Unlocking the Power of Parallel Computing and Integrated Asset Modeling with a High-Resolution Reservoir Simulator for Informed Decision-Making in Gas Field Management

Abstract In this study, a series of integrated subsurface-to-surface models with different field development scenarios have been developed to optimize and extend production life of a key conventional gas asset in Mexico. The overall solution adopts reservoir-to-network coupling with a high-resolution reservoir simulator and a robust production network system to comprehensively validate various primary and secondary recovery strategies, with consideration of well-pipeline integrity and flow assurance. By leveraging the power of parallel computing, it enables comprehensive assessment of various field development plan (FDP) scenarios to identify the optimal option within a short project time frame. The reservoir model was history-matched and its corresponding wells, pipelines production network model was calibrated with the latest production data in readiness for integration. To fully capture the variation of the produced hydrocarbon compositions as the reservoir pressure depletes, both reservoir and network models were in compositional mode. Seamless fluid fidelity of the reservoir model to its network model was realized via fluid delumping - compositional mapping with appropriate split factors. To achieve accurate production forecasts with consideration of facility constraints and operating strategy, the defined field management of integrated asset models: Reservoir development strategy: to evaluate reservoir performance with various development strategies.Operational scheduling and control: on-demand what-if scenario analysis with varying system constraints to assess the overall reservoir performance, enabling swifter responses to market requirements and optimized production operation controls. The wells were coupled at bottomhole; and with the iteratively lagged coupling method supported by the next-generation high-resolution reservoir simulator, the developed integrated solutions were robust and capable of sensitizing the impacts of network operations and changes, thereby determining the best water injection scheme and analyzing well-pipeline erosion risk. Parallel computing empowered multiple simulations to run simultaneously, dramatically reducing simulation runtimes of the developed integrated models which, with the advanced field management and coupling capability, led to accelerated and informed decision making. A series of integrated models with different FDP scenarios and operation strategies were run concurrently in Linux clusters and successfully delivered good results within a very tight time frame. The optimal numbers of new infill wells and water injectors to drill were confirmed, with results of 55% additional gas production and 69% additional condensate production potential. Recovery factors of 39% in gas and 6% in condensate were achievable by network backpressure reduction, and a further 18% of condensate recovery factor by waterflooding was encouraging. Integrated asset models offered solution workflows with variability and complexity, enabling cross-domain and close collaboration of project teams in different locations throughout the project deployment. By unlocking the power of parallel computing, it enhanced results accuracy and timeliness, enabling engineers to identify opportunities of optimized operation and extending profitability of the Mexican gas asset confidently, timely and efficiently.