A simple mathematical model was developed to simulate production out of a geopressured reservoir about 15,000 ft. deep and injecting the water into a shallow zone of about 6,000 ft. The model represents a two phase (gas/water) flow in a radially symmetric system. Pressure drawdown curves vs. time for a 30-year period are obtained for a constant drawdown rate or a constant well bore pressure.

A sensitivity analysis was performed on some key parameters to determine the impact of gas accumulation in the formation on production. The impacts of various completion choices on the productivity of the well are also discussed.

A successful program for gas production linked to withdrawal of large volumes of water from a geopressured reservoir will require that the well be designed to keep pressure losses in and near the wellbore within acceptable ranges. Effects of tubing size, perforation program, and gravel packing are discussed.

Keywords:
free gas, pressure drop, geopressured reservoir, flow characteristic, borehole diameter, co-production, aquifer, flow in porous media, completion, gas saturation
Subjects:
Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Characterization, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Formation Evaluation & Management, Flow in porous media, Drillstem/well testing, Completion Installation and Operations
Copyright 1982, Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME
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