SPE-GCS

Reservoir: New Grids for Robust Reservoir Modeling

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:38:43 GMT

Reservoir: New Grids for Robust Reservoir Modeling
Start Date: 23-Apr-09 11:30 AM
End Time: 23-Apr-09 1:00 PM
Location: Courtyard on St James, HOUSTON, TX 77056
Speaker: Emmanuel Gringarten

Event Details:

Geostatistical modeling of reservoir facies and petrophysical properties (e.g. porosity and permeability) must be performed in a pre-faulted, deposition space in order to reproduce the true spatial correlations of these properties. A transformation function is therefore required to bring the data from the current position of the reservoir into the modeling space where experimental variograms are computed; reservoir properties are then stochastically simulated in the deposition space and mapped back to the real space. Current reservoir modeling practice uses a stratigraphic grid to conform to the reservoirs structure (bounding horizons and faults). The (i, j, k)-indexing of the nodes of the cells is used as a discretization of a curvilinear coordinate system which acts as the transfer function to the deposition space. This leads to a very strong underlying assumption: the geological distances (in the deposition space) are a function of the (i, j, k)-indexing. In the presence of non-vertical faults, the cells of the stratigraphic grids are either stretched or squeezed, violating this assumption. Moreover, in the presence of complex structural geology, these grids simply cannot be constructed without tremendous simplifications. The new proposed approach uses a 3D parameterization of the subsurface yielding a grid that minimizes the distortions of distances imposed by geostatistical simulation algorithms. These new Geologic Grids allow the construction of robust reservoir models whatever the structural complexity of the reservoir. Additionally, they guarantee the accurate mapping and upscaling of reservoir properties into either structured or unstructured Flow Simulation Grids. They also enable the creation of structured Flow Simulation Grids in which faults are defined as stair-steps allowing representation of the complete reservoir structure and ensuring orthogonality of cells.basin.

Courtyard on St James

1885 St. James Place

HOUSTON, TX USA 77056

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:25:55 GMT

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting
Start Date: 16-Apr-09 7:30 AM
End Time: 16-Apr-09 10:30 AM
Location: SPE Houston Office, Houston, Texas 77042
Speaker:

Event Details:

The Gulf Coast Section will hold its monthly Board of Directors meeting from 7:30 am to 10:30 am. Please register so that we may have a proper head count for breakfast goodies. Register online or RSVP to Tammie via phone message at (713)779-9595, ext. 621, or via e-mail at tdean@spe.org. Anyone is welcome to attend.

SPE Houston Office

10777 Westheimer Road, Suite 1075

Houston, Texas 77042

THE STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND PRACTICALITIES OF CO2 EOR & STORAGE

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:45:02 GMT

THE STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE AND PRACTICALITIES OF CO2 EOR & STORAGE
Start Date: 9-Apr-09 11:30 AM
End Time: 9-Apr-09 1:00 PM
Location: Petroleum Club of Houston, ExxonMobil Bldg, 43 Floor, Houston, Texas 77002
Speaker: DAVID S. HUGHES

Event Details:

The key message is the worldwide opportunity to use the skills of the oil industry to exploit the synergy between reduced CO2 emissions and sequestration of CO2 in depleted reservoirs.

The UK has a soon to be legally binding target to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% by 2050. As a contribution to achieving this reduction, much of the UK’s fossil-fuelled power generation is expected to be replaced by new coal-fired power stations equipped with carbon capture. This will make available large quantities of CO2 which could be injected into depleted reservoirs. The UK is collaborating with Norway and other countries around the North Sea rim in the planning of CO2 storage regulations and infrastructure, and is assisting in the development of carbon capture and storage technology in developing countries. There is no experience of injecting anthropogenic CO2 into offshore oil fields so despite the maturity of land-based CO2 EOR, this is a new challenge.

