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COMMITTEES
Conference Committee
Registration Committee
Finance Committee
Baldev Gill
Co-Chairperson
City of Long Beach
Steve Cheung
IOR
Baldev Gill
City of Long Beach
Pam Whitney
SPE Volunteer PRA
Short Course Committee
Field Trip Committee
AB Gorashi Abdulrahman
Division of Oil, Gas &
Geothermal Resources
Ted Frankiewicz
Co-Chairperson
Spec Services
Andrei Popa
Technical Program
Chairperson
Chevron
Tom Walsh
Western North America
Regional Director
Petrotechnical Resources of Alaska
Exhibits / Sponsorship
Committee
Brian Tran
Baker Hughes
Uduak Ntuk
City of Long Beach
Rick Finken
Consultant
John Jepson
City of Long Beach
Devon Shay
Signal Hill Petroleum Inc.
Student Paper Competition
Iraj Ershaghi
University of Southern California
Website Committee
Larry Gilpin
Consultant
Albert Pernia
Consultant
Uduak Ntuk
City of Long Beach
Susan Weinfurther
California Resources Corporation
Alejandra Ulloa
Technical Program Committee
Andrei Popa
Technical Program Chairperson
Chevron
Malcolm Allan
Aera Energy
Stephen Cheung
IOR
Abhijit Dandekar
University of Alaska – Fairbanks
Nabil El Shaari
California Resource Company
Iraj Ershaghi
University of Southern California
Anthony Kovscek
Stanford University
Dr. Mason M. Medizade
Cal Poly State University
Shirish Patil
University of Alaska – Fairbanks
A. M. Sarem
Sarem Consulting
Rakesh Trehan
California Resource Company
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WELCOME MESSAGE
Dear Colleagues,
We invite you to attend the 2015 SPE Western Regional Meeting, 27 – 30 April at the Hyatt Regency
Orange County Hotel, Garden Grove, California, which is less than 10 minutes’ drive to Disneyland,
Anaheim USA.
This year we have an exceptional and diverse program covering thermal, conventional and
unconventional operations from Alaska to California. In addition to the 84 Technical presentations, the
conference program includes 4 short courses and 3 Field Trips. 84 Technical presentations will be
delivered by colleagues from California, Texas, Canada, Norway, Alaska, Pennsylvania and more. The
program also includes an oil industry panel discussion which will present the views of industry leaders
from several major operating and service companies.
The program also includes an oil industry panel discussion which should be of interest to all. On
Wednesday morning, representatives of some California and Alaska oil companies will discuss their
business strategies. The list includes Brad Tomer, General Manager, Systems Engineering and
Advanced Technology, GE Oil and Gas, David L. Slater, Executive Vice President CEO Signal Hill
Petroleum, Shawn M. Kerns Executive Vice President CRC, and Eric West, Vice President, NonOperated Businesses, BP Alaska. Our panelists on Thursday morning will discuss a topic of interest to all
and that is OPEC Oil Pricing and Unconventional Resources . Among the panelist are a renowned
professor of economics from USC, Dr. Pesaran, who has extensively researched oil pricing, Dr. Emler
Dougherty an emeritus prof at USC who actually developed a price forecasting model for OPEC in the
1980's, Dr. Christine Economides from University of Houston presenting on the advances of
unconventional resource technology and finally John Staub from EIA to give the latest on domestic
production and activities in US Unconventional Resources. In the Technical sessions you will hear
opening presentations by Dr. Norm Morrow on Lo Sal Water flooding, by Dr. Don Paul on Physical &
cyber security of oilfields, by Dr. Vic Ziegler on the status of Thermal Recovery, and by Dr. Fred
Aminzadeh on Induced Seismicity and Hydraulic fracturing, and on the Challenges of Drilling
Technology by one of the pioneers, Dr. Keith Milheim. Former SPE President Dr. Ganesh
Thakur will also start a session on reservoir management. Given the diversity of technical topics and
the presence of top talent within our industry, we hope that you will actively plan to participate in this
year’s Western Regional Meeting.
The Conference and Program committee look forward to seeing you all at the event.
Sincerely,
Baldev Gill
City of Long Beach
Co-Chairperson
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Ted Frankiewicz
Spec Services
Co-Chairperson
Andrei Popa
Chevron
Technical Chairperson
REGIONAL DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Welcome to the 2015 SPE Western Regional Meeting. Our theme this year covers thermal operations,
conventional and unconventional plays from California to Alaska, offering a broad range of very exciting
topics. And, we’ll be meeting in close proximity to “The Happiest Place on Earth”, Disneyland.
