Resource Estimates

RPS Energy Canada's geoscience associates utilize a variety of mapping and modelling software to generate reliable geological models to generate hydrocarbon-in-place estimates. The specific software modules utilized depends on the nature of the data and the reservoir, with emphasis being placed on integration of geological data sets into the geophysical analysis. Seismic integration software used ranges from WinPics™ to Landmark. Full integration of log and hydrodynamic information are key components of any project database. The company employs a range of petrophysical software including QLA™ and Prism™. Analysis provides a full volumetric reservoir characterisation that can be the basis for OIIP/GIIP estimates and further petroleum engineering analysis.

RPS employs SURFER™ and APPRENTICE™ to calculate NRV's and @RISK™ to undertake probabilistic assessment of hydrocarbon in place and reserves.

RPS has hands-on experience with a number of 3D static packages to provide visualisation of the reservoir model for data integration, communication and development planning purposes; and to set-up dynamic reservoir simulation models. RPS has hands-on expertise with Earthvision™, Stratamodel™, IRAP/RMS™ and GoCAD™.

Well Test Analysis

PanSystem™ is a product of Edinburgh Petroleum Services Ltd., in the UK. This is a Windows™-based, fully functional, pressure transient analysis package which includes specialised plots, type curve analysis, rate convolution, test simulation, full derivative analysis, and production prediction capabilities.

Material Balance Analysis

MBAL™ is an advanced material balance analysis program developed by Petroleum Experts in the UK for determining hydrocarbons in place and estimating aquifer size, type, and strength. It is particularly useful for modeling reservoirs with multiple, poorly connected compartments. Comprehensive well inflow, outflow, and constraint capabilities are available, together with an extensive suite of analytical waterflood performance estimation routines.

RPS also subscribes to Fekete’s Rate-Transient Analysis package (RTA™), which offers the ability to analyze both production rate and flowing pressure data for gas and oil wells. A number of conventional and advanced type-curve decline analysis method allow the estimation of hydrocarbons in-place, expected reserves, and reservoir parameters (k.h, skin) without ever having to shut-in wells.

Field Performance Analysis

OilField Manager™ (OFM™) is a database application product from Schlumberger-GeoQuest and was developed for visual-based monitoring of well and field performance. Mapping functions allow display of any variables in the database, including production histories, decline curves and bubble/trend. Powerful user-defined variables can also be developed to assist with the monitoring of both primary reservoir performance (gas or oil) as well as a field’s waterflood/EOR response. Production data can be pre-processed and organised in OFM™ for input into a reservoir simulator.

RPS uses both Decpro™ and OFM™ for analysing well decline history and predicting production performance using exponential, hyperbolic or harmonic declines to fit rate data.

Reservoir Simulation

RPS commonly uses Eclipse™ 100 for large-scale projects. Eclipse™ 100 is a fully implicit, three-phase, general purpose, black-oil simulator capable of building 3D models incorporating large numbers of wells. The simulator includes full aquifer connection and modelling capability, robust numerical solution techniques, and strongly visual input and output features. It offers multiple options for minimising grid block sensitivities, including local grid refinement and a hybrid grid capability. The Eclipse™ reservoir simulator contains a comprehensive set of well and hierarchical group controls. RPS uses Eclipse™ 300 for compositional and thermal simulation problems.

As a precursor to finite difference modelling, especially in waterfloods or miscible floods, RPS also utilises RESASSIST/3DSL™ developed by Epic Consulting and StreamSim Technologies. This streamline simulation software can provide much more rapid, early validation of large, detailed geological models than finite difference modelling and is a powerful tool for visualisation of flow in the reservoir.

RPS has also utilised finite difference simulation tools developed by the Computer Modelling Group (CMG) on a client-requested basis. Specifically, RPS has used the Generalised Equation of State compositional reservoir simulator (GEM™); the Steam, Thermal and Advanced Processes Reservoir Simulator (STARS™); and the Implicit-Explicit black oil simulator (IMEX™).

For projects that do not require these sophisticated tools, RPS uses the Gemini Merlin™ black oil reservoir simulator, which permits faster and simpler reservoir analyses.

Economic Evaluations

Economic evaluations are undertaken using Merak’s PEEP™ package, which provides various fiscal templates including Canadian royalty regimes. For International and Frontier projects, RPS Energy has developed a number of project specific spreadsheet analysis programs incorporating local fiscal regimes and production contracts.