 3 - Fine grid for Kurau structure . In the picture the facies definition distributed for entire of cells.

Figure 4 - Hydrocarbon ditribution coarse grid for Kurau structure.