Our Technical Program Committee has prepared a diverse and stimulating program, which will have
something for everyone. We have events for Young Professionals, four continuing education courses,
two panel discussions with industry leaders from across the region, and experts on oil and gas market
drivers and trends. Attendees of the Regional Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 29 will be treated
to a keynote speech by 2015 SPEI President, Dr. Helge Hove Haldorsen, Vice President of Strategy and
Portfolio, and Mexico Country Manager for Statoil Development and Production North America.
SPE offers such tremendous value to members in transfer of knowledge; professional and social
networking opportunities; and competency development. The fact that this year is challenging in the
industry due to low oil price further magnifies SPE’s value to members. I look forward to a rewarding
and fun experience with all of you in Anaheim.
I am very proud of the SPE Los Angeles Basin Section leadership, and all of the capable and dedicated
volunteers who have organized this meeting. It is only through their hard work and coordination that
meetings like this can occur, and member participation in the meetings is the key driver behind all this
activity. I look forward to seeing you in Anaheim.
Best regards,
Thomas Walsh
SPE Western North America Region Director
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The Los Angeles Basin Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers want to
thank the sponsors and exhibitors of the 2015 Western Regional Meeting:
SPONSORS
Platinum Sponsor:
Petrotechnical Resources of Alaska, LLC
Gold Sponsor:
EOR Alliance c/o IFP Canada
Silver Sponsors:
Spec Services, Signal Hill Petroleum
and
Glen Swanson of Sterling Consulting
Bronze Sponsor:
Simpson & Simpson Management Consulting
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EXHIBITORS
(as of 24 March 2015)
Black Gold
Booth Nos. 13 & 14
Neuralog
Booth No. 12
Blue Spark Energy
Booth No. 23
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Booth No. 1
C&J Energy Services
Booth No. 2
PCL Industrial Services
Booth No. 16
Data Physics Instruments GmbH
Booth No. 22
Pengo Wireline of California
Booth No. 24
Ecometer Company
Booth No. 9
Siemens
Booth No. 17
Enviro-Tech
Booth No. 4
Spec Services
Booth No. 6
EOR Alliance c/o IFP Canada
Booth No. 7
The Source Group, Inc
Booth No. 11
Geomechanics Technologies
Booth No. 8
TL Drumco
Booth No. 5
Hydraulic Rod Pumps International
Booth No. 10
Veolia Water Tech
Booth No. 3
KUDU
Booth No. 18
Weatherford Laboratories
Booth No. 15
Thank you all for your contribution. This would not be possible without you!!
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CONFERENCE AGENDA
The conference is scheduled for the following days in April. Click any date to jump to that section.
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Monday, April 27 th
Tuesday, April 28 th
Wednesday, April 29 th
Thursday, April 30 th
Short Courses and Field Trips
Short Courses and Student Paper Contest
California to Alaska Operational Panel and Technical Sessions
OPEC Oil Pricing and Unconventionals Panel and Technical Sessions
CONFERENCE VENUE
Hotel Address and Website:
Hyatt Regency Orange County
11999 Harbor Blvd
Garden Grove, CA 92840, US
http://orangecounty.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Direct Reservations for this event can be made by
going to the following URL:
https://resweb.passkey.com/go/SPEWesternRegion2015
Meeting Location:
Hyatt Regency Royal Hall CDEF Layout:
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M O N D A Y, A P R I L 2 7th 2 0 1 5
Short Courses 8am to 5pm
1. Thermal Oil Recovery, Terrace A-C Room
Steam injection, and thermal recovery in particular, is the most popular enhanced oil recovery
method. This one-day course is intended to cover thermal recovery principles and practice
from analytical models for vertical wells to field-scale simulation. Both steam injection and insitu combustion methods are examined. The course consists of lecture, examples, and case
studies.
Topics

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



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Heavy-oil overview: physical properties and thermal recovery processes/potential
Fundamentals of thermal recovery: viscosity versus temperature functions, and thermal
expansivity of oil and rock
Fundamentals of thermal recovery: viscosity versus temperature
Analytical and semi-analytical models for evaluation of cyclic steam and steam -drive
recovery efficiency.
Wellbore heat losses
Case studies of field implementation
Overview of steam assisted gravity drainage
In-situ Combustion from laboratory tests to field studies
Who Should Attend
This course is intended for engineers and geologists who wish to expand their knowledge of
thermal recovery methods and heavy oil. Primarily a reservoir engineering viewpoint is taken.
