A Graph-Based Approach to Specify Perforation Placement in an Oil Reservoir Hydraulic Flow Unit

Abstract

This paper brings out the applicability of graph centrality measures to suggest
optimal perforation zones for oil recovery in reservoirs. Combined with a characterization technique based on HFU/FZI/DRT (Hydraulic Flow Unit/Flow Zone Indicator/Discrete Rock Type), which identifies regions with similar features of flow by means of best-fit lines and conversion formulae, the present approach analyses how the rock connectivity inside a reservoir relates to changes in the oil recovery rates. To verify the consistence of the techniques employed here, long term numerical simulations of oil recovery from perforation zones placed at locations with maximum values of closeness centrality are performed and compared, thus resulting in considerable agreement with prior conjectures.