Horizontal Well Placement in High Water Cut Oilfield: A Case of JE Oilfield in X Block in Oriente Basin, Ecuador

As a mature stimulation technology, horizontal wells have been widely used in oilfield development and achieved good development results. In this paper, we deal with the main issues faced in the horizontal well placement in JE oilfield in X block of Ecuador, such as depth prediction of low relief structure, reservoir sand distribution prediction of estuary environment and complex remaining oil distribution caused by the high water cut. A fine geological model has been built based on the structural analysis and reservoir sand prediction study. Further, the numerical simulation has been used to study the distribution of remaining oil in high water cut stage, and to define the potential target for horizontal well. 4 distribution patterns of remaining oil have been summarized: (1) Attic oil, (2) Remaining Oil in Undeveloped Area, (3) Remaining Oil under Interbed and (4) Composed pattern remaining oil. Among the 4 patterns, Attic oil and Remaining Oil in Undeveloped Area are potential area for horizontal well development. The numerical simulation model has been also used to define the key parameters of horizontal well placement: the direction of horizontal section, the position of horizontal section in reservoir, the length of horizontal section and the production optimization. Through the research, the remaining oil distribution characteristics and horizontal well development potential of the oilfield were clarified. The designed horizontal well was applied in the oilfield field and achieved excellent production results.