UNIVERSITAS ISLAM RIAU

DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

Undergraduates Comprehensive Examinations Questions

2017

Examination Procedure
1. Students randomly pick 5 question cards from Reservoir Topic and another 5
question cards from Drilling, Production, & Oil-Gas Management Topic.
2. Students need to answer all of 10 questions correctly and satisfy the examiner
in order to pass the comprehensive exam.
3. Students will be given 30-45 minutes to answer all of picked questions.
4. The result announcement will be given at the end of day of the test.
5. Students can only take the twice in one period. If fail, students need to wait for 3
month before retake the comprehensive exam again.

Questions
I. Reservoir Topic Questions
1. Most petroleum geologists believe that petroleum forms from the diagenesis of
buried organic matter and note that it is indigenous to sedimentary rocks rather
than igneous ones. The advent of cheap and accurate chemical analytical
techniques allowed petroleum source rocks to be studied. It is now possible to
match petroleum with its parent shale and to identify potential source rocks,
their tendency to generate oil or gas, and their level of thermal maturation. For
a commercial oil accumulation to occur, several conditions must be
fulfilled. What are those? (Selley & Sonnenberg, Elements of Petroleum
Geology,2014-Chapter 1)
2. The petroleum system is defined as a hydrocarbon fluid system that
encompasses a pod of active source rock and all related oil and gas
accumulations (Magoon and Dow, 2000). It includes the essential elements and
processes needed for oil and gas accumulations to exist. Understanding
petroleum systems reduces exploration risk in the search for undiscovered
petroleum resources. Name/list the essential elements and processes
needed for hydrocarbon accumulations to exist! (Selley & Sonnenberg,
Elements of Petroleum Geology,2014-Chapter 5.5)
3. Well logs are a record versus depth of some physical parameter of the
formation. The parameters will be measured so that important producing
characteristics of reservoir may be determined. What are the measured
physical parameters and the characteristics that will be determined in the
well logging process? (William Lyons Working Guide to Res
Engineering,2009)
4. Petroleum reservoirs are broadly classified as oil or gas reservoirs. These broad
classifications are further subdivided depending on (1) the composition of the
 reservoir hydrocarbon mixture, (2) initial reservoir pressure and temperature,
(3) pressure and temperature of the surface production. The conditions under
which these phases exist are a matter of considerable practical importance. The
experimental or the mathematical determinations of these conditions are
conveniently expressed in different types of diagrams. What are these
diagrams called? Describe the diagrams for all types of reservoirs.
Identify and define each components of the diagram. (Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed
chapter 1)
5. Rock properties are determined by performing laboratory analyses on cores
from the reservoir to be evaluated. The cores are removed from the reservoir
environment, with subsequent changes in the core bulk volume, pore volume,
reservoir fluid saturations, and, sometimes, formation wettability. The effect of
these changes on rock properties may range from negligible to substantial,
depending on characteristics of the formation and property of interest, and
should be evaluated in the testing program. There are basically two main
categories of core analysis tests that are performed on core samples regarding
physical properties of reservoir rocks. What are those tests called? Identify
and define each rock properties on those tests. (Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed
chapter 4)
6. Flow in porous media is a very complex phenomenon and as such cannot be
described as explicitly as flow through pipes or conduits. The analysis of fluid
flow in porous media has evolved throughout the years along two fronts the
experimental and the analytical. Through those methods, scientists have
attempted to formulate laws and correlations that can be utilized to describe the
flow behavior of the reservoir fluids. Those laws and correlations are forms in
the mathematical relationships. The mathematical forms will vary depending
upon the characteristics of the reservoir. The primary reservoir characteristics
that must be considered include: (a) Types of fluids in the reservoir (b) Flow
regimes (c) Reservoir geometry (d) Number of flowing fluids in the reservoir.
Please describe each of these component briefly. (Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed
chapter 6)
7. The fundamental law of fluid motion in porous media is Darcys Law. The
mathematical expression developed by Henry Darcy in 1856 states the velocity
of a homogeneous fluid in a porous medium is proportional to the pressure
gradient and inversely proportional to the fluid viscosity. For a horizontal linear
system, this relationship is:

