Archives: Pesquisas

The focus of this research line is to leverage the knowledge and techniques developed in EPIC's other research lines to propose integrated solutions. All activities have the reservoir simulation as the integration tool and a common dataset to develop the integrated solutions. The final goals are (1) to improve understanding on reservoir dynamic behavior and connectivity, and (2) to develop methodologies to enhance model-based reservoir management practices

This research line is divided into two research sub-projects (SP): (1) SP1 – Pre-salt static-dynamic integrated reservoir modeling, upscaling and flow simulation (integration between “Reservoir Management” and “Reservoir Characterization“ research lines); and (2) SP2 – Integration of reservoirs and production systems (integration between “Reservoir Management” and “Artificial Lift“ research lines).

The aims of this research line are: (1) to build a consistent benchmark case; (2) to develop workflows to efficiently integrate static and dynamic models (multiscale approach); (3) to evaluate the impact of modeled uncertainties in reservoir production; and (4) to estimate the impact of integrated production systems on reservoir performance.

Coordinator: 
Alessandra Davólio Gomes – UNICAMP/CEPETRO – davolio@unicamp.br

Technical Responsible
Daniel Mauricio Rojas Caro – UNICAMP/CEPETRO – dcaro@unicamp.br

Researchers:
Saad Allahham (Pesquisador/Pós-Doctorado) – UNICAMP/CEPETRO – allahham@unicamp.br

Students:
Felipe Mota (MSc. student) – UNICAMP/School of Mechanical Engineering – felipe.mota@aspentech.com

Geological characterization is a fundamental activity for reservoir modeling. Through it, it is possible to statistically determine the distribution of the main geological variables in the subsurface and thus determine possible scenarios for the exploration and production of oil reserves. During this process, various tools and methodologies are combined to extract the maximum amount of information about the reservoirs, including the use of seismic data, geophysical profiles from wells, rock samples (core or sidewall samples), as well as the use of analogous geological environments to assist in the study and understanding of how rocks are distributed.

In the context of the Brazilian pre-salt reservoirs, the challenge is even greater because they are deposits of carbonate rocks that do not have a defined analogue and, in addition to not having outcrops, are found at high depths (about 5km below the ocean floor), restricting their study through geophysical techniques combined with rock sampling from drilling. In order to improve the means of geological characterization of pre-salt reservoirs, the research line " Integrated Pre-Salt Reservoir Characterization and Modeling" was developed, whose main objective is to generate geological models that include the main heterogeneities of this system and how to represent them with quality, including uncertainty analysis. Thus, this research line was divided into four subprojects (SP):

SP1: Conceptual Geology and Petrophysical Properties Integration

This research topic focuses on porosity modeling, capturing its heterogeneity and including uncertainties, a crucial factor for the correct simulation of reservoir flow. Thus, this subproject aims to address the problem of the lack of correlation between depositional facies, characterization of diagenetic phases, and distribution of petrophysical properties.

Contact: Alexandre Campane Vidal (vidal@unicamp.br), Guilherme Furlan Chinelatto (guifc@unicamp.br), Mateus Basso (mbasso@unicamp.br).

SP2: Properties From Seismic into 3D Geomodels

This subproject faces the challenge of working with the complex stratigraphy of pre-salt reservoirs, as well as the sub-seismic resolution of some geological features, such as fractures, dissolution zones, and caves. All these geological features can contribute to the generation of zones of excess permeability, so it is important to understand their distribution patterns to generate representative geological models.

Contact: Alexandre Campane Vidal (vidal@unicamp.br), Guilherme Furlan Chinelatto (guifc@unicamp.br), Mateus Basso (mbasso@unicamp.br), Emilson Pereira Leite (emilson@unicamp.br).

SP3: Digital Rock Analysis

SP3 proposes to integrate workflows for classification, segmentation, and quantification of pore types in a multiscale analysis (micro to macro), using machine learning methods to improve scale transfer in different porous systems.

Contact: Alexandre Campane Vidal (vidal@unicamp.br), Guilherme Furlan Chinelatto (guifc@unicamp.br), Mateus Basso (mbasso@unicamp.br), Hélio Pedrini (pedrini@unicamp.br).

SP4: Geological Modeling and Uncertainty Analysis

SP4 will integrate conceptual geological models and numerical geological models, combining the results of all other subprojects to produce a more reliable distribution of rock properties (porosity, permeability, fractures, complex pore systems, excess k, etc.), incorporating geological uncertainty and conducting various scenarios.

Contact: Alexandre Campane Vidal (vidal@unicamp.br), Guilherme Furlan Chinelatto (guifc@unicamp.br), Mateus Basso (mbasso@unicamp.br).

The oil and gas industry faces major challenges in offshore production, considering production in subsea systems in deep and ultra-deep waters, using long fluid transport lines. This scenario can result in flow assurance issues, such as deposition of asphaltenes, formation of emulsions and others, making it necessary to guarantee oil production from the reservoir to the platform. Therefore, it is important to know the behavior of multiphase flow, in systems with several phases (liquid-gas-solid), depending on variables such as the fluid itself and its properties, pressure, temperature and flow rates.

