Detection of Edge Water Movement and 3D Dynamic Model Calibration Using Pressure Transient Analysis, Onshore Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract Water drive gas reservoirs pose a significant challenge in detecting gas water contact (GWC) movement and accurately predicting the timing of water breakthrough. The ability to anticipate water breakthrough is critical for production optimizing and ensuring the long life of the reservoir and help in mitigating the reserves. dynamic simulation models are powerful tools for predicting GWC movement, however these models require extensive production data for calibration, which may only become available after water breakthrough has already occurred. This delay in calibration can mislead development planning and result in less effective production strategies. This paper discusses the application of Pressure Transient Analysis (PTA) as a tool to monitor water movement and predict water breakthrough times in water drive gas reservoirs before they occur. PTA can be used to obtain key reservoir parameters, estimating skin factors, and detecting reservoir boundaries, all these parameters are important for understanding reservoir behavior. By performing successive analyses, PTA can also detect boundary movement, such as the relative position of GWC in gas wells over time. Reservoir pressure is one of the most valuable and useful sources of data in reservoir engineering, and PTA provides a reliable means of analyzing this data to predict water breakthrough times. Our objective is to demonstrate the effectiveness of PTA in monitoring water movement and predicting water breakthrough times in water drive gas reservoirs. In summary, this paper offers a practical solution to the problem of detecting GWC movement and predicting water breakthrough times in water drive gas reservoirs. The proposed method of using PTA provides a reliable means of analyzing reservoir data and offers valuable insights into reservoir behavior and future production under various modes of operation. This paper presents a case study from the Lower Abu Madi (LAM) reservoir in the Nile Delta, Egypt, where PTA was used to monitor GWC movement and predict water breakthrough. The results show the effectiveness of PTA in providing early warning signs of water encroachment, allowing for better-informed reservoir management decisions. The integration of PTA with dynamic simulation models offers a practical solution for overcoming the challenges associated with detecting GWC movement and predicting water breakthrough in water drive gas reservoirs.