Mobility Ratio

Test Your Knowledge

Mobility Ratio Quiz

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What does mobility ratio measure?

a) The rate at which a fluid flows through a porous rock. b) The relative ability of two fluids to move through a porous medium. c) The pressure gradient needed to move a fluid through a porous rock. d) The volume of fluid that can be stored within a porous rock.

2. Which scenario indicates favorable mobility?

a) Mobility ratio (M) > 1 b) Mobility ratio (M) < 1 c) Mobility ratio (M) = 1 d) None of the above

3. What is the impact of unfavorable mobility on oil production?

a) Increased oil recovery b) Bypassed oil and reduced recovery c) Faster production rates d) No impact on oil production

4. Which of the following methods can be used to manage mobility ratio?

a) Chemical injection b) Well placement optimization c) Injection rate control d) All of the above

5. In waterflooding, a high mobility ratio can lead to:

a) Efficient displacement of oil b) Channeling and fingering c) Increased oil recovery d) Faster production rates

Mobility Ratio Exercise

Scenario:

A reservoir has the following characteristics:

• Permeability (k) = 100 mD
• Oil viscosity (µf) = 2 cP
• Water viscosity (µd) = 1 cP

Task:

1. Calculate the mobility ratio (M) for water displacing oil in this reservoir.
2. Based on the calculated mobility ratio, describe the impact of waterflooding on oil recovery in this reservoir.
3. Suggest a possible solution to improve the oil recovery in this scenario.

Techniques

Mobility Ratio: A Comprehensive Guide

Chapter 1: Techniques for Determining Mobility Ratio

The accurate determination of mobility ratio is crucial for effective reservoir management. Several techniques are employed, each with its strengths and limitations:

1. Core Analysis: This laboratory method involves measuring the permeability (k) of rock samples under controlled conditions. Fluid viscosities (µd and µf) are determined separately. Substituting these values into the mobility ratio equation (M = (k * µd) / (k * µf)) yields the mobility ratio. However, core samples may not perfectly represent the entire reservoir heterogeneity.

2. Relative Permeability Measurements: This technique determines the effective permeability of each fluid (oil, water, gas) as a function of saturation. By measuring relative permeabilities at various saturations, a more realistic mobility ratio can be calculated for different stages of reservoir depletion. This accounts for the complex interactions between fluids within the porous medium.

3. Well Testing: Pressure buildup and falloff tests provide reservoir properties, including permeability, which can be used to infer mobility ratios. However, these methods often require assumptions about reservoir geometry and fluid properties, potentially impacting accuracy.

4. Numerical Simulation: Reservoir simulation models incorporate relative permeability data and fluid properties to estimate mobility ratios dynamically during production. This allows for predicting the impact of different injection strategies and reservoir heterogeneities on mobility ratio.

5. Production Data Analysis: Analyzing historical production data, such as oil and water production rates and pressure changes, can indirectly infer mobility ratio trends. This retrospective approach complements other techniques.

The choice of technique depends on the availability of data, the accuracy required, and the specific reservoir characteristics. Often, a combination of methods is used to provide a robust estimate of the mobility ratio.

Chapter 2: Models for Mobility Ratio Prediction

Various models are used to predict and simulate the impact of mobility ratio on fluid flow in reservoirs. These models range from simple analytical approaches to complex numerical simulations:

1. Buckley-Leverett Model: This classic model provides a simplified representation of the displacement process, predicting the saturation profiles and breakthrough times based on fractional flow theory and the relative permeability curves. It assumes one-dimensional flow and homogeneous reservoir properties.

2. Coats' Model: This extension of the Buckley-Leverett model incorporates the effects of reservoir heterogeneity and capillary pressure. It allows for a more realistic prediction of displacement patterns, considering the influence of rock properties on fluid movement.

3. Numerical Reservoir Simulation: Sophisticated numerical simulators use finite-difference or finite-element methods to solve the governing equations of fluid flow, including the effects of multiphase flow, capillary pressure, gravity, and reservoir heterogeneity. These simulations allow for detailed visualization and prediction of mobility ratio impact on sweep efficiency and oil recovery.

4. Analytical Models for Specific Geometries: Simple analytical models exist for specific reservoir geometries (e.g., linear, radial) providing insights into the mobility ratio’s influence under simplified conditions. These models are useful for understanding fundamental concepts and sensitivities.

Chapter 3: Software for Mobility Ratio Analysis

Several software packages are used for mobility ratio calculations and reservoir simulation:

• CMG (Computer Modelling Group): A comprehensive suite of reservoir simulation software offering advanced capabilities for modeling fluid flow, including detailed relative permeability modeling and mobility ratio analysis.

• Eclipse (Schlumberger): Another industry-standard reservoir simulator used for detailed modeling of oil and gas reservoirs, incorporating various mobility ratio considerations.

• Petrel (Schlumberger): A widely used integrated reservoir modeling and simulation platform featuring modules for relative permeability analysis and mobility ratio calculations.

• MATLAB: Can be used for custom coding and analysis of relative permeability data and mobility ratio calculations, particularly beneficial for research and specialized applications.

These software packages typically require specialized training and expertise to operate effectively.

Chapter 4: Best Practices for Managing Mobility Ratio

Effective management of mobility ratio is crucial for maximizing oil recovery. Key best practices include:

• Detailed Reservoir Characterization: Thoroughly characterizing reservoir properties (permeability, porosity, fluid saturations) using core analysis, well logs, and seismic data is paramount for accurate mobility ratio estimation.

• Appropriate Fluid Selection: Choosing suitable injection fluids (e.g., water, gas, polymers) with optimal properties to control mobility ratio is critical.

• Optimized Well Placement: Carefully designing well patterns to minimize channeling and improve sweep efficiency, taking mobility ratio into account, is crucial.

• Injection Rate Management: Controlling injection rates to avoid excessive pressure gradients and channeling, which can be exacerbated by unfavorable mobility ratios.

• Chemical EOR Techniques: Employing chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods like polymer flooding or surfactant flooding to improve the mobility ratio and sweep efficiency.

• Monitoring and Control: Continuous monitoring of reservoir pressure, fluid production rates, and other parameters allows for real-time adjustments to injection strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of unfavorable mobility ratios.

• Regular Review and Optimization: Periodically reviewing the mobility ratio and adjusting production strategies accordingly ensures optimal reservoir management throughout the life cycle.

Chapter 5: Case Studies of Mobility Ratio Impacts

Several case studies highlight the importance of mobility ratio in oil and gas reservoir management:

• Case Study 1: Waterflooding in a Heterogeneous Reservoir: A reservoir with significant permeability variations experienced poor sweep efficiency during waterflooding due to an unfavorable mobility ratio, leading to bypassed oil. Implementing polymer flooding improved the mobility ratio and significantly increased oil recovery.

• Case Study 2: Gas Injection in a Tight Gas Sand: A high mobility ratio during gas injection led to early gas breakthrough and reduced oil recovery. Optimized injection rates and well placement mitigated this issue, improving recovery performance.

• Case Study 3: Impact of Mobility Ratio on Sweep Efficiency: A comparison of two different waterflooding scenarios, one with a favorable and one with an unfavorable mobility ratio, demonstrated the significant impact of mobility ratio on sweep efficiency and ultimate oil recovery. The favorable mobility ratio led to a higher percentage of oil recovery.

These case studies emphasize the need for careful consideration of the mobility ratio during reservoir management and highlight the potential for improving recovery by addressing this critical parameter. Specific details of the reservoirs and the implemented strategies would need to be provided for a complete case study.