Furthermore, the complexity of multiphase flow also affects the performance of artificial lift systems such as Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESPs). It is essential to understand how ESPs work with mixtures as complex as emulsions, and how to model the thermodynamic and thermophysical properties of these mixtures, considering flow assurance issues, such as high viscosity, solid formation, and others, thus increasing the efficiency of the system and your safety.

The main results of this research line include the reduction of uncertainties and improvement of asphaltene deposition prediction models; advance the understanding of the effects of emulsions in the production system, considering ESPs; as well as improving the methodology for qualifying chemicals used as inhibitors of flow assurance problems in oil production. To achieve this, this line of research is divided into three subprojects:

SP1: PVT – Thermodynamic properties and flow assurance studies

The focus in SP1 is to study of live oil characteristics by measuring thermodynamic properties (e.g., bubble point, GOR (gas-oil ratio), differential flash, flash release, among others) and modeling of PVT behavior using Equations of State (EoS). Additionally, study on asphaltene precipitation envelope and comparison of asphaltenes extracted by different methodologies will be performed. The characterization of asphaltenes is extremely important to understand the aggregation mechanisms and thus propose strategies to mitigate problems with deposition of asphaltenes in the field.

Contact: Paulo de Tarso Vieira e Rosa (prosaiqm@unicamp.br)

SP2: Study of live oil systems and production chemicals

Study of live oil\water systems with and without production chemicals at field representative conditions (reservoir/production system). The initial plan is to focus on the following chemicals: emulsion breakers, asphaltene inhibitors and acids, for acid stimulation of reservoirs. The objective is to improve understanding on emulsion formation and separation and to provide guidelines and best practices for choice of chemicals.

Contact: Carlos Eduardo Perles (cperles@unicamp.br)

SP3: ESP operation optimization

This SP will be focused on activities to improve the ESPs operation and performance. This SP is divided into two modules. In the first module (M1) experimental studies with different emulsion types will be performed to improve understanding and models related to emulsion flow within the ESP. Additionally, experimental study of polymer degradation, used for EOR/IOR, within ESP will be performed. Finally, in module two (M2) analysis of field data will be executed, aiming to understand causes of ESP failure and to develop a correlation between data and failure.

Contact (M1): William Monte Verde (wmv@unicamp.br)
Contact (M2): Alberto Luiz Serpa (alserpa@unicamp.br)

The management of oil and gas fields is a complex activity with many challenges, involving decisions to be made in uncertain scenarios and a high number of decision variables to be considered. Therefore, it is important to have techniques and tools to assist such processes, involving detailed and complete analyzes to avoid making suboptimal decisions and, consequently, improving the production and economy of oil fields. In this context, simulation models are often used for long-term decision making.

However, due to the complexity of the oil fields treated in this project (whether pre- or post-salt), numerical simulations can become very time-consuming, which is a challenge for decision analysis procedures. Therefore, developing and improving techniques to reduce computational effort without losing precision in results, and also speeding up decisions, is one of the main objectives of this research line. Furthermore, in this phase of the project we intend to provide solutions to increase production and recovery with a low carbon emission profile and considering the energy efficiency of the platforms.

Therefore, this research line's main focus is to support and improve management and decision-making processes in oil fields. To achieve this, this line is divided into five subprojects:

SP1: Ensemble-based modeling, data assimilation and optimization

The focus of SP1 is on the decision-making, data assimilation and optimization process to support and improve oil field development and management. The main goal is to generate methodologies and tools to be applied in the control and management of complex fields.

Contact: Vinicius Eduardo Botechia (botechia@unicamp.br)

SP2: Digitalization and visualization techniques

There is a tendency to forward some tasks regarding reservoir management into a digitalization point of view. Thus, the main goals of SP2 are: (1) improvements in visualization for ensemble-based approaches in data assimilation and decision-making support, (2) improvements and development of tool to select representative models and (3) model-based reservoir prediction combined with data-driven/machine learning approaches.

Contact: Vinicius Eduardo Botechia (botechia@unicamp.br)

SP3: Numerical modeling of multiphase flow in porous media

This subproject aims to improve numerical modeling of complex static and dynamic characteristics of pre-salt carbonate fields and to advance in high performance computing for OPM-Flow (an open-source reservoir simulator).

Contact: Vinicius Eduardo Botechia (botechia@unicamp.br)

SP4: Energy efficiency and IOR

This subproject aims to solve the following question: how can we improve oil and gas recovery in oil companies’ assets and be energy efficient? In this context, the main objective is to take the most value of the flexibility brought by production systems and enhanced oil recovery mechanisms (intelligent wells, ICV, AICD, WAG, polymer flooding, WAG or other) to increase production and recovery with efficient carbon profile and considering energy demands.

Contact: Davi Éber Sanches de Menezes (menezes@unicamp.br)

SP5: Development team - workflows, tools, guides, and IT support

The main objective is to support all other SPs with the necessary tools for the research development, with a close follow-up to also identify, implement and maintain mature workflows and solutions to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer.

Contact: Antônio Alberto de Souza dos Santos (aalberto@unicamp.br)