A Streamline-Based Method for Assisted History Matching Applied to an Arabian Gulf Field

Summary A streamline-based history-matching method is presented that overcomes two of the major limitations of previous approaches: (1) it uses a three-phase compressible streamline simulator for the forward simulation, and so its application is not limited to incompressible waterfloods; and (2) geological constraints, such as regions of differing facies, can be honored. Permeability, porosity, and anisotropy can all be modified using the methodology of Assisted History Matching.1–3 In this paper, the technique is extended with suggested modifications to the reservoir description computed assuming tracer-like flow. This allows the engineer to direct the parameter changes through interactive code. The method is applied to history matching the full-field model for the Southwest Fateh Mishrif field located in an offshore concession in the Emirate of Dubai. The Southwest Fateh Mishrif is a carbonate reservoir containing a highly undersaturated oil. There are currently 42 active producers and 27 active water injectors. First production occurred in 1972, and waterflooding commenced in 1975 prior to the field average reservoir pressure falling below the bubblepoint, with present injection rates of 320,000 BWPD.