DOE SLATES STUDIES OF OIL AND GAS RESERVOIRS

The Department of Energy is sponsoring seven research projects to develop more accurate methods to depict the geological nature of U.S. oil and gas reservoirs. The winning projects in DOE's 1993 petroleum geoscience competition were chosen from 63 proposals the department received in response to a solicitation last October. The seven projects will cost $8 million, with DOE providing $5 million and project sponsors the balance. DOE said in most cases, sponsors will team with major and

June 21, 1993

2 min read

The Department of Energy is sponsoring seven research projects to develop more accurate methods to depict the geological nature of U.S. oil and gas reservoirs.

The winning projects in DOE's 1993 petroleum geoscience competition were chosen from 63 proposals the department received in response to a solicitation last October.

The seven projects will cost $8 million, with DOE providing $5 million and project sponsors the balance.

DOE said in most cases, sponsors will team with major and independent oil producers, service and supply companies, and consultants to complete the projects.

All of the projects will apply advanced geoscience and reservoir engineering concepts to provide operators a better picture of a reservoir's characteristics.

"This could lead to more effective production methods that could keep many aging U.S. oil fields in operation," DOE said.

THE PLAYERS

DOE's Bartlesville, Okla., office will monitor the projects, which will take place during a 3 year period.

Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Mich., will conduct a $994,000 program to develop a visual display of reservoir parameters affecting enhanced oil recovery.

University of Tulsa will conduct a $979,000 study to apply artificial computer intelligence to reservoir characterization.

University of Texas at Austin plans a $907,000 geoscience/engineering characterization of the inter-well environment in carbonate reservoirs based on outcrop analogues.

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, plans a $1.823 million study to integrate advanced geoscience and engineering techniques to quantify interwell heterogeneity in reservoir models.

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, plans a $918,000 interdisciplinary study of reservoir compartments and heterogeneity.

Utah Geological Survey proposes a $1.717 million geological and petrophysical characterization of the Ferron sandstone for 3D simulation of a fluvial deltaic reservoir.

University of Wyoming plans a $923,000 study of the anisotrophy and spatial variation of relative permeability and lithologic character of Tensleep sandstone reservoirs in Wyoming.