Opportunity index: an alternative to prioritize prospective areas in mature reservoir

Abstract

Mature reservoirs are those that have exceeded their peak of production, and in turn are related to an unpromising future and low potential. This decline in production is generally associated with the maturity of the reservoir, there are other variables to consider, including pressure depletion, water-oil ratio, old existing data, as well as facilities and economic profitability. In this type of reservoirs, it is difficult to prioritize the prospective areas, which is why the opportunity index methodology presents the possibility to build this hierarchy using existing data, reducing costs drastically. In the case of study, it was possible to identify these areas and modify the exploitation plan. In conclusion the majority of wells from the reservoirs under study are in the acceptable-bad range and only 8% present an acceptable opportunity index.