Prior experience with steam injection, in-situ combustion, and heat and mass transfer in
porous media is not assumed.
Instructors
Tony Kovscek is a Professor of Energy Resources Engineering and Director
of the SUPRI-A project on Thermal and Unconventional Hydrocarbon
Recovery. He holds Ph.D. and B. S. degrees from the University of
California, Berkeley and the University of Washington, respectively.
Louis Castanier is Technical Manager of SUPRI-A. He holds Ph.D., M.E.,
and B.S degrees from Toulouse University. Collectively, the SUPRI-A
group has contributed over 250 reports and papers on thermal and heavy
oil recovery to the literature.
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Field Trips
1. THUMS Island Tour – Long Beach Harbor, CA
Ever wonder what those lovely islands in Long Beach Harbor are? Many Long Beach natives
themselves wonder just that. They are in fact the four Long Beach (THUMS) production islands
producing the eastern portion of the Wilmington Oil Field.
The Wilmington field, discovered in 1932, is one of the 5 largest oilfields in the US. The THUMS
islands, built in the 1960s, allow the eastern portion of the field to be produced with
environmental, spatial and logistical efficiency. Come and learn how these islands are both
beautiful and practical.
The tour will include a boat ride around Long Beach Harbor, a behind -the-scenes tour of one of
the islands, a close-up view of an active drill rig, the production office where all the island
wells are monitored, and award-winning landscaping designed by the same architect who
created Disneyland’s Tomorrow Land. If we’re lucky, we may
also see some marine life along the way!
Notes: The entire tour should take less than 2 hours.
Promptness is necessary; otherwise you might miss the boat.
Safety/Personal Protective Equipment: All must wear closed toed, flat shoes (no heels or open-toed shoes allowed).
Goggles and hardhats will be provided. No children under 12
years old.
Uduak Ntuk, a Petroleum Engineer with the City of Long
Beach, will be leading this field trip.
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2. Signal Hill Petroleum Company – Tour of Urban Drilling Operations
Signal Hill Petroleum is a
privately
owned
Californiabased energy company that
specializes in the exploration,
development and production of
crude oil and natural gas in
urban areas. With a set of core
values rooted in a transparent
business philosophy, honest approach, and concern for the environment, the company strives
to be an excellent neighbor and community partner.
During its three decades of operation, Signal Hill Petroleum has developed a unique expertise
not only in urban oil and gas production operations, but also in urban drilling and seismic
exploration.
Signal Hill Petroleum has lead the way in establishing operating techniques and tech nologies
that have been the foundation for successfully co-existing with closely spaced residential and
commercial neighbors. Their ability to successfully operate in such close proximity to homes
and businesses is entirely unique and unprecedented within the industry.
By pioneering and utilizing new
technologies while recruiting
and retaining incredible talent
in their human resources,
Signal Hill Petroleum has taken
on the challenges brought on
by this urban environment.
Signal Hill Petroleum is also
committed to investing in the
communities
where
their
business resides, and are
proud to partner with local
programs that directly benefit
local residents and businesses.
3. Billion Barrel Bike Ride
Join us for the first ever Billion Barrel Bike Ride in Long Beach on April 27, 2015.
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We will enjoy great ocean views as we bike ride through portions of the Wilmington, Seal
Beach and Long Beach oil fields. These three oil fields have produced over 3.75 billion barrels
of oil from as many as 10,000 wells
during the past 94 years. We will ride
past beaches, wetlands, industrial centers
and the homes of over 500,000 people.
We will meet at the Bikestation in
Downtown Long Beach, ride down the
bike trail past Thums Island Grissom and
White. At the Bixby Park overlook we will
discuss
the
development
of
the
Wilmington Field and the offshore islands.
We will then ride down the bike trail south
through Belmont Shore to the Seal Oil
Field. In the Seal Beach field we will view
the proximity of urban development with
active oil field operation in a wetlands
environment. We will ride along the Newport Inglewood fault to the crest o f Signal Hill in the
Long Beach oil field. For those of us that need to walk up Hill St we will have more time to
inspect the proximity of wells, parks and new homes. At the top of Signal Hill we will have a
great view of the entire Los Angeles basin. From the top of Signal Hill we will wind our way
back to downtown Long Beach.
The total ride should cover about 16 miles.
Gas and Oil will be leading this trip.
