Quantitative methods for reservoir characterization and improved recovery: Application to heavy oil sands

Comparison and integration of data from field investigations in southern Utah with results from Coalinga Field in California is yielding a better understanding of the distributions of subsurface geological characteristics and petrophysical properties. A new minipermeameter probe was developed for measurement of in situ permeability in small-diameter holes drilled in outcrop. Advantages of this method include measurement of permeability below the weathered zone of outcrop surfaces and a superior sealing mechanism around the air injection zone. Field use of the new drill-hole minipermeameter probe has provided data needed for fractal analysis and confirms that that the new technology is a robust and viable field method. Facies-dependent variations in outcrop permeability values and scale have been identified. Geological and petrophysical contrasts between bioturbated sandstone facies and cross-bedded sandstone facies have important implications for subsurface fluid-flow prediction using outcrop analogs. Fractal scaling properties of the outcrop permeability data collected from southern Utah have been analyzed for application to predicting permeability distributions. Results from geological investigation, permeability testing, and fractal analysis are being integrated to produce conditioned, three-dimensional computer models for reservoir characterization of Coalinga Field.