This document is a thesis submitted by Carlos Rafael Conde Rondon to the Robert Gordon University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master of Science degree in Petroleum Production Engineering. The thesis assesses mis-matches between a black oil reservoir simulation model and actual field production history for the Costanero Field in Venezuela through computer-assisted history matching. Specifically, it aims to reduce deviations between the model and historical production data for one of four reservoir variables. The results showed that the model reasonably matched the reservoir behavior and that water cut deviations were lowest. A correlation analysis revealed strongly correlated input parameters within two regions, and a Hessian analysis removed parameters for one region. The new approach required 47% less computational effort than conventional history

1. THE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
MSc. Petroleum Production Engineering
Black Oil Reservoir Simulation Model Mis-Match
Assessment through Computer-Assisted
History Matching
Carlos Rafael Conde Rondon
September 2009

2. i
Black Oil Reservoir Simulation Model Mis-Match Assessment
through Computer-Assisted History Matching
Carlos Rafael Conde Rondon
BSc Petroleum Engineer
September 2009
“This report is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science in Petroleum Production Engineering
at The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen”

3. v
ABSTRACT
Traditionally history matching process is one of the most consuming
times, expensive, extremely onerous and frustrating process in typical
reservoir simulation studies. Determine which reservoir variables have
large differences between the performance of the model and the history
of the reservoir can help to recognise the main sources of mis-match.
Allowing petroleum engineers determine and to rank which reservoir
information has great impact of the simulation results, minimising trial-
and-error approaches.
The purpose of this project is to provide a mis-match assessment for a
black oil reservoir simulation model through a computer-assisted to
concentrate on reducing the deviation of one of the four reservoir
variables, in Costanero Field, Venezuela. The methodology includes a
global and local evaluation analysis, a correlation analysis (anti or
correlated effect), a Hessian analysis (merge or remove input reservoir
parameters) and the amount of computational effort (manpower time).
The results showed that the model has satisfactory reservoir behaviour,
the less reservoir variables deviation was the water cut, the correlation
matrix showed that the input reservoir parameter is strongly correlated in
the region 1 and 2 and the Hessian matrix takes out the input parameter
in the region 2. In addition, the amount of computational effort for the
new approach was 47 percent less than a conventional history matching
process assuming five steps of a regression. The final objective of this
simulation model will be build up a representative prediction tool which
will be used to locate development wells and predict the effect of
developing recovery projects to the Lagunillas 07 reservoir during the
next years.
Finally, this methodology workflow presents a challenge owing to the fact
that success of the process depends on the correct selection of the input
reservoir variables and also of a good engineering judgement, expertise
and knowledge of field behaviour.