Emerging technologies applicable to increasing reservoir recovery factors

Geoscience disciplines such as geochemistry, geophysics, petrophysics and geomechanics play a critical role in reservoir management and do so over the extended life of the reservoir. Acoustic measurements comprising time-lapse seismic data and microseismic surveys provide a unique opportunity to monitor the flow of fluids and changing permeability fields. These surveys are incredibly rich in information because the measured data vary with changes in mineralogy, porosity, fluid saturation, fracture attributes, pore pressure and external stresses. Ultimately, their purpose is to economically increase the recovery factor from our reservoirs. Geoscientists and engineers using new and emerging technologies will have the means to increase the reservoir recovery factors of many of our reservoirs.