Reservoir Fluid and Rock Characterization of a Peruvian Oil Reservoir

Abstract

In this study, a reservoir fluid and rock characterization is done for a Peruvian oil reservoir. A robust workflow for validation of laboratory PVT work is applied. This approach was originally proposed by Professor William D. McCain, Jr. at Texas A&M University. No practical applications of it have been published before. The reservoir rock characterization was done by definition of hydraulic flow units from core data. A traditional method of analysis, which uses a subjective judgment regarding the number of flow units and their corresponding limits, was enhanced by use of hierarchical cluster analysis. This implementation was done in the form of a MATLAB code. The algorithm automatically determined the optimum number of flow units and their associated limits. It is noteworthy to clarify that hierarchical cluster analysis for hydraulic flow unit definition has been proposed earlier. However, this study provides a clearer guidance on how to use it appropriately. Cluster calibration was done by integration of rock-fluid properties, as distinct relative permeability and capillary pressures exist for each flow unit.