Scientists from Perm Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have developed an innovative method for assessing the efficiency of oil production, eliminating subjective calculations. The technology analyzes actual production data, helping to more accurately predict remaining reserves in reservoirs.
Specialists from the Department of Oil and Gas Technologies of PNRPU proposed an alternative to the traditional oil recovery factor (ORF), which often depends on expert assessments. The new approach is based on two key parameters:
1. Current oil recovery factor – the actual degree of reserve recovery.
2. Accumulated water-liquid factor – the ratio of produced water and oil during the operation of the well.
How does this work?
– If the complex parameter is ≥ 1, production is effective.
– If < 1, adjustments are required (for example, changing the density of wells or water injection methods).
The study covered 168 oil facilities with a 10-year development period, including:
– Terrigenous reservoirs (sandstones): efficiency is higher with low oil viscosity and large formation thickness.
– Carbonate reservoirs (limestones, dolomites): the key factor is the compaction of the well pattern.
The method is already used to analyze deposits in the Urals and Western Siberia. In the future, scientists plan to create mathematical models for predicting oil recovery factor based on geological data, which will reduce exploration costs.
The Permian researchers’ development will help oil companies more accurately estimate reserves and optimize production, especially in aging fields. This is critically important for Russia, where the share of hard-to-recover oil exceeds 60%.
Source: naked-science.ru
