Waterdrive diagnosis

There are several diagnostic indicators to help identify or discount a possible active aquifer.
First, an understanding of the reservoirs geology is important. The entire outer surface of the reservoir
must be scrutinized carefully to identify communicating and noncommunicating pathways; communicating
pathways represent possible water entry points. Geological maps should be consulted to identify the type
of reservoir trap and the trapping surfaces. Trapping surfaces represent impenetrable surfaces and are
discounted automatically as possible water-entry points. The remaining outer surfaces need to be
evaluated and classified. If no communicating pathways exist, then the reservoir can be confidently
discounted as a possible waterdrive; however, if communicating pathways exist, then the reservoir remains
a candidate waterdrive.
Second, and perhaps most importantly, the water cut history of all producing wells should be recorded and
regularly monitored. A steady rise in a wells water cut is a good indicator of an active aquifer. Although this
is among the best indicators, it is not foolproof. For instance, an increasing water cut might be caused
by water coning instead of an active waterdrive. Special precautions need to be exercised to avoid water
coning. A rising water/oil contact (WOC) is a good indicator of a bottomwater drive. Special attention should
be paid to the location of high-water-cut wells. Their location will help define the position of the
reservoir/aquifer boundary in peripheral and edgewater drives.
Third, the change in reservoir pressure also can be a helpful indicator. Strong waterdrive reservoirs are
characterized by a slow or negligible pressure decline. Thus, a slower-than-expected pressure decline can
help indicate a waterdrive. Material-balance calculations are important to help identify and confirm a
slower-than-expected pressure decline.
The reservoir pressure distribution also can help diagnose an active aquifer. For peripheral-water and
edgewater drives, higher pressures tend to exist along the reservoir/aquifer boundary while lower
pressures tend to exist at locations that are more distant. A pressure contour map is sometimes helpful to
identify pressure disparities.
Fourth, the producing gas/oil ratio (GOR) can be a helpful indicator. Strong waterdrives are characterized
by small changes in the producing GOR. The small GOR change is directly related to the small pressure
decline.
Fifth, a material balance analysis can help diagnose water influx. Several different types of materialbalance analyses such as the McEwen[2] analysis can identify water influx.