The role of reservoir characterization in the reservoir management process (as reflected in the Department of Energy's Reservoir Management Demonstration Program)

Optimum reservoir recovery and profitability result from guidance by an effective reservoir management plan. Success in developing the most appropriate reservoir management plan requires knowledge and consideration of (1) the reservoir system, including rocks, fluids, and rock-fluid interactions, as well as wellbores and associated equipment and surface facilities; (2) the technologies available to describe, analyze, and exploit the reservoir; and (3) the business environment under which the plan will be developed and implemented. Reservoir management plans de-optimize with time as technology and the business environment change or as new reservoir information becomes available. Reservoir characterization is essential for planning appropriately scaled reservoir management plans. BDM-Oklahoma and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) encourage operators with limited resources and experience to implement sound reservoir management techniques through cooperative research and development projects. In the three projects awarded, careful attention to reservoir context promotes a reservoir characterization effort that is sufficient for, but not in excess of what is necessary for, creating an effective reservoir management plan.