= = , Explain each component of this equation (with its unit).
What is the equation for a horizontal-radial system? What are the pre-
conditions to use for Darcys law? (Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed)
8. Coning is primarily the result of movement of reservoir fluids in the direction of
least resistance, balanced by a tendency of the fluids to maintain gravity
equilibrium. Production from the well would create pressure gradients that tend
to lower the gas-oil contact and elevate the water-oil contact in the immediate
vicinity of the well. There are essentially three forces that may affect fluid flow
distributions around the well bores. These are capillary forces, gravity forces,
and viscous forces. Please explain each of these forces and identify the
relation of these forces with the concepts of stable/unstable cone and
critical production rate. (Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed)
9. Defining the conditions for achieving the maximum water-free and/or gas-free
oil production rate is a difficult problem to solve. Engineers are frequently faced
with these two specific problems;(a) Predicting the maximum flow rate that can
be assigned to a completed well without the simultaneous production of water
and/or free-gas (b) Defining the optimum length and position of the interval to
be perforated in a well in order to obtain the maximum water and gas-free
production rate. For those problems, there are three categories of correlation
that are used. What are they? (Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed)
10. The material balance equation has long been recognized as one of the basic
tools of reservoir engineers for interpreting and predicting reservoir
performance. The concept of the material balance equation was presented by
Schilthuis in 1941. The equation is structured to simply keep inventory of all
materials entering, leaving, and accumulating in the reservoir. The equation can
be written on a volumetric basic as: Initial volume = volume remaining + volume
removed. Please explain/derive further for each component of this
equation. (Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed)
11. The reservoir engineers are involved in working with an integrated team of
geologists, geophysicists, petrophysicists, and engineers from other disciplines.
These team, called reservoir team, is responsible for achieving goals set out by
the management that may include field development and production
enhancement. Describe briefly about the tasks/priorities related to the
goals for reservoir team. State at least 4 of them. (Reservoir engineers
functions-Abdus Satter)
12. Waterflooding is perhaps the most common method of secondary recovery.
However, before undertaking a secondary recovery project, it should be clearly
proven that the natural recovery processes are insufficient; otherwise there is a
risk that the substantial capital investment required for a secondary recovery
project may be wasted. Thomas, Mahoney, and Winter (1989) pointed out that
in determining the suitability of a candidate reservoir for waterflooding, several
reservoir characteristics should be considered. What are they? Explain briefly
for each characteristics.(Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed)
13. Buckley and Leverett (1942) developed a well-established theory, called the
frontal displacement theory, which provides the basis for establishing such a
relationship. This classic theory consists of two equations; a) Fractional flow
equation b) Frontal advance equation. Please write the equations and
explain briefly. State what are the main purpose of those two
equations.(Tarek Ahmed 4th Ed)
14. Volumetric estimate of original gas in place for gas reservoir A was 100 Bscf. A
material-balance estimate, using a p/z plot, was 50 Bscf. Which of the
following statements is most likely true? Explain your answer.
a. One or more producing wells intended to produce from Reservoir
A is probably completed by mistake in another non-
communicating reservoir.
b. Some of the mapped gas may not be in pressure communication
with the producing wells.
c. The estimate based on the p/z plot cannot possibly be correct.
d. The reservoir almost certainly has water influx.
15. A pressure buildup test is run on a well producing dry gas. Current average
reservoir pressure is about 3,012 psia and the following bottomhole pressure at
the time of shut-in was 1,126 psia. Which of the following statements about
 analyzing the test data using a semi-log method is most accurate? Explain
your answer.
a. A Horner plot of Pws vs. Horner time ratio will be required.
b. A Horner plot of Pws2 vs. Horner time ratio will be required.
c. Bottomhole pressure must be converted to pseudopressure and
then a Horner plot of pseudopressure vs. Horner time ratio will be
required.
d. Semi-log analysis cannot succeed for analysis of a gas-well
pressure buildup test.
16. The spontaneous potential (SP) curve and the gamma ray (GR) log are