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John Jepson, Senior Geologist with Long Beach
T U E S D A Y, A P R I L 2 8th 2 0 1 5
Short Courses 8am to 5pm
1. The Digital Engineer and the Unconventional Digital Oil Field,
Terrace A-C Room
Over the last several years, between the Shale Revolution, the Big Crew Change, the Digital Oil
Field and the prospect of falling oil & natural gas prices, the upstream Oil & Gas Industry has
to adapt to a number of significant trends. While trying to perform more like a factory, adopt
new digital technologies on limited budgets, onboard a new generation workforce while the
experienced workforce is headed for the door, raise safety performance, comply with higher
environmental expectations, reach out to communities not used to the oil patch, work both
more efficiently and effectively as well as find ways to get more oil out of more complex
reservoirs, at a lower cost, the industry barely has had time to catch its breath.
The intent of this one-day workshop is to help you pause and reflect on these changes and
better understand what they mean to your organization. You will learn more about the Digita l
Oil Field, what it takes to benefit from new technologies and work processes and what it takes
to fully enable these changes. You will learn more about the Digital Engineer and what this
new workforce is expecting from your company and what they can brin g to the new challenges
facing the industry.
The end game is not in collecting more data or adopting newer technology, it is gaining a
deeper insight into operations and into the reservoir and petroleum system and learning how
to act on that insight. Some of you will see these changes and feel that your company is
capable of transforming your operations and riding this new wave. Some of you will see these
changes are difficult barriers that cannot be overcome given your current state. Both
perspectives will be correct. Which side of this discussion would you rather be on?
Biography
Jim Crompton
Reflections Data Counseling
Jim retired from Chevron in 2013 after almost 37 years with the major
International Oil & Gas Company. After moving from Houston to Colorado
Springs, Colorado, Jim established the Reflections Data Consulting LLC to
continue his work in the area of data management and analytics for
Exploration and Production industry.
Jim was a Distinguished Lecturer for the Society of Petroleum Engine ers in 2010-2011,
speaking on the topic of “Putting the Focus on Data.” He is a frequent speaker at SPE
conferences on Digital/Intelligent Energy and the Data Foundation. His interests lie in the full
spectrum of the information value chain from data captu re, data management, data
visualization, data access, modeling and analytics, simulations and serious gaming.
Jim graduated from the Colorado School of Mines (BS in Geophysical Engineering in 1974 and
MS in Geophysics in 1976) before joining Chevron in Denver, Colorado. He later earned an
MBA degree (1996) from Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, Texas).
From 1999 to 2002, Crompton held the position of chair of the general committee of PIDX
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(Petroleum Industry Data Exchange), the API electronic co mmerce subcommittee. Jim was able
to influence the direction of the standards setting activities towards emerging technologies,
such as XML, and new electronic business models in the energy industry. Crompton worked on
the IT merger integration organization study team in 2001 as part of the Chevron & Texaco
merger which developed the IT organization structure. In acknowledgement of his
contributions in applications of information technology to business problems and in working to
develop industry standards in electronic data exchange, Jim was named a Chevron Fellow in
2002 and served as the chair of the Fellows Network from 2006 -2008.
In 2013, Jim co-authored a book, titled The Future Belongs to the Digital Engineer with Dr.
Dutch Holland, focusing on the issues of the impact of emerging digital technology on oil and
gas operations, the workforce impact of the Digital Engineer and the change management
challenges of trying to adopt this kind of transformational change on a large organization.
2. Hydraulic Fracturing, Terrace D-F Room
This short course focuses on basics of hydraulic fracturing, highlights challenges and pitfalls in
simulating shale wells, discusses the limitation for Arps decline curve models for reserve
estimation and finally compares the new proposed DCA models. The c ourse is designed to
provide participants with a big picture of shale resource development and forecasting
challenges.
Biography
Mohabbat Ahmadi
Assistant Professor
Dr. Ahmadi, assistant professor of Petroleum Engineering, joint the University of Alaska
Fairbanks after graduation from University of Texas at Austin in 2010. He has few years of
industrial experience in the areas of reservoir engineering and experimental research. At UAF
he teaches at both grad and undergrad levels. He supervised rese arch on CO2 EORSequestration in Alaska West Sak reservoir and Development Study of Umiat oil field on North
Slope of Alaska. Currently he, as principal investigator (PI), is leading a research group
examining development challenges for the Alaska Shublik shale.
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3. Integrated Waterflood Asset Management , Granada Room
1. Introduction
2. Reservoir Management Concept
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.
2.5.
