Study on main controlling factors of sandstone reservoir unsteady water drive development

Abstract In order to identify the main controlling factors affecting the unsteady water drive development, a conceptual model considering planar heterogeneity is established by using numerical simulation software. The main controlling factors affecting the unsteady water drive development are analyzed based on the numerical model. The geological factors mainly analyzed are planar heterogeneity, permeability, and crude oil viscosity. While the development factors are mainly analyzed from the aspects of recovery degree, pressure retention level, and water cut rise rate. The results show that the development effect of an unsteady water drive is better than that of a conventional water drive for reservoirs with strong heterogeneity. Unsteady water drive development is more suitable for reservoirs with strong heterogeneity, low permeability, low oil viscosity, high-pressure retention level, low recovery degree, and high water cut rise rate. Considering the reservoir selecting technical limits for unsteady water drive development, the H34 fault block is suitable for unsteady water drive development, which provides a theoretical basis for subsequent unsteady water drive development.