Restech Limited

Donald L Luffel

Robert P Alger

Joseph M Hawkins

Thomas G Harris

A method for predicting the hydrocarbon/water contact level for oil and gas wells which relates porosity .phi., water saturation S.sub.w, air permeability k.sub.a, and capillary pressure P.sub.c. Such contact level may be estimated without actual capillary pressure measurements. The method relies on a worldwide correlation of permeability and porosity to a function of capillary pressure. The hydrocarbon/water contact levels are predicted through regression analysis using porosity .phi., water saturation S.sub.w, and air permeability k.sub.a from well log and core analysis information. Relationships used in this method include ##EQU1## where P.sub.c is mercury capillary pressure, F.sub.g is pore geometrical factor, S.sub.w is water saturation, P.sub.d is mercury displacement pressure, k.sub.a is air permeability, and .phi. is porosity. The constants set forth in equations (b) and (c) above may be adjusted to fit measured data from rock samples within the reservoir.

Method for determining hydrocarbon/water contact level for oil and gas

For a formation zone of a well, a method for determining the relationship between bulk volume of oil .phi..sub.o as a function of total effective formation porosity .phi..sub.E and height h above the oil water contact from capillary pressure data of a core taken from the formation of the well is disclosed. The disclosed relationship of the form,

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Donald L Luffel