As there is a global imperative to reduce CO2 emissions, this opportunity is also available to other countries with significant coal-fired electricity generation and an indigenous oil industry (e.g. USA and China). The talk will include policy background, plans by utility companies, sources and sinks for CO2, the EOR opportunity, infrastructure requirements and engineering challenges.

Petroleum Club of Houston, ExxonMobil Bldg, 43 Floor

800 Bell Street

Houston, Texas USA 77002

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:25:10 GMT

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting
Start Date: 19-Mar-09 7:30 AM
End Time: 19-Mar-09 10:30 AM
Location: SPE Houston Office, Houston, Texas 77042
Speaker:

Event Details:

SPE Houston Office

10777 Westheimer Road, Suite 1075

Houston, Texas 77042

Reservoir: Modeling Permeability in Tight Gas Sands Using Intelligent and Innovative Data Mining Techniques

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:48:09 GMT

Reservoir: Modeling Permeability in Tight Gas Sands Using Intelligent and Innovative Data Mining Techniques
Start Date: 26-Feb-09 11:30 AM
End Time: 26-Feb-09 1:00 PM
Location: Courtyard on St. James, HOUSTON, TX 77056
Speaker: Liaqat Ali

Event Details:

Evaluation of gas potential in low permeability reservoirs (< 0.1 md) generally referred to as Tight Gas reservoirs is not very straight forward as in conventional reservoirs. This study is focused on modeling permeability in the Travis Peak Formation where there are many challenges. One may encounter low resistivity pay due to clay coated grains and alternating thin laminae of finer and coarser sandstones with distinctly different pore geometries, natural fractures, bituminous zones and multilateral fluvial channel sandstones in broad lenses. Core data is sparsely available. Most importantly, there are no structural features that may construe trapping mechanisms. In view of these challenges, a permeability model was developed primarily for the Travis Peak Formation of Robertson and Leon counties where it has produced 96 BCF of gas and 0.54 MMbbl of oil.

A permeability model was developed by integrating core and log data using the Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Logic Inference System (ANFIS) that combines the functionality of neural network and fuzzy logic techniques. A combination of conventional logs such as lithology (GR, SP), porosity (RHOB, NPHI), deep and shallow resistivity logs were integrated with core data (porosity, permeability).

The results showed excellent agreement with measured core permeability values. The results of the conventional porosity-permeability transform are also presented for comparison purposes. Since the data has been used from the Travis Peak Formation of East Texas Basin comprising several counties, it is expected that the permeability model

Courtyard on St. James

1885 St James Place

HOUSTON, TX USA 77056

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:23:49 GMT

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting
Start Date: 19-Feb-09 7:30 AM
End Time: 19-Feb-09 10:30 AM
Location: SPE Houston Office, Houston, Texas 77042
Speaker:

Event Details:

SPE Houston Office

10777 Westheimer Road, Suite 1075

Houston, Texas 77042

REMEDIATING CUSIANA & CUPIAGUA - FRACTURING BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:18:28 GMT

REMEDIATING CUSIANA & CUPIAGUA - FRACTURING BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Start Date: 12-Feb-09 11:30 AM
End Time: 12-Feb-09 5:30 PM
Location: Petroleum Club of Houston, ExxonMobil Bldg, 43 Floor, Houston, Texas 77002
Speaker: MARTIN RYLANCE

Event Details:

The Colombian Cusiana and Cupiagua developments, in the Llanos foothills of the Eastern cordillera of the Andes mountains, comprise a giant oilfield (Cusiana) and a giant retrograde gas-condensate field (Cupiaga). Discovered in 1992 & 1993, they were subsequently developed fast-track with over 15 drilling rigs running at the peak of the operations in 1997.

In both fields, initial well rates were disappointing, mostly due to a combination of difficult perforating conditions and significant drilling induced damage. However, more concerning than this was that as well production history was obtained, it became increasingly clear that the relative permeability effects were unusually severe in these quartz-arenite formations and that associated decline rates on the wells (due to GOR and condensate banking) were dramatic and severe.

