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14

RESERVOIR PERFORMANCE

The commercial success of a reservoir development project is often determined by
the performance of a reservoir. In this chapter, we outline workflows used to under‑
stand reservoir performance and prepare forecasts using reservoir flow models and
then present several examples of reservoir performance.

14.1 RESERVOIR FLOW SIMULATORS

Decline curve analysis and material balance are two methods that are commonly
used to understand and predict reservoir performance. A more sophisticated analysis
of reservoir performance is provided using reservoir flow simulators. A reservoir
flow simulator is a computer program that is designed to solve equations based on the
physics and chemistry of fluid flow in porous media. Reservoir flow simulators
include computer algorithms that represent reservoir structure, rock properties,
fluid properties, interactions between rocks and fluids, and fluid flow in production
and injection wells. A reservoir flow model is the data entered into a reservoir
flow simulator.
Reservoir flow model studies are important when significant reservoir management
options are being considered. By studying a range of scenarios, the reservoir
management team can provide decision makers with information that can help
them decide how to commit limited resources to activities that can achieve
management objectives. These objectives may refer to the planning of a single well

Introduction to Petroleum Engineering, First Edition. John R. Fanchi and Richard L. Christiansen.
© 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Published 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Companion website: www.wiley.com/go/Fanchi/IntroPetroleumEngineering