recordings of naturally occurring physical phenomena in in-situ rocks. The SP
curve records the electrical potential (voltage) produced by the interaction of
formation connate water, conductive drilling fluid, and certain ion-selective
rocks (shale). The GR log indicates the natural radioactivity of the formations.
What are the main functions of those two log? Explain how we analyze
the logs curve/result! (Schlumberger Log Interpretation Principles)
17. The use of reservoir simulation as a predictive tool is becoming standard in the
petroleum industry. Its widespread acceptance can be attributed to advances
in computing facilities; advances in numerical techniques for solving partial-
differential equations; the generality built into reservoir simulators, which makes
them useful in modeling field cases; advances in reservoir-characterization
techniques; and the development of increasingly complicated oil-recovery
techniques that would otherwise be impossible to analyze. Reservoir simulation
is generally performed in several steps. What are the steps? Explain the
steps briefly (T. Ertekin Basic Applied Reservoir Simulation)
18. Volumetric estimation of the original oil and gas in place (OOIP, OGIP) is the
first and foremost reservoir engineering function. A wide variety of data is
needed to accurately determine the original oil/gas in place, including geologic,
geophysical, petrophysical, and reservoir rock and fluid data. There are two
methods used to calculate the original oil/gas in place. What are they? Explain
in detail.
19. Decline curve analysis technique are used to evaluate reserves annually. When
sufficient production data is available and production is declining, the past
production curves of individual wells by lease or of the field as a whole can be
extended to an economic rate. There are several types of decline curve
technique used for analysis/forecast the production. What are those? What
type of plots are used to analysis the technique? Explain briefly.
20. Nearly all hydrocarbon reservoirs are surrounded by water-bearing rocks called
aquifers. Hydrocarbon production from the reservoir and the subsequent
pressure drop prompt a response from the aquifer to offset the pressure decline.
Based on several criteria, aquifers can be classified on the basis of a)Degree
of pressure maintenance b)Outer boundary conditions c)Flow regimes d)Flow
geometries. Explain each of these basis. (Tarek Ahmed-Reservoir Eng
Handbook 4th Ed)
21. Each type of logging tool has special formation evaluation applications. Which
of the following statements is FALSE? Explain why.
a. Pressure versus depth measurements can be used to identify
reservoir fluids and fluid contacts.
b. NMR and density logs can be combined to predict gas-corrected
formation porosity in gas-bearing zones.
 c. Resistivity measurements alone can be used to differentiate oil
zones from gas zones.
d. NMR fluid characterization logs can be used to identify low-
resistivity pay zones.
22. A reservoir produces gas at an initial gas/liquid ratio (GLR) of 20,000 scf/STB.
After some period of production at constant GLR, the producing GLR begins to
increase with time. Essentially all the produced liquids are gas condensate.
Which of this following reservoir fluid types are suitable with the data
above? Explain why?
a. Black oil
b. Dry gas
c. Gas condensate (retrograde gas)
d. Wet gas
23. The proper ranking of average (typical, not exceptional) oil reservoir recovery
efficiency (from lowest to highest) by drive mechanism is
a. Solution-gas drive; rock-and-fluid expansion drive; water drive;
expanding gas-cap drive
b. Solution-gas drive; expanding gas-cap drive; water drive; gravity
drainage drive
c. Rock-and-fluid expansion drive; solution-gas drive; water drive;
expanding gas-cap drive
d. Rock-and-fluid expansion drive; expanding gas-cap drive; gravity-
drainage drive; water drive
Elaborate your answer.
24. Accurate laboratory studies of PVT and phase-equilibria behavior of reservoir
fluids are necessary for characterizing these fluids and evaluating their
volumetric performance at various pressure levels. There are many laboratory
analyses that can be made on a reservoir fluid sample. In general, there are
three types of laboratory tests used to measure hydrocarbon reservoir samples;
primary tests, routine laboratory tests, and special laboratory PVT tests.
Routine laboratory tests include tests such as constant-composition expansion,
differential liberation, constant-volume depletion, and separator tests. Explain
briefly about these tests.
25. On an actual drawdown-or buildup test plot, the straight line predicted by ideal
theory rarely occurs over the entire range of test times. Instead, the curve is
deviated from straight line in the beginning and the end. We can divide it into
three time regions based on the radius-of-investigation concept. What is
radius-of-investigation concept? What are those three time regions?
Explain briefly.