Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Consultants September-November 1998, Vol. 1, No. 1, Story 4

Newsletter

RS expands reservoir-modeling capabilities

In response to a growing demand, Ryder Scott formed a reservoir-modeling group July 1 headed by Dean Rietz, manager-reservoir simulation. The firm has performed reservoir modeling since the early 1970s, however the reorganization and an increase in personnel will better enable Ryder Scott to handle all client requests.

"Our commitment to clients will remain the same. We simply have a more concentrated approach to conducting this work," said Rietz.

The firm’s traditional Services -- analyses in geology, geophysics, petrophysics and classical petroleum-reservoir engineering -- will guide the simulation efforts so that the models have more practical relevance than ones built by "pure" reservoir-simulation modelers, said Ray Cruce, CEO. The improved simulation capabilities also complement a full range of reservoir-evaluation services so that clients deal with a "one-stop shop."

Clients using all evaluation services, including modeling, provide data one time, eliminating the need to gather and transmit the same information to separate service providers. Ryder Scott will also be able to use the results of its own simulations in reserves estimations rather than reviewing modeling data from other firms less skilled in estimations.

Reservoir simulation manager
Dean Rietz reviews models
constructed by his team.

However, the reservoir-simulation group routinely audits other modeling studies. In August, the group was auditing three such models, said Rietz. Ryder Scott was also working on four simulation projects in August besides the Santa Clara Lower Repetto work.

Construction of a full-field model to optimize future drilling and offshore field development. Ryder Scott will model the encroachment of the aquifer and the continued development of the gas cap.

Development of a model to assist in the design of a water-flood for sands that have already been depleted through primary recovery. The integrated study will provide an updated geological and petrophysical model through seismic interpretation and geostatistics. The simulation model will help determine the best location of injection and production wells. Ryder Scott will also investigate the optimization of future operating parameters, such as injection rates.

Construction of a model of a proposed gas-storage project in a reservoir in Pennsylvania. The simulation group will construct a probabilistic model using geostatistics to account for uncertainty since the reservoir data are limited. The study will include an assessment of existing gas in place and an optimal development plan based on injection and production requirements.

Continued development of a model for another gas-storage facility. The client routinely refers to the model to optimize hedging/futures positions. The model furnishes timely, accurate production profiles for blowdown scenarios.

"Our policy has always been to decline studies with time frames too short to allow us to complete useful models or where the objective of the work cannot be met through simulation. That will not change," Rietz remarked.

The group strives to develop useful models within fixed budgets. "We will provide the most cost-effective solution, but we must also maintain the high standards of Ryder Scott," Rietz said. His phone number is 713-651-9191, ext. 216.

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