A low pressure gas injection pilot was implemented in the Shallow Oil Zone Reservoir of the Elk Hills Field (Naval Petroleum Reserve #1 in California) to investigate the technical feasibility and economic viability of injecting gas for pressure assistance.

This paper highlights various aspects of the gas injection project including the use of perfluorocarbon tracer to detect gas movement, the value of geologic sublayer mapping, and the need for a multi-mode monitoring program.

Pilot results are reported in terms relative to initial expectations based on volumetric calculations and reservoir modelling. Furthermore, project objectives and strategies related to reservoir communication and optimum depletion pressure are also reported.

Since the success of this project was predicated on a unique, synergistic working relationship among the principals, a portion of this paper addresses the merits of such a relationship.

Keywords:
upstream oil & gas, objective, gas injection pilot, petroleum reserve, pressure-depleted reservoir, reservoir pressure, reservoir, optimum depletion pressure, pilot area, elk hills
Subjects:
Artificial Lift Systems, Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Characterization, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Reservoir Simulation, Formation Evaluation & Management, Gas lift, Gas-injection methods
Copyright 1993, Not subject to copyright. This document was prepared by government employees or with government funding that places it in the public domain.
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