Waterflood Asset Management
Waterflood Asset Management Guidelines
Water Flood Asset Management Requirements
Waterflood Recovery Efficiency
Waterflood Prospect Screening
3. Integrated Technology
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.
3.7.
3.8.
3.9.
Organizing and Collecting Data
Geological input
Reevaluation of Subsurface Data
Bypassed Oil
Geologic Reinterpretation based on Production History
Reservoir Heterogeneities
Integration of Geoscience and Engineering
Integrating Exploration and Development Technology
Integrated Reservoir Model – Appendix B
4. Waterflood Data
4.1. Data Acquisition, Analysis and Management
4.2. Laboratory Data
4.3. Field Data
5. Factors Influencing Waterflood Recovery
5.1. Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Water flooding
5.2. Important Factors Influencing Water Flood Recovery
5.3. Simulated Primary and Water Flood Results
6. Infill Drilling
6.1.
6.2.
6.3.
6.4.
Why Infill Drilling?
Results of Infill Drilling
Factors Contributing to Increased Recovery after Infill Drilling
Selection of Infill Wells
7. Waterflood Design
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7.1.
7.2.
7.3.
7.4.
7.5.
7.6.
7.7.
7.8.
7.9.
Design and Operation Process
Project Design Considerations
Reservoir Characterizations
Process and Operation Design
Equipment Design
Data Acquisition Design
Economic Evaluation
Why Some Waterfloods Fail ?
Example of Waterflood Design
8. Production Performance
8.1.
8.2.
8.3.
8.4.
8.5.
Volumetric Method
Empirical Methods
Classical Methods
Performance Curve Analyses
Reservoir Simulation
9. Surveillance
9.1.
9.2.
9.3.
9.4.
Key Factors in Waterflooding Surveillance
Water-Quality Maintenance
Monitoring
Case Histories
10. Field Operations
10.1.
10.2.
10.3.
10.4.
10.5.
Water System, Compatibility, and Treatment
Subsurface and Surface Fluid Control
Thought Items
Conversion versus Newly Drilled Wells
Methods of Increasing Injectivity
11. Waterflood Project Economics
11.1.
11.2.
11.3.
11.4.
11.5.
Economic Yardsticks
Data Needed
Economic Optimization
Economic Evaluation
Sensitivity Analysis
12. Case Studies
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12.1. Means San Andres Unit (Low Perm Carbonate – dolomite)
12.2. Elk Basin Madison (Fine to Med Grained Dolomite)
12.3. Denver Unit Waterflood (Medium-low Perm Carbonate)
12.4. Jay/LEC Fields (Offshore, N2 – Injection: Three Carbonate Reservoirs and One Sand
Reservoir)
12.5. Ninian Field (Offshore, Sandstone, Water Injection Started 6 Months after Production)
13. Case Studies – Participants
13.1. Include Example Case Study 1 from participants
13.2. Include Example Case Study 2 from participants
Who should attend? Reservoir Engineers, Petroleum and Production Engineers,
Geoscientists, and professionals involved with waterflood facilities, field o perations,
surveillance, waterflood design and development.
Biography
Dr. Ganesh Thakur
Dr. Ganesh Thakur is currently the President and Global Advisor for
Thakur Services, Inc., and he provides executive and technical advice on
Exploration & Production projects and training worldwide. Until June,
2014, he served as Vice President, Global Advisor and Fellow of Chevron
Energy Technology Company.
In this role, he worked on and/or provided technical advice and consultation on high impact
offshore, onshore, heavy oil, and unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. He is a worldrecognized leader in reservoir engineering & simulation, secondary recovery, reservoir and well
productivity improvement, heavy oil, horizontal well technology and EOR. He is also known for
the emergence of reservoir management (RM) —in particular waterflooding—as a key
interdisciplinary practice. Dr. Thakur has over 40 years of balanced operational, technical and
management experience, and an impressive list of publications and te aching engagements
conducted around the world. His skills and expertise are called upon widely in the design and
operation of reservoir management programs, mentoring technical professionals, and serving
as an ambassador of technical capabilities to National Oil Companies and Government
Ministries.
Dr. Thakur served as the 2012 Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE) Intl. President, serving
their 125,000+ members world-wide. He is an SPE Distinguished Member, and has served as
Technical Director – Reservoir for the Board of Directors, and SPE Distinguished Lecturer. Dr.
Thakur has authored over 60 technical articles and presidential columns, three books, edited
two SPE reprint series, and presented over 250 lectures/short courses around the world. He
was elected to represent the SPE on the National Petