Although improvement in hydraulic-fracture properties and infill drilling remains the focus of recovery enhancement from the Bakken, low oil recoveries and steep initial decline rates are experienced in primary-recovery operations, even after application of multifractured-horizontal-well technology. Therefore, many pilots have been executed to determine the viability of waterflooding for maintaining oil rates and improving recoveries through reservoir-pressure maintenance and sweep-efficiency enhancement. This paper presents the performance results from one of the waterflood pilots in the Viewfield Bakken.
Numerical-Model Setup
A section of the Bakken reservoir (the geology of which is described in detail in the complete paper) deemed to be representative of the waterflood performance in Viewfield is considered for modeling. This section has been developed by use of multifractured horizontal wells completed in the Middle Bakken (main target reservoir) with a well spacing of 200 m (eight wells per section, named A through H). All eight wells started oil production within a similar time frame, and, after approximately 1 year of production, every other well was converted to a water injector.
Reservoir-Fluid Model.
