Author(s)

Cesar A. Mantilla, Sanjay Srinivasan, Quoc P. Nguyen

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This study investigated the feasibility of updating prior uncertain geologic models using Ensemble Kalman filter for controlling water coning problems in horizontal wells. Current downhole data acquisition technol-ogy allows continuous updating of the reservoir models and real-time control of well operations. Ensemble Kalman Filter is a model updating algorithm that permits rapid assimilation of production response for res-ervoir model updating and uncertainty assessment. The effect of the type and amount of production data on the updated geologic models was investigated first through a synthetic reservoir model, and then imple-mented on a laboratory experiment that simulated the production of a horizontal well affected by water con-ing. The worth of periodic model updating for optimized production and oil recovery is demonstrated.

Ensemble Kalman Filter, Reservoir Model Updating, Oil Production Optimization

Mantilla, C. , Srinivasan, S. and Nguyen, Q. (2011) Updating Geologic Models using Ensemble Kalman Filter for Water Coning Control. Engineering, 3, 538-548. doi: 10.4236/eng.2011.35063.