Typically wells would have been immediately fracture stimulated to address this. However, early experience had already demonstrated that the regional tectonic effects were quite considerable and as the completions had not been designed for high-pressure fracturing operations and with many wells already drilled, this presented a significant complication.

In response to this, a team was formed to determine if and how BP could fracture stimulate in the most effective manner possible. This team proposed a number of solutions for both the fields, which were subsequently implemented. Issues that were addressed included coping with well deviation/azimuth, rigorous pre-frac well-bore preparation, novel frac-string deployment, fracturing (for condensate-banking) and an efficient remedial stacking of fracs.

Production rates increased dramatically and the decline(s) and condensate-banking issues were reduced, allowing the economic development of the two fields to continue.

Petroleum Club of Houston, ExxonMobil Bldg, 43 Floor

800 Bell Street

Houston, Texas USA 77002

Permian Basin: A Case Study of Hydraulically Fractured Eddy County, New Mexico, Horizontal Wolfcamp Producers

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:53:29 GMT

Permian Basin: A Case Study of Hydraulically Fractured Eddy County, New Mexico, Horizontal Wolfcamp Producers
Start Date: 20-Jan-09 11:30 AM
End Time: 20-Jan-09 1:00 PM
Location: WestLake Club, Houston, TX 77079
Speaker: Steve Metcalf

Event Details:

In order to improve production and subsequent well economics in the Wolfcamp formation in Eddy County, New Mexico, horizontal drilling has been employed for the last seven years. Current stimulation practices in these horizontal wells involve hydraulically fracturing with proppant in multiple stages. The effectiveness of the various fracturing treatments on production responses is of interest, because any optimization or changes that can reduce stimulation costs improves profit. In addition, with the current shortages in all mesh sizes of sands, anything which reduces the quantities needed to effectively stimulate wells is a plus.

Production from a localized group of horizontal Wolfcamp wells was examined to establish the impact scenario that proppant choice made on performance. It was found that decline rates were the same or better on wells fracture treated using a significantly lower volume of an Ultra-Lightweight proppant compared to those wells treated with regular sand. This reduction in proppant used also resulted in a savings ranging from 4% to 33% of the stimulation costs. SPE 116646

WestLake Club

570 Westlake Park Blvd.

Houston, TX USA 77079

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:22:19 GMT

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting
Start Date: 15-Jan-09 7:30 AM
End Time: 15-Jan-09 10:30 AM
Location: SPE Houston Office, Houston, Texas 77042
Speaker:

Event Details:

SPE Houston Office

10777 Westheimer Road, Suite 1075

Houston, Texas 77042

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:18:33 GMT

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting
Start Date: 18-Dec-08 7:30 AM
End Time: 18-Dec-08 10:30 AM
Location: SPE Houston Office, Houston, Texas 77042
Speaker:

Event Details:

SPE Houston Office

10777 Westheimer Road, Suite 1075

Houston, Texas 77042

General Meeting Study Group: TBA

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:36:16 GMT

General Meeting Study Group: TBA
Start Date: 9-Dec-08 11:30 AM
End Time: 9-Dec-08 1:00 PM
Location: Petroleum Club of Houston, ExxonMobil Bldg, 43rd Floor, Houston, Texas 77002
Speaker: TBA

Event Details:

TBA

Petroleum Club of Houston, ExxonMobil Bldg, 43rd Floor

800 Bell Street

Houston, Texas USA 77002

Drilling Study Group - (Joint Meeting with AADE) Eliminating Invisible Lost Time using Automatic Rig Activity Detection

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:53:49 GMT

Drilling Study Group - (Joint Meeting with AADE) Eliminating Invisible Lost Time using Automatic Rig Activity Detection
Start Date: 4-Dec-08 11:30 AM
End Time: 4-Dec-08 1:00 PM
Location: Petroleum Club, Houston, TX 77002
Speaker: Eric Van Oort

Event Details:

Wells-related performance improvement initiatives tend to focus primarily on non-productive time (NPT) caused by largely unforeseen events (e.g. tool failures, hole problems) that yield operational downtime. With NPT estimates typically on the order of 10-25% of overall well delivery time and cost for such highly expensive projects as deepwater wells, this indeed represents a compelling improvement opportunity. There is, however, an even greater prize in the form of invisible lost time (ILT) reduction on wells as diverse as low-cost land wells to deepwater exploration wells. ILT quantifies the degree of inefficiency that is absorbed by a well delivery operation. Simply put, although there is no downtime, ILT accumulates if rig operations are not carried out as efficiently as they could be carried out with currently available technology and best-practice know-how. A typical estimate of ILT is ~30% of well delivery time and cost, almost irrespective of the type of well that is being delivered. With drilling budgets on the order of billions of dollar for NOC’s and oil majors, it presents an opportunity that begs to be addressed. The tools to do so effectively are now becoming available. They include real-time automatic rig activity detection (ARAD), either used as standalone technology or in combination with operations monitoring in the setting of a real-time operations center (RTOC). To explore the opportunity presented by ARAD, a trial in three phases was organized in Shell's RTOCs in the Americas. The first two phases were dedicated to a proof of concept, ironing out IT-related problems and developing a “commercial” solution that could be easily implemented for any type of well. The third phase involved the application of this, now mature, solution for a variety of land and offshore wells. The presentation will introduce ARAD and its use in RTOC setting, and will highlight characteristic results obtained using ARAD for the range of low-cost land wells to deepwater development and exploration wells.

Petroleum Club

800 Bell Street #4300

Houston, TX USA 77002

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:19:52 GMT

SPE GCS Board of Directors Meeting
Start Date: 20-Nov-08 7:30 AM
End Time: 20-Nov-08 10:30 AM
Location: SPE Houston Office, Houston, Texas 77042
Speaker:

Event Details:

SPE Houston Office

10777 Westheimer Road, Suite 1075

Houston, Texas 77042

PF&C: Enterprise Project Risk Management

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:27:56 GMT

PF&C: Enterprise Project Risk Management
Start Date: 18-Nov-08 11:30 AM
End Time: 18-Nov-08 1:00 PM
Location: Houston Racquet Club, Houston, TX 77024
Speaker: Scott Randall

Event Details:

Enterprise Project Risk Management: The Key to Sustained Competitive Advantage for Oil and Gas Companies in the 21st Century

Operational risk management tools and techniques have been used for many years in functional areas ranging from petroleum geology to major project and commodity price risk management. However, techniques from the broader fields of strategic planning, market research and quality management have not been integrated with methods from petroleum reserves and resource classification to manage enterprise level risks. This presentation illustrates how an information validation framework supported by tools and techniques from beyond the field of operational risk management can provide petroleum companies with sustained competitive advantage on their really big, “Enterprise” level projects.

Houston Racquet Club

10709 Memorial Drive

Houston, TX USA 77024

Permian Basin: Dynamics of Starting a New Resource Play Fayetteville Shale

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:47:14 GMT

Permian Basin: Dynamics of Starting a New Resource Play – Fayetteville Shale
Start Date: 18-Nov-08 11:30 AM
End Time: 18-Nov-08 1:00 PM
Location: Westlake Club, Houston, TX 77079
Speaker: John Gargani

Event Details:

Every shale play has a history, whether it is the Barnett Shale in North Texas, the Marcellus Shale in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York, or the Barnett/Woodford play in the Permian Basin. John will discuss the history of Southwestern Energy Company’s involvement in the Fayetteville Shale play located in northern Arkansas from its initial identification through its current development program with over 20 rigs running. He will discuss the evolution of its completions from vertical wells stimulated with foam fracture treatments to today’s horizontal wells completed with slickwater fracs. To date, Southwestern has drilled and completed over 550 horizontal wells and its current operated production is approximately 500 Mmcfpd.

Westlake Club

570 Westlake Park Blvd.

Houston, TX USA 77079

25th Annual SPE-GCS Tennis Tournament

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:14:42 GMT

25th Annual SPE-GCS Tennis Tournament
Start Date: 14-Nov-08 4:00 PM
End Time: 15-Nov-08 8:00 PM
Location: The Houston Racquet Club, Houston, TX 77024
Speaker:

Event Details:

We are pleased to announce the 25th Annual Society of Petroleum Engineers - Gulf Coast Section Tennis Tournament which will be held on November 14 & 15, 2008 at The Houston Racquet Club located at 10709 Memorial Drive in Houston, Texas.

Tournament activities will begin on Friday evening with registration starting at 4:00 pm. Social Mixed Doubles and some flights of Tournament Doubles will start at 6:00 pm along with hors d’oeuvres or light dinner. On Saturday, registration will begin at 9:00 am with play beginning at 10:00 am. Time permitting, a FUN Scrambles Tournament will be arranged in the afternoon. Saturday evening will consist of a wonderful dinner, door prizes, and award ceremony.

Entry fees (per person) are $125.00 which covers Tournament Double and Social Mixed doubles, or $50.00 for those only playing Social Mixed Doubles. Please be ready for playing lots of tennis, meeting old friends and making new ones, receiving an official tournament t-shirt and more nice gifts (contributed by our sponsors), drawing of valuable door prizes, winning awards, and enjoying all meals (Friday dinner through Saturday dinner) and beverages.

Participation is limited and entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for tournament entry is Friday, November 7th, 2008. The entry and sponsorship forms are included in the attachments below. Please consider sponsoring this year’s event either by donations, door prizes, or ditty bags items. We appreciate your support, and if you need more information please call.

On behalf of the entire 2008 SPE-GCS Tennis Committee we look forward to seeing everyone for two fun-filled days of tennis.

The Houston Racquet Club

10709 Memorial Drive

Houston, TX USA 77024

Distinguished Lecturer at Northside - Hydraulic Fracturing Technologies for Mature O&G Formations

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:49:01 GMT

Distinguished Lecturer at Northside - Hydraulic Fracturing Technologies for Mature O&G Formations
Start Date: 4-Nov-08 11:30 AM
End Time: 4-Nov-08 1:00 PM
Location: Greenspoint Club, Houston, Texas 77060
Speaker: Anthony Martin

Event Details:

Hydraulic fracturing has been described as one of the three most significant technologies to be developed in the upstream oil and gas industry in the last 50 years (the other two being 3D seismic and horizontal wells). However, the traditional approach to hydraulic fracturing has been that it is a technology best applied to new wells, drilled into low permeability formations. It is true that fracturing has been highly successful in this environment - but it is also true that fracturing can be both technically and economically successful in a very wide range of reservoirs, including depleted, oil and gas assets. Various strategies such as skin bypass fracturing, batch fracturing, screenless frac-packs, coiled tubing fracturing and neutral density proppant fracturing can be combined with complimentary techniques for zonal isolation, relative permeability modification and scale inhibition, to produce low-cost, high-value solutions for mature assets. Success in this environment is not necessarily about using the latest and greatest fluid system or computer monitoring technique. The successful application of hydraulic fracturing to mature oil and gas reservoirs is about recognising that there is a wide range of appropriate solutions available. A number of case histories will be used to illustrate the effectiveness of these techniques, when they are systematically applied.

One idea I would like members to take away from this lecture:- Hydraulic fracturing is not just for new wells in tight formations

Greenspoint Club

16925 Northchase Dr

Houston, Texas 77060

PF&C: Divide & Control: A Topsides Story

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:25:40 GMT

PF&C: Divide & Control: A Topsides Story
Start Date: 28-Oct-08 7:00 AM
End Time: 28-Oct-08 5:00 PM
Location: Hilton Houston North Hotel (formerly Wyndham) - Greenspoint, Houston, Houston, TX 77060
Speaker:

Event Details:

Introduction

Topside oil and gas production facilities have developed for over half a century as production first moved offshore on fixed platforms with pipelines to today's floating structures with subsea tie-backs and marine offloading systems. Technology trends for offshore topsides systems will continue to mature to keep pace as the industry moves to more remote locations in harsher environments and discovers more challenging production fluids with high CO₂/H₂S levels, heavy oil, and high water cuts. What are the current best practices in offshore topsides systems? How are controls and communications improving with electronics miniaturization? How can topsides systems handle increasing production volumes in harsher environments? How are industry standards evolving in the global market? This technology showcase will focus on current best practices, technology challenges, and emerging solutions.

The Topsides Technology Showcase, sponsored by the SPE Projects, Facilities & Construction Study Group, will present the following technical areas:

v Oil Processing

v Gas compression and CO₂ sequestration

v Water Processing

v Control Systems

v Communications

v Performance Assurance

Benefits of Attending:

Keep up to date on current topsides trends

Hear about the latest best practices and emerging technical trends

Connect with industry experts and peers

Gain insights you can act on within your organization

Who should attend?

Project Managers

Facilities Engineers

Business Development Managers

Engineers new to offshore topsides

Subsurface Engineers that want to learn something about Topsides Facilities

Hilton Houston North Hotel (formerly Wyndham) - Greenspoint, Houston

12400 Greenspoint Drive

Houston, TX USA 77060

Reservoir: Fast-Track Subsurface Assessment

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:23:29 GMT

Reservoir: Fast-Track Subsurface Assessment
Start Date: 23-Oct-08 11:30 AM
End Time: 23-Oct-08 1:00 PM
Location: Courtyard at St. James, Houson, Texas 77056
Speaker: Mark Williams

Event Details:

Mark Williams will present a workflow that was developed by Hess Corporation to perform rapid assessments of reservoir rate and recovery for exploration prospects. Although hydrocarbons-in-place are usually based on seismically-derived maps and depositional models, the production rates and recoveries are often estimated using whatever analogue data are available. These are inconsistent and subjective if the analogue data is sparse or non-existent. Assumptions are then made on initial rates, plateau lengths, and declines to arrive at recovery estimates that may not have a strong physical basis or be correlated to a specific well configuration or recovery process.

To address this, Hess developed an integrated work flow that leverages knowledge from multiple disciplines to create a series of conceptual simulation models that cover the range of expected performance. A central part of the work flow is the use of Enable to build, run, and analyze Eclipse simulation models to yield unbiased performance estimates that incorporate the ranges assigned to all static and dynamic reservoir parameters, and to ensure that all performance estimates have a physical basis. A typical Fast-Track assessment is performed in a few days. If data ranges are changed for any reason, the entire suite of models and results can be regenerated in hours. Models can be as heterogeneous as desired and any type of well configuration or recovery process can be tested.

Courtyard at St. James

1885 St James Place

Houson, Texas USA 77056

Digital Energy: Social Networking in the Oil & Gas Business

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:01:28 GMT

Digital Energy: Social Networking in the Oil & Gas Business
Start Date: 22-Oct-08 11:30 AM
End Time: 22-Oct-08 1:00 PM
Location: Courtyard on St James, Houston, TX 77056
Speaker: Zain Naboulsi

Event Details:

Social Networks are on a meteoric rise. According to Forrester: “Young adults are more than twice as likely to be creators of original content and two and a half times more likely to be social network joiners as compared with previous generations. Additionally, 49% of them visit social networking sites at least monthly.” Attend this luncheon to learn how your new employees are already harnessing this technology to change the game in the way work is done in the oil & gas business.

Managers need to be educated on this new medium and how it impacts their business. Join Zain Naboulsi, Information Technology Evangelist for Microsoft, as we discuss the present and the future of social networks and how they will impact the business operations of Oil & Gas corporations. We will discuss the myriad touch points social networks have with business today from hiring to security implications and beyond. We look forward to seeing you there!

Courtyard on St James

1885 St James Place

Houston, TX USA 77056