Tutorial 03: Water Injection Model
INTRODUCTION
As the Logie field development progresses, field development strategies are being evaluated to maximize
recovery. One primary strategy involves using water injection to maintain reservoir pressure. This model
focuses on evaluating the injection capabilities of a water injection well, specifically accounting for how the
injection of cool water decreases the temperature in the near-wellbore region. This thermal change can lead
to induced fracturing in the reservoir, which significantly impacts injection rates and requires specialized
modeling within PROSPER.
OBJECTIVES
To build a functional PROSPER model for a water injection well.
To utilize the specialized "Thermally Induced Fracture" IPR model to simulate reservoir behavior
during injection.
To input specific geothermal and equipment data relevant to injection operations.
To perform a system calculation to estimate the potential water injection rate at a given set of
conditions.
PROCEDURE
Step 1: Model Setup and PVT Data
1. Open PROSPER and go to Options | Options.
2. Set the Fluid to "oil and water " and the Flow Type to "Water Injector."
3. Navigate to PVT | Input Data.
4. Enter the water properties, including:
o Water Salinity: 200,000 ppm.
o Impurity Content: Ensure H2S, CO2, and N2 are set to 0%.
Step 2: Equipment and Geothermal Data
1. Go to System | Equipment (Tubing etc.) and select All then Edit. Add injected fluid temperature to
60degF
2. Deviation Survey: Input the MD and TVD data (from 0 ft to 9000 ft).
3. Surface Equipment: As there is no surface equipment in this model, select cancel
4. Downhole Equipment: Define the injection string, including the X-mas tree, tubing (approx. 4.052"
ID), and the safety valve (SSSV).
5. Geothermal Gradient: Input the temperature profile, ensuring the ambient temperature is accurately
reflected (e.g., 60°F at surface).
6. Heat Transfer: Set the Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient to 8 BTU/hr/ft2/∘F to account for
thermal exchange during injection.
Step 3: Thermally Induced Fracture IPR
1. Go to System | Inflow Performance.
2. Select the Thermally Induced Fracture model from the list of reservoir models.
3. Enter the reservoir parameters:
o Reservoir Pressure: 5200 psig.
o Reservoir Temperature: 210°F.
o Injection Water Temperature: 120°F (at the wellhead).
Select the Mech/Geom Skin tab to input the skin data for the well:
4. Click Calculate and Plot to see how the injection profile changes once the fracture pressure is
reached.
Step 4: System Calculation
1. Navigate to Calculations | System (VLP + IPR).
2. Set the Top Node Pressure (Injection Pressure) to 1250 psig.
3. Ensure the Rate Method is set to Automatic - Geometric.
This can be done by selecting Generate
4. Click Calculate.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
The system calculation provides the estimated injection capacity for the well:
Predicted Injection Rate: The intersection of the VLP and IPR curves determines the final rate.
Fracture Observation: The resulting plot shows three distinct regions. If the intersection occurs in
the third section of the curve, it indicates that the model predicts a thermally induced fracture will
occur at these operating conditions.
In conclusion, the model demonstrates that water injection is a viable strategy for the Logie field, though the
potential for reservoir fracturing must be closely monitored and potentially analyzed further using a
numerical reservoir simulator.