Copyright 2012, Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute - IBP

This Technical Paper was prepared for presentation at the Rio Oi & Gas Expo and Conference 2012, held between September, 17-
20, 2012, in Rio de Janeiro. This Technical Paper was selected for presentation by the Technical Committee of the event according to
the information contained in the final paper submitted by the author(s). The organizers are not supposed to translate or correct the
submitted papers. The material as it is presented, does not necessarily represent Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute
opinion, or that of its Members or Representatives. Authors consent to the publication of this Technical Paper in the Rio Oil & Gas
Expo and Conference 2012 Proceedings.
______________________________
1
MSc PE, Nuclear Engineer - Central Reservoir Management Team Leader
SINOPEC ARGENTINA E & P, Inc. - pablo_caprioglio@sinopecarg.com.ar
2
Geologist - Senior Geologist in Reservoir Description Team
SINOPEC ARGENTINA E & P, Inc. - rodrigo_rodriguez@sinopecarg.com.ar
IBP1957_12
PRESSURE DATA ANALYSIS AS THE BASIS FOR
THE IDENTIFICATION OF GROSS EQUILIBRIUM
REGIONS IN MULTI-RESERVOIR FIELDS
Pablo A. Caprioglio
1
and Rodrigo J. Rodriguez A.
2



Abstract

Located in the central area of Patagonia and discovered in 1907, Golfo San Jorge Basin (GSJB) is one of the
most prolific basins in Argentina and has the longest production history of the country. The basin is the result of the
rifting processes generated as a consequence of extensional tectonics events that began in the early Mesozoic. Its
structural styles vary across the basin. Extensive and compressive structures are combined with stratigraphic pinch outs
of Cretaceous reservoirs deposited in a fluvial environment. Reservoir average thickness is approximately 3 m, while
net to gross exhibits low values (even lower than 15% in Southern flank), making difficult the discrimination between
individual reservoirs and multi-reservoir flow units. Reservoir pressure information tends to be under-utilized in this
environment, but it probably represents the most important data when estimating the original field condition. The field
studied responses to a pressure gradient according to water density for the complete productive column, but local
deviations from this gradient are to be expected for those intervals where hydrocarbon is filling the pore space. This
study points to identify interconnected sections of the column through pressure gradient behavior under original
conditions by applying a calculus procedure. After several realizations, seven gross equilibrium regions were initially
identified in which hydrocarbon fluid density would be controlling their pressure gradient. Once the calculation ended
and the initial equilibrium hypothesis arose, consistency between pressure data, petrophysical analysis, geological
characterization of sand bodies and production tests has been verified, finally recognizing 21equilibrium regions. Thus,
the calculus procedure developed proved to be a powerful methodology for establishing the first equilibrium-region
hypothesis for the complete Bajo Barreal formation along an entire field, by unlocking information hidden behind the
fields water gradient.


Area of study

This methodology was developed for Sur Piedra Clavada (SPC) field, located in the Southern flank of Golfo
San Jorge Basin (GSJB). The analysis includes three concessions currently under Sinopec management: Sur Piedra
Clavada, Piedra Clavada (PC) and Meseta Sirven (MS), as shown in figure 1.
The analyzed area covers approximately 100 Km2 while the vertical thickness takes into consideration the
totality of Bajo Barreal Formation, which is represented in this portion of the basin, by around 700 m of continental
fluvial-lacustrine deposits.


Regional geological features

Golfo San Jorge Basin, discovered in 1907, is one of the most prolific basins of Argentina ad it has the largest
production history in the country.



Figure1. Reg
Its g
Central Patag
sector of GS
third portion
San
1983), durin
grabens and
and older cry
The
the main curr
orogeny (M
interrupting t
Alth
Heras Group
deposits: fluv
central basin
Middle Juras
Cretaceous) a
A se
The first dep
Aptian) with
Formation (t
and South-W
Barreal Fm.
Cenomanian
shown in figu
Dur
resulting in a
producing re
The
(Uppermost C


Local geol

Reg
local charact
relevant SPC
gional location
the stud
geometry is t
gonia. The N
SJB. Westward
of the basin c
n Jorge is a rif
ng the Triassi
hemi-grabens
ystalline rocks
e regional basi
rent structural
Miocene) origi
the normal reg
hough the We
p (Figari et al.
vial, fluvial
n. These seque
ssic), the late
and late therm
et of cretaceo
posits related
h variable thick
owards the Ce
West), mainly r
(and equivale
Coniacian
ure 2.
ring the depo
a significant im
servoirs of the
e sedimentary
Cretaceous - N
logical feat
gional fluvial a
teristics were
C features for t
n of the basin
dy inside the re
the result of
Norpatagonico
d it is limited
continues offs
ft basin, which
c. The initial
s that control
s filled the gen
in structural c
l elements of t
inates the tra
gional faulting
est part of the
1997) known
lacustrine (w
ences can be d
e syn-rift (Upp
mal subsidence
ous deposits li
to early therm
kness depend
enter and Sou
represented by
ents: Comodo
). This unit s
osition of Baj
mprovement i
e basin.
column ends
Neogen) (Fitz
ures
architecture fo
mentioned by
this study.
in Argentina,
ed circle. To t
extensional te
Massif to the
d by the Ande
hore.
h origin is rela
l extensional
the structural
nerated space,
configuration
the basin (Fitz
anspressive S
g pattern ment
e basin was o
n as Neocom
with generatio
divided into d
per Jurassic
e deposits (Up
ies unconform
mal subsidenc
ing on its bas
uth-Center of t
y large volcan
oro Rivadavia
shows differe
jo Barreal Fo
in the petroph
s with Cenozo
zgerald et at. 1
or southern fla
y Rodrguez et
Sinopec conc
the right, the s

ectonic event
e North and t
ean uplift and
ated to the bre
tectonic even
l style of the
, both represen
is shown by t
zgerald et at.
San Bernardo
tioned before.
open to marin
mian), most o
on of small d
different contin
early Cretac
pper Cretaceou
mable above th
ce correspond
in position. A
the basin) and
niclastic and fl
Fm. in the N
nt architectur
ormation, a p
hysical charact
oic Salamanc
990).
ank was wide
t al. (2011). H
Ri
cessions in ye
stratigraphic c
ts that began
the Somoncur
d to the east b
eakup of Gond
nt (Triassic
basin. Volcan
nting the econ
the W-E and N
1990). In the
o Range linea
.
ne influence (
of the sedimen
deltaic system
nental deposit
ceous), begin
us Paleocen
he Neocomian
d to Pozo D-1
Above this sec
d its lateral equ
luvial channel
North and Ca
ral features ac
rogressive de
teristics of the
ca, Rio Chico
ly described b
However, it is
io Oil & Gas E
llow and the l
olumn is sum
in early Mes
ra Massif to t
by the Atlanti
dwana and the
Lower Juras
niclastic depo
nomic baseme
NW-SE faulti
Central We
ament with
(associated de
ntary column
ms) and fine la
ts related to th
nning of the th
ne).
n and correspo
129 Formation
ction, it was de
uivalent Casti
l deposits. Fol
adon Seco Fm
ccording to it
ecrease of pir
e reservoirs th
, Patagonia an
by Jalfin et al.
important to
Expo and Con
local position
mmarized.
sozoic. It is l
the south limi
ic Ocean. App
e karoo basin
ssic) generate
osits of Bahia
nt of the basin
ing trend, whi
st area, the ter
NNW - SSE
eposits repres
corresponds t
acustrine facie
he syn-rift stag
hermal subsid
onds to the C
n (late Hauter
eposited Mina
illo Formation
llows in uncon
m. in the SSE
ts position in
roclastic mate
hat are the ma
nd Santa Cru
. (2000). Furth
mention some
nference 2012
2

of the area of
located in the
it the onshore
proximately a
(Dingle et al.
es a series of
Laura Group
n.
ich represents
rtiary Andean
E orientation,
sented by Las
to terrigenous
es toward the
ge (Triassic
dence (Lower
Chubut Group.
rivian early
a Del Carmen
n (in the West
nformity Bajo
E of the basin,
n the basin as
erial occured,
ain gas and oil
uz Formations
hermore, SPC
e specific and
2
2
f
e
e
a

f
p
s
n
,
s
s
e

r
.
y
n
t
o
,
s
,
l
s
C
d

Reg
as a result,
approximatel
dimensions,
m but the av
0.15 to 0.35,
The
running in W
architecture i
Geo
produced by
conditioning
Fig


Pressure a

Res
dimensions,
distribution a
This last poin
remigration e
GSJB that d
garding sedim
many individ
ly 700 m th
spanning from
verage is aroun
what will dire
Figure2. Fluv
e field shows
W-E and WNW
instead of stru
ometry of jack
a basic, possi
the way to ap
gure3. Structu
analysis
ervoirs result
thus turning d
along the sedi
nt is usually a
events and to t
different rese
mentary aspect
dual sand bo
hick Bajo Bar
m few tens of
nd 3 m. Cons
ectly impact i
vial architectu
a simple stru
W direction c
uctural compa
k up structure
ibly Tertiary,
pply the metho
ural map and a
ting from de
difficult the id
imentary colum
attributed to th
the vertical di
ervoirs are not
s, accommoda
odies as well
rreal Formati
meters to mor
equently, the
n the analysis
ure variation a
uctural style w
can be recogn
rtments.
is perhaps the
sill intrusion
odology of res
a NW-SE seism
escribed loca
dentification o
mn could som
he complex, bu
isconnection m
t in hydraulic
ation space fo
as thick-ama
ion. Other co
re than 1 km i
local stratigra
s for vertical re

around the bas

where a smal
ized. Reservo
e main morpho
close to the to
servoir pressu

mic section w
al and region
of fluid conta
metimes seem,
ut widely stud
mostly found b
communicati
Ri
or fluvial sand
algamated san
onsequence o
in width. Extr
aphic column
eservoir conn
sin. SPC field
l number of n
oir compartme
ological-struc
op of Castillo
ure calculus pr
where jack up m
nal processes
acts within the
, at least on a
died, series of
between sand
on.
io Oil & Gas E
d deposits gen
nd bodies ca
of that is the
reme values fo
shows net to
ectivity and fl
is located betw
normal faults
entalization is
ctural feature o
o Formation (F
rocedure.
morphology c
exhibit lent
e same body.
first look, to
hydrocarbon
bodies. It is t
Expo and Con
neration varie
an be identifi
e wide range
or thickness ar
gross values
low units iden
ween I and II.
s dipping to th
s mainly defin
of the block. T
Figure 3). Thi
can be visualiz
ticular bodies
Furthermore,
follow a rand
migration, de
then common
nference 2012
3
d in time and
ied along the
e in reservoir
re 1 m and 15
ranging from
ntification.
.
he South and
ned by fluvial
The uplift was
is geometry is

zed.
s of reduced
vertical fluid
dom behavior.
gradation and
to assume for
2
3
d
e
r
5
m
d
l
s
s
d
d
.
d
r
Rio Oil & Gas Expo and Conference 2012
4
Even when SPC is not an exception to regional characteristics, some well logs show vertical communication
between two or more reservoirs. This fact suggested the possibility of a higher degree of connectivity, at least for SPC
field, than that one commonly assumed for GSJB. Hence, it became evident the need for further evaluation of the
connectivity within the field.
It was decided to perform a detailed analysis of pressure data obtained by means of open hole logging, even
knowing that several limitations should arise. Historically, pressure data acquisition in GSJB is focused on defining
local pressure and capacity of fluid flow in those reservoirs where log analysis and correlation predict oil production. As
a result, a proper set of pressure data that allows recreating the original gradient for the complete formation is usually
not available. Many different reasons could explain the cause of this historical situation, but they will not be addressed
here.
This lack of information showed to be counterproductive in many cases, introducing difficulties to reach a
good matching with specialties like geochemistry and conceptual geological models, which result most of the time in a
misunderstanding of the processes that effectively took place to establish the final configuration of the field. There are
exceptions for this rule and most of those examples ended in a good understanding of the global features of the field
under study.

SPC Original Pressure Gradient

Perhaps the most extreme cases of lack of information can be found in the oldest fields. As long as
development in SPC was started relatively recently, available information is enough to establish a trustable original
pressure gradient, but not without some considerations.
Early field data is very limited in quantity, laterally concentrated and measured along a small portion of the
stratigraphic column. It is thus necessary to include data acquired during several drilling campaigns to obtain a
meaningful set. But this decision also incorporates into the working series depleted points that mask the original
gradient and carry the particular problem that removing them from the set would require knowing the original gradient.
Therefore, a careful analysis was performed to identify and remove them. Something similar happens with
supercharging, in the sense that they also mask the magnitude to be determined.
These issues were addressed by working with two groups of data in parallel. The first one, including measured
pressures since year 2004 -begging of field development- up to early 2009 -V2009- and the second one also
incorporating data measured up to mid 2010 -V2010-. The first set is the less affected by depletion and supercharging,
while the second one incorporates more statistical data. Calculated original gradient and extension of depletion and
supercharging were checked to be consistent for both sets, thus reducing chances of noise introduction during the
cleaning process, but for simplicity only V2009 will be shown in this section.
Points potentially affected by supercharging were selected based on their departure from a first -rough- original
gradient and by inspecting the record of each measurement, one by one. It was found that they correspond to regions
where reservoirs show an average permeability of 2mD, whereas average permeability for valid measurements is 27mD.
Furthermore, affected points tend to be concentrated in the deepest reservoirs of the field, where permeability shows a
decreasing trend. This is consistent with the theory behind the principle of supercharging, thus enabling to catalog the
points in this way and to clean them from the general set.

k

xupercharg|ng
2mD
k

ua||d pu|ntx
27mD

p
xupercharg|ng
1. 21
gr
cm
3

p
mud
1. 23
gr
cm
3


Figure 4 shows the pressure measurements affected by supercharging and associated magnitudes.

y = 0.1209x + 42.349
R = 0.9879
y = 0.1188x + 28.32
R = 0.9478
0
50
100
150
200
250
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
b
a
r
)
Depth (mbnm)
Mud Pressure
Supercharging Points
Measured Data
Linear (Mud Pressure)
Linear (Supercharging Points)

Add
correspondin
correspondin
shows a dens
according to
second confi
Eve
the previous
also based on
Exa
by early 2010
depletion, thu


The
superchargin
with water of


ditionally, pre
ng mud pressu
ng for the form
sity of 1.02 gr
o field gradien
rmation of the
en when ident
analysis, it w
n their departu
amination show
0 and that the
us confirming
Figure 5
e final calcula
ng values, can
f moderate sal
essure gradien
ure points. Fig
mer ones is 1.
r/cm3. This m
nt, but they a
e superchargin
tification and
as possible to
ure from a rou
ws that more
eir quantity an
g the correct cl
shows the con
ation of the or
n be appreciat
linity having a
Figure 6
y = 0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
0
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
b
a
r
)
nts were calc
gure 4 shows
.23 gr/cm3. It
eans that thos
are rather show
ng nature of th
isolation of d
successfully p
ugh original gr
than 60% of
nd concentratio
lassification o
ncentration of
riginal pressur
ted in Figure
a value approx
6 shows the or
0.1006x + 26.044
R = 0.9897
200 400
Ogirinal Pressure
Linear (Ogirinal Pressur
culated for bo
that resulting
will soon be
se points catal
wing to be in
hose values.
depleted value
perform the ta
radient and th
these points w
on increases w
of the values u

f depleted valu
re gradient re
6. Outcome i
ximately equa
riginal pressur
600 800
Depth (mbsl
re)
Ri
oth, points af
g density for t
described tha
ogued to be su
n equilibrium
es within the g
ask. The scree
e correspondi
were concentr
with time (Fig
under consider
ues around ma
ferred to V20
indicates that
al to 1.02 gr/cm
re gradient of
0 1000 1
l)
io Oil & Gas E
ffected by su
the first ones
at original pre
ubject to supe
with drilling
general data s
ening of point
ing analysis of
rated around t
gure 5). This i
ration.
ain productive
009 data set, a
field gradien
m3.

the field.
1200 1400
Expo and Con
upercharging
is 1.21 gr/cm
essure gradien
ercharging are
g mud. Theref
set is more qu
s affected by d
f each record.
the most proli
s the expected

e intervals.
after cleaning
nt is equivalen
nference 2012
5
and for their
m3 , while the
nt for the field
not behaving
fore, this is a
ualitative than
depletion was
ific reservoirs
d behavior for
depleted and
nt, in density,
2
5
r
e
d
g
a
n
s
s
r
d
,
Rio Oil & Gas Expo and Conference 2012
6
Outcomes from Original Pressure

A point to rise to attention is that the field shows a water gradient, under original conditions, for the complete
productive interval. As long as SPC is a prolific hydrocarbon-producer field, it becomes clear that this water gradient
does not relates neither to reservoir fluid nor to movable fluid. It should rather be related to the last fluid that flowed
along main migration pathways.
Connection to surface has taken place in different regions along basin history. In fact, early and late
biodegradation process due to meteoric water influx through main migration pathways have been described by Jalfin et
al. 2000.
Also, knowing the average ground level in the region is around 360 m, it can be concluded from Figure 6 that
the original pressure gradient does not equates to cero at surface, but it rather reaches atmospheric pressure
approximately 100 m bellow it. This would indicate that the system has become isolated from surface since recent
times, perhaps during the Upper Tertiary.
It is therefore assumed that the last fluid filling the migration pathways was water, very likely meteoric water,
flowing along main faults that served as connection between surface and reservoirs. This is not only supported by
precedents in basin, but also by geochemistry information belonging to SPC.
Under these conditions each reservoir, or group of reservoirs, should have been forced by physics to
equilibrate its average pressure to the mentioned water column, thus generating the water gradient expressed by the
field under original conditions. This dynamics was kept in place until the system lost connection to surface, as
previously mentioned. As long as no other migration, erosion or uplift event has later affected the field, this original
gradient remained not altered after disconnection.
Each reservoir or group of reservoirs, on its turn, should have equilibrated its internal pressure according the
fluid saturating its pore space but keeping its average pressure at the value fixed by the original gradient. As illustrated
by Figure 7, this should derive in two different behaviors.
Connected reservoirs bearing water should locally express a water density with their average pressure at the
original gradient. In a practical aspect, disconnected reservoirs should have the same behavior regardless of the fluid
contained, because of the reduced vertical size of individual bodies. This first group should not present any particularity
within the original gradient.
On the other hand, connected reservoirs saturated in hydrocarbons should locally express a pressure evolution
according to a low-density fluid but keeping, of course, its average value according to the original gradient. Therefore,
in case of being present in the field, interconnected reservoirs should express themselves by a slight local deviation
from the original pressure gradient (Figure 7).


Figure 7 shows schematically the expected deviations from original pressure gradient.

The reader may remember that this pressure analysis was started with the aim of obtaining a better
understanding of the reservoir connectivity within the field. Therefore, the next step was to identify connected bodies by
means of previous findings.
The first attempt was to visually recognize and delimitate deviations from the original pressure gradient.
According to illustration of Figure 8 A, it soon became clear that this process is too subjective. Questions about the real
Data Points
Disconnected reservoirs or
connected intervals bearing water
Connected reservoirs with low fluid
Connected reservoirs with low fluid
Pressure
D
e
p
t
h

Original Gradient

meaning of
attempts of in
It w
contacts betw
over time wa
Figure 8 B s
results. It can
associated fit

Figure

Ana
meaningless
reservoirs. M
sometimes a
enables to ac

Calculus Pro

Und
potentially in
applying an o


Calc

visually recog
nterpreting tho
was also inten
ween differen
as analyzed a
shows an exa
n be appreciat
tting coefficie
e 8 shows pot
alysis perform
outcomes. N
Main limitatio
associated to s
cquire data in e
ocedure
der the light o
nterconnected
objective calc
Figure
culation routin
o Selection
not nam
because
correlati
o In order
reservoir
Productive
interval
mA
gnized deviat
ose possible d
ded to assess
nt reservoirs w
as well as rela
mple of a den
ted that, despi
ent is negligibl
Figure 8 A
ential deviatio
med to interv
Not even densi
on was the r
sampling limi
enough differ
of previous re
d sections of t
ulus procedur
e 9. Points sele
ne was constra
n of pressure
med reservoirs
correlation c
ion can later b
to ensure me
rs is to be cho
e
tions as well
deviations wer
connectivity
were observed
ationship of d
nsity calculat
te a reasonabl
le, thus turnin
ons from origi
vals was also
ity could prop
reduced numb
itation but oth
rent structural
esults it was d
the column, t
re. Routine ou
ected referred
ained by two b
points for de
contribute to
could introduc
be applied as a
eaningful dens
osen. Thus, de
as the limits
re performed,
by analyzing
d in well logs
depletion betw
ion for one o
le value obtain
ng any calculat

inal gradient (
applied to i
perly be calcu
ber of origin
her times to
positions.
decided to pro
through devia
utcome is calcu

d to mA and ca
basic conditio
ensity calculat
connectivity,
ce a bias. Ad
an independen
sity calculatio
epth referred to
mbmA
TVD S
Ri
of their vert
showing no r
g pressure dat
. Density was
ween neighbor
of those interv
ned for densit
tion meaningl
(A) and a not s
ndividual res
ulated by mea
nal-pressure p
the reduced s
ogram a calcu
ations from or
ulated density
alculations pe
ons:
tion should no
, therefore the
dditionally, if
nt source for c
ons, pressure d
o sea level be
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
1010 10
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
b
a
r
)
SS
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

io Oil & Gas E
tical extension
real coherence
ta correspondi
s calculated, a
rs wells was e
vals, in fact, t
ty, data disper
less.
Fi
successful den
servoirs, resul
ans of measur
points corresp
size of indivi
ulation routin
riginal pressu
y along the col
rformed in TV
ot be based o
ey must be tak
not used dur
rosschecking
data belonging
comes useless
020 1030 1040 1050
Reservoir Pressure - H100a
Linear (Reservoir Pressure
Depth (TVD SS)
Expo and Con
n arise. Of co
e.
ing to interva
average-press
evaluated, wit
that one that
rsion is very si
igure 8 B
nsity evaluatio
lting in the s
red pressure f
ponding to ea
idual bodies,
e with the go
ure gradient (F
lumn.

VD SS.
n sand correl
ken into consi
ring this calcu
outcomes.
g to temporari
s because of fi
1060 1070 1080
Depth (mbsl)
a to H103
- H100a to H103)
nference 2012
7
ourse, several
als were some
sure evolution
thout success.
gave the best
ignificant and
on (B).
same kind of
for individual
ach reservoir,
that does not
oal to identify
Figure 7), by
ation because
ideration, and
ulation stage,
ily equivalent
field structural
y = 0.0911x + 36.497
R = 0.1716
1090 1100 1110 1120
2
7
l
e
n
.
t
d
f
l
,
t
y
y
e
d
,
t
l
0
Rio Oil & Gas Expo and Conference 2012
8
relief.
During the characterization process, it was identified that marker A -mA- is present all along the field
and is essentially parallel to field relief. Therefore, data points are selected according to their
relative depth to marker A -mbmA- and then, density calculations are referred to mean sea level. It is
illustrated in Figure 9.

In order to obtain density values, calculus was controlled by the following parameters:

o POINTS: is the number of pressure points used to calculate density. This parameter is modified each time
a new outer iteration is performed.
o ITERATIONS: corresponds to the number of inner iterations performed by the routine. This is the number
of times that density is calculated for a given set of data points. The value that gives the best-fit -lowest
error- to the data set is the density corresponding to the iteration.
o g
min
/ g
max
: are the minimum and maximum densities allowed. If condition is not satisfied, data-window is
widened according to F1 and F2, and a new outer iteration is performed.
o F1: controls the maximum value that POINTS can adopt. That is, the maximum number of pressure points
that can be used to calculate a density.
o F2: controls the speed at which the data-window is widened -POINTS increased- for each new outer
iteration.

The routine is initialized with a small number of pressure POINTS to be used for the first density calculation,
in order to ensure that the calculation is performed as locally as possible. Pressure points are then selected according to
their relative position to mA. Most commonly, the first calculation using a reduced number of data points delivers a not
physical value for density, because of the intrinsic error introduced when measuring pressures in different wells and
with different tools.
Parameters used to check the physical sense of calculated density are g
min
and g
max
. Even when several values
were used in order not to introduce a bias with these parameters, final runs were performed adopting the following
values: g
min
0.8 gr/cm
3
according to lowest oil density present in the field and g
max
1.1 gr/cm
3
in coherence with the
maximum water salinity measured in SPC.
Consequently, if a calculated density falls outside the representative window, it is assumed that the number of
data points used for the calculation was too small thus resulting in a noisy value. Therefore, the number of POINTS is
increased with two considerations.
First, the number of points included in a density calculation cannot be increased indefinably. In the extreme
case, if there were no limit, all the pressure points acquired in the field could be included in a single calculation. In this
case a good convergence would be obtained but the outcome would be meaningless for the purpose of the analysis.
Number of points is therefore limited by F1. Of course, outer iterations should not and did not- frequently force
POINTS to be equal to F1, because this would be indicating at least a convergence problem.
Second, the speed at which the number of POINTS is increased must be controlled because of two different
situations. If it is increased too slowly, the is a significant risk that the calculated density be forced to equal the limit
that is not being fulfilled -g
min
or g
max
- instead of delivering a representative value. On the other hand, if it is increased
too quickly, calculation may converge to the average field density instead of the local value. Speed control is performed
by F2.


Equilibrium Regions

Figure 10 A shows the results for several realizations performed with different sets of calculation parameters,
where the legend details them listed in the same order as above. Even when the plot is somewhat noisy because of the
amount of data, it can be appreciated that different realizations tend to show the same deviations to low-density values.
In order to make visual interpretation more clear, the same data is presented smoothened in Figure 10 B. This
plot resumes results obtained by the calculation routine. It puts into evidence the existence of intervals bearing a
low-density fluid, which were initially masked behind the fields water gradient and remained unnoticed to
standard methodologies.
The red smoothened- line shows that several sections of the stratigraphic column are subject to a density
coherent with moderate-salinity water. This is the density expressed by the original pressure gradient of the field and the
corresponding intervals represent, according to previous explanations, disconnected reservoirs or connected ones but
saturated in water.
Deviations to low-densities should represent, also according to previous explanations, the presence of
interconnected reservoirs saturated in hydrocarbons. Thus, seven Gross Equilibrium Regions (GER) were found to be

present withi
secondary tar


Equilibrium

Mai
the hypothes
examination


Final equilib

Afte
connection
configuration



Inte
according to
in the main p
rget.
Figure 10 A
Figure 1
m regions vali
in seven gross
sis of equilib
stages were a
o Well log
o Areal be
o Capillary
indicates
o Lateral a
o Coheren
brium region
er the previo
for each on
n.
T
ervals represen
Figure 10 B.
productive inte
10 shows crud
dation
s equilibrium
brium. Althou
applied to each
gs were analyz
ehavior of net
y behavior of
s disconnectio
and vertical co
nce between fl
ns
ous analysis,
ne of the G
Table 1. Detai
nt the GERs,
Also include
erval of the fi

de -A- and smo
regions were
ugh with som
h one of these
zed in order to
to gross relati
f water satura
on between re
onsistency of
luid distributio
it was final
Gross Equilib
il of GERs and
described by
ed in the table
0.50
0.60
0.70
0.80
0.90
1.00
1.10
1.20
1.30
1.40
1.50
-6
C
a
l
c
u
l
a
t
e
d

D
e
n
s
i
t
y

(
g
r
/
c
m
3
)
ield and other

oothened -B-
carefully ana
me variations
regions suppo
o verify the pr
ionship: high
ation calculat
servoirs.
fluid distribut
on and water s
lly determine
brium Regio
d their corresp
their relative
e, for each GE
00 -400
Calculated
Smoothed
4 Gross Eq
within s
Ri
r four ones w
Fig
outcomes of t
lyzed in order
according to
osed to be in e
resence of con
values suppor
ed from petro
tion testing d
saturation.
ed the prese
ons. Table 1
ponding equili
e position to m
ER, are the co
-200 0
d Density
Data
7
w
quilibrium Regi
shallow reservoirs
io Oil & Gas E
within shallow
gure 10 B
the calculation
r to verify or
the particula
equilibrium:
ntact between
rt connectivity
ophysics: abs
data and log in
ence of hydr
shows the
ibrium region
mA and color
orresponding r
200 4
Depth (mbmA)
7 Gross Equilibr
within main prod
ons
s
Expo and Con
reservoirs th
n routine.
discard, if it w
arity of each
different reser
y and low one
ence of capil
nterpretation-.
rocarbons an
final equilib
ns.
red in light an
reservoirs, de
400 600
rium Regions
ductive interval
nference 2012
9
at represent a
were the case,
interval, five
rvoirs.
es does not.
llary behavior

nd reservoir
rium regions

nd dark green
pth of gas-oil
800 1000
2
9
a
,
e
r
r
s
n
l
0
Rio Oil & Gas Expo and Conference 2012
10
contact, bubble pressure, adopted oil-water contact and possible range and the number assigned to each region within
the static model as published by Rodrguez et al. (2011).
It can be appreciated that some GERs correspond to only one final equilibrium region, like actnums 16 and 17,
which proved interconnection between eight and ten different reservoirs. Even when these intervals show to be
massive equilibrium regions, on well logs they exhibit the presence of only one to three -four at maximum- of those
reservoirs with only a few meters of sandy bodies. Therefore, the nature of the interconnection cannot be understood
until an integrated analysis is performed.
Other GERs were divided, after the validation process, into more than one individual equilibrium region. The
concept of Gross Equilibrium Region was therefore introduced in order to differentiate between gross and individual
equilibrium regions.


Conclusions

Even when data quality is affected by limitations related to the low sampling rate during the initial stages of
field development, as well as to the sampling limitations due to the reduced size of individual reservoir bodies, pressure
information proved to be essential when estimating original field conditions.
A careful analysis was performed to the general set of pressure data in order to establish the original pressure
gradient for the field, which showed to be represented by water density for the complete column. As long as SPC is a
prolific hydrocarbon-producer field, it soon become clear that this water gradient does not relates neither to reservoir
fluid nor to movable fluid. Furthermore, the identification of vertical communication between two -or more- reservoirs
in some well logs showed the possibility a higher degree of connectivity, at least for SPC field, than that one commonly
assumed for GSJB.
An hypothesis was generated to explain the way in which potential connectivity should express itself within
the original water gradient of the field. Based on that, a calculation routine was then programmed in order to objectively
evaluate slight deviations from the original pressure gradient, thus obtaining local values for density that repeatedly
diverge from field general behavior.
After several realizations, seven gross equilibrium regions were initially identified. A validation process,
applied to each one of those gross regions, by analyzing the consistency between pressure data, petrophysical analysis,
geological characterization of sand bodies and production tests has finally verified the presence of 17 individual
equilibrium regions related to the gross ones.
Therefore, connectivity and hydrocarbon saturation was found for each section of the stratigraphic column
identified by the calculation routine as a gross equilibrium region. Furthermore, the procedure followed allowed to
identify the intervals having more than 95 percent of fields OOIP, based only on original pressure data and a regional
geological marker. Only four equilibrium regions were not recognized, and later added for completeness of the
geological model, but having a marginal portion of the OOIP.
The calculus procedure developed proved to be a powerful methodology for establishing the first equilibrium-
region description for the complete Bajo Barreal formation along an entire field, by unlocking information hidden
behind the fields water gradient. It is understood that a better pressure sampling process during the initial stages of
field development could increase the precision of the methodology and enable the calculation routine to identify
individual equilibrium regions instead of gross ones.


References

DINGLE, R. V. Slump Structures on the Outer Continental Margin of Southwestern Africa. Studies in Geology 15,
Volume 1: Seismic Expression of Structural Styles: A Picture and Work Atlas, Edited by A. W. Bally, 1983. Pages
24 30, 1983.
FIGARI, E., CID DE LA PAZ, M. and LAFFITE, G. Modelos de hemigrbenes en el Neocomiano del sector occidental
de la Cuenca del Golfo San Jorge, Argentina: sistemas petroleros, origen e inversin tectnica. Boletn de
Informaciones Petroleras, 52:5-17, 1997.
FITZGERALD, M., MITCHUM Jr., R., ULIANA, M.A. and BIDDLE, K. Evolution of the San Jorge Basin. Amer.
Assoc. Petrol. Geol.., Bull. 74:879-920, 1990.
JALFIN, G.A., BELLOSI, E., ZANAGUA, J. and VILLAR, H. Procesos mltiples de migracin, alteracin y mezcla en
petrleos de la Cuenca del Golfo San Jorge: Una evolucin geoqumica integrada. IV Congreso de Exploracin y
Desarrollo de Hidrocarburos, Actas 1:445-465. Mar del Plata, Argentina, 2000.
RODRIGUEZ, R., CAPRIOGLIO, P., LOSS, L. and AGUIRRE, H. Caracterizacin de reservorio y modelo esttico.
Delineacin de un yacimiento complejo. VIII Congreso de Exploracin y Desarrollo de Hidrocarburos. Instituto
Argentino del Petrleo y del Gas. November, 2011. Mar del Plata Argentina, 2011.