Integrated Approach - Key For Successful Interwell Tracer Project Available to Purchase

Tracer technology can provide valuable information on reservoir and fluid flow performance. Acquiring reliable information requires good planning, designing and implementation. In earlier papers Cubillos, H. et al 1,2,3 have presented a field case study and best practices of utilisation of gas tracer technology to improve reservoir description. In the present paper this work is extended to include the importance of an integrated approach to perform successful gas and water tracer programs. This includes a clear definition of objectives and qualified evaluation of key parameters which are crucial for a successful operation such as selection of tracer types, calculation of tracer amounts, sampling program and sampling method, detection techniques, risk evaluation and environmental consideration, and data integration into reservoir management. It has been demonstrated that reliable tracer data can be obtained through careful planning, design, implementation, and monitoring. A key element of success is integration of the project team to include the disciplines of reservoir engineering, geosciences, field operations, and tracer specialists. The best practices that we employed are documented here. In the lessons learned we also review the common mistakes and bad experiences that could occur in the absence of a robust tracer design program. The importance of analytical calculations, simulation, sampling frequency, temperature stability and the recycling of tracers are also among the topics which are addressed. Application of properly designed tracer campaigns is of great importance for all operators that manage secondary recovery programs where gas or water injection is performed. The present method review will be of help to those managing or planning gas and water tracer application projects