Fundamentals of Reservoir Characterization in View of Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery

This chapter presents a new reservoir characterization technique and reviews enhanced oil recovery options in scientific light in order to determine their suitability for specific reservoirs and to recommend optimal operations for various reservoirs. It first discusses the role of natural and artificial fractures, and then describes the tools for developing reservoir characterization for basement reservoirs. The origin of fractures is explained, followed by a discussion of seismic fracture characterization. Two phenomena add to the complexity of fracture flow. They are: the occurrence of shale breaks and secondary cementation of fractures. The chapter describes reservoir characterization during the drilling process, and the image logging and core analysis, which is used for the purpose of the characterization. The major forces of oil and gas reservoirs include solution-gas drive, gas cap drive, and aquifer (natural water) drive. The chapter also discusses reservoir heterogeneity, and the special considerations of reservoir characterization for shale gas.