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Application of decline curve analysis to estimate recovery factors for carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery

Scientific Investigations Report 2017-5062-C
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https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175062C

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Introduction

In the decline curve analysis (DCA) method of estimating recoverable hydrocarbon volumes, the analyst uses historical production data from a well, lease, group of wells (or pattern), or reservoir and plots production rates against time or cumu­lative production for the analysis. The DCA of an individual well is founded on the same basis as the fluid-flow principles that are used for pressure-transient analysis of a single well in a reservoir domain and therefore can provide scientifically reasonable and accurate results. However, when used for a group of wells, a lease, or a reservoir, the DCA becomes more of an empirical method. Plots from the DCA reflect the reservoir response to the oil withdrawal (or production) under the prevailing operating and reservoir conditions, and they continue to be good tools for estimating recoverable hydrocarbon volumes and future production rates. For predicting the total recov­erable hydrocarbon volume, the DCA results can help the analyst to evaluate the reservoir performance under any of the three phases of reservoir productive life—primary, secondary (waterflood), or tertiary (enhanced oil recovery) phases—so long as the historical production data are sufficient to establish decline trends at the end of the three phases.

Suggested Citation

Jahediesfanjani, Hossein, 2017, Application of decline curve analysis to estimate recovery factors for carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery, chap. C of Verma, M.K., ed., Three approaches for estimating recovery factors in carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5062, p. C1–C20, https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175062C.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Background
  • Basis for Decline Curve Analysis
  • Case Study 
  • Discussion 
  • References Cited
  • Appendix C1. Decline Curve Analysis of Selected Reservoirs 
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Application of decline curve analysis to estimate recovery factors for carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2017-5062
Chapter C
DOI 10.3133/sir20175062C
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Eastern Energy Resources Science Center
Description iv, 20 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Three approaches for estimating recovery factors in carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5062)
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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