Volumetric Estimation

Introduction

Volumetric estimation is the quantifying of the amount oil and gas

that is accumulated in a reservoir. The estimate will change at each stage in the

life time of the field, as technology for analyzing and collecting of field data is

upgraded. There are two main methods in volumetric estimation, Deterministic and

Probabilistic method. Deterministic method involves the averaging of data

collected at different points in the reservoir, from well logs, seismic and cores.

Probabilistic method involves the use of statistics and predictive tools to input and

analyze field data concerning the geological model to extract information about the

trends in the reservoir properties that are far away from the sample points. Due to

unavailability of software and data to be used in the probabilistic method, the

deterministic method will be used instead.

Range of Volume

The calculation of oil initially in place (OOIP) of gas initially in place (GIIP)

is the common practice by the oil and gas operators to evaluate the economic

aspect of the field development. Due to that fact, it requires the value of volumetric

calculation as the basic representation of the hydrocarbon volume lies inside the

reservoir. The inadequacy of any production data might lead to the incorrect

volumetric estimation.
 The use of deterministic calculation will yield the STOOIP and GIIIP

represent the rigid approach of volumetric estimation. It only provides a single

value for hydrocarbon calculation, which is considered risky with respect to the

proper economic analysis. Plus, by solely dependent on the averaged values for

the reservoir properties, the deterministic method is less reliable to quantify the

entire uncertainties lie inside the reservoir. As the time prolongs, more information

of the reservoir data will be captured, therefore, the only value obtained from the

deterministic approach is volumetric calculation will be expected to change

throughout the reservoir.

On the other hand, the different input variables uses in probabilistic method

as the result of the combined parameters may lead to the inaccuracy of the

calculation of hydrocarbon reserves. Some values might represent the

overestimation of hydrocarbon value, and some of them represent the

underestimation of the hydrocarbon volume. The reliance of probabilistic method

causes the team to take the value of P50 as the considered values as it symbolizes

the median throughout all of the calculations.

Deterministic Methods

A deterministic method is a single technical best estimate of stock tank oil

in-place and gas initially in-place. It does not take uncertainty into consideration,

therefore averaging of parameters such as porosity, saturation and net to gross is

possible. The equations for calculating STOIIP and GIIP are shown below.

7758 × GRV × N⁄G × ∅ × (1 − 𝑆𝑊 )

STOOIP =
𝐵𝑜𝑖
 43560 × GRV × N⁄G × ∅ × (1 − 𝑆𝑊 )
GIIP =
𝐵𝑔𝑖

Where,

STOOIP is the stock tank oil initially in-place, STB

GIIP is the gas initially in-place, SCF

N⁄ is the net-to-gross ratio,

G

∅ is the porosity,

𝑆𝑊 is the water saturation,

𝐵𝑜𝑖 is the oil formation volume factor, bbl/STB

𝐵𝑔𝑖 is the gas formation volume factor, ft 3 /SCF

GRV is the gross rock volume, acre/ft