April 25 to April 28, 2006
Fundamentals of Reservoir Material Balance and Decline Analysis
Houston, USA

This 4-day course is designed for petroleum engineers, technologists and geo-scientists involved in preparing production forecasts, conducting formation evaluation, well testing or reservoir modeling, or estimating oil and gas reserves. The course is also suitable for supervisors and managers requiring a basic appreciation of the fundamentals of these techniques, and the manner in which these basic analytical reservoir engineering tools are utilized. The course is also useful as a refresher course in the basics of decline curve analysis and material balance analytical methods, highlighting the advantages and limitations of each method. The course will cover both the theoretical and practical aspects of decline analysis and material balance analysis. Both type curve fitting and type curve matching techniques will be explained and demonstrated. Examples will illustrate the more commonly used type curve fitting methods, including “hands-on” class problems, and the use of modern computer aided analysis tools will be reviewed. Problems and limitations of decline analysis will be presented and discussed. The material balance module of the course is intended to provide practical methods of applying the material balance approach to reservoir performance and reserves assessments in any reservoir. The course covers the material balance concept for oil, gas, and gas-condensate reservoirs, and also includes explicit material balance techniques which will complement any reservoir simulation effort. Recent developments in “flowing material balance” techniques will also be reviewed. The use of modern computerized material balance software will be reviewed and demonstrated. A complete set of course materials and lunches are included.

Course Outline
Theory & Mathematical Basis for Decline Analysis
Types of Declines - Exponential, Harmonic, Hyperbolic
Reservoir Geometries & Fluid Factors Affecting Decline Behaviour
Nominal versus Effective Decline
Fluid Cuts, WOR and GOR Versus Time, Cumulative Production
Type Curve Matching
Sandstone & Carbonate Reservoirs
Declines Under Various Reservoir Drive
Mechanisms
Primary & Enhanced Recovery Projects
Identifying Opportunities Using Decline Curve Analysis
Limitations of Decline Curve Methods
Material Balance Basic Concepts
PVT and Rock Properties
Special Aspects of Material Balance Applied to Gas and Gas Condensate Reservoirs
Original Oil-In-Place Prediction
Gas Cap Drive Characterization
Evaluation of Natural Water Drive Behaviour and Aquifer Size
Use of Material Balance in Well and Reservoir Limits Testing
Demonstration of Modern Material Balance Software Applications
Flowing material balance method
Examples & Problems