What Is Convolution Explorer?
Area of Application
Convolution Explorer (ConvEx) is a software tool for analysis of dynamic behavior of oil and
gas reservoirs. This is a multi-well Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA) application that
can also be used for analysis of single-well pressure and rate data.
In a multi-well mode, this tool should be used with data that demonstrate signs of well
interference. True multi-well analysis is a difficult inverse problem.
Complexity of analysis rapidly increases with the number of wells. In addition,
success of analysis depends on information content of multi-well data. Therefore this type
of analysis is only feasible on fields that involve a relatively small number of wells.
Convolution Explorer analysis approach can be used with high-quality
pressure and rate data normally acquired in carefully conducted well tests during
reservoir discovery and appraisal. It can also be used with surveillance pressure
and rate data obtained in the course of routine production operations.
Analysis Approach
Convolution Explorer analysis can be used only with the well pressure and rate
data that are consistent with the principle of superposition (convolution).
However, in the course of analysis it is possible to determine/explore if the data are
consistent with superpositon or not. This by itself is an important conclusion
to make regarding observed well or field behavior. If analysis indicates that the well data
are in some way consistent with superposition, it then produces constant-rate drawdown
response function (or in multi-well case a set of response functions) that reflect the
reservoir and well properties encoded in the original well data. These response
functions reconstructed from original well pressure and rate data can then be used for
regular PTA analysis to evaluate reservoir, rock, and well properties.
Reconstructed response function(s) can also be used for predicting future reservoir
and well performance. Note that such forecasting is based on direct extrapolation
of dynamic pressure and rate behavior observed in the wells. It does not involve
building a reservoir model and subsequent reservoir simulation. In the case of
surveillance data analysis this approach extends application of Pressure Transient
Analysis (PTA) techniques to an area often handled by Production Data Analysis (PDA).
Convolution Explorer in this case offers an alternative workflow that relies on better
quality pressure data as opposed to noisy rate data as is the case of Production
Data Analysis (PDA). Note that the principle of superposition is at the heart
of PTA and PDA analysis techniques. In this regard, Convolution Explorer has the same
applicability as the regular PTA and PDA analysis techniques used in the industry.
In a way, Convolution Explorer implements a form of pressure-rate deconvolution analysis.
However, it does it in a robust way and does not rely on automatic pressure-rate
deconvolution algorithms prone to all kinds of limitations and problems. This is
an analysis tool intended for experienced engineers with expertise and knowledge of
pressure transient analysis. At the same time, Convolution Explorer is
a great teaching tool that due to its highly interactive nature rapidly builds
engineer's knowledge and expertize in dynamic well and reservoir behavior.
Summary
Convolution Explorer is an engineering software intended for use by experienced engineers
working professionally in oil industry. It is provided here as a fee-based software
delivered to user as a service (Software as-a-Service or SaaS). Convolution Explorer
extends PTA analysis techniques that traditionally have been used for well test analysis
to the area of surveyllance data or production data analysis. Convolution Explorer
offers more straight forward and integrated analysis workflow based on pressure-rate
deconvolution. In the hands of an experienced engineer, Convolution Explorer allows
for faster more comprehensive and reliable analysis.
If you want to evaluate this tool for your own use please
contact us
to obtain a copy and access to this software.