Unconventional Multi-Well History Match and Optimization: A Bakken Case Study

Appropriate well-density development is vital to maximize both hydrocarbon recovery and net present value. If the wells are drilled too close together, the wells will interact causing a negative impact on individual well performance. If the wells are drilled too far apart, recoverable oil and gas will be left behind. Appropriate modelling of well interactions on a multi-pad field scale has been seldom done. Utilizing CMG’s unconventional simulation workflows, this webinar presents the results of a full field well placement study performed for an asset in the Bakken.

In the case study, a 10 well history match was performed where the wells were completed with different fracture designs. The results of the history match were utilized to predict the child-parent behavior of the fractures of future wells. Finally, a multi-pad NPV optimization was performed to determine the ideal well placement strategy.

The workflow presented in this webinar was successfully performed on a Bakken asset and is applicable for all unconventional formations and simulations studies. The concepts covered include appropriate model set-up, large scale history matching techniques, parent-child interactions with planar fractures, and field scale optimization.