Date of Award

Spring 2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Committee Chair

Todd Hoffman

First Advisor

David Reichhardt

Second Advisor

Glenn Shaw

Abstract

Wells within the Northeast (NE) Elm Coulee produce significantly higher water cuts than wells within Elm Coulee Proper. The purpose of this work was to identify the source of produced water in the NE Elm Coulee. An area within the NE Elm Coulee was selected for a numerical flow simulation analysis, and a total of three models of the project area were constructed by isolating production mechanisms to determine the source of produced water in the NE Elm Coulee. A Separate Tank model was constructed to determine if the source of the produced water was matrix water saturation in the Middle Bakken. Two Vertical Migration models were constructed to determine if the source of the produced water was from vertical migration from the Three Forks formation into the Middle Bakken via hydraulic fracture flow paths or natural fracture networks in the Lower Bakken shale member. The models were constructed using data from various sources, and each model was history matched by matching simulated and observed fluid rates and cumulative volumes. The impact of natural fracture networks in the Middle Bakken on fluid production was determined in the modeling process through the use of a discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling technique. The modeling and history matching processes identified matrix water saturation in the Middle Bakken as the most likely source for the produced water in the NE Elm Coulee.

Comments

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering

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