The Role of Barrier in the Development of the Bottom Water Reservoir

A study is made on the mechanism of bottom water coning in well and the shape of bottom water coning through barrier. Based on Coats' bottom water flow model, bottom water influx during its coning through the barrier is calculated, and the roles of location, barrier size and height in bottom water coning are studied. The results indicate that the barrier on the oil/water contact has a considerable effect on the elimination of bottom water coning, and can increase exploitation effect; the bigger the barrier is, the more the bottom water influx decreases, and the longer its valid time is. Furthermore, strata heterogeneity and exploration speed also play roles on the barrier working on bottom water coning. Extraction speed and penetration degree of the reservoir with barrier may thus increase to some extent. The role of barrier in bottom water reservoir is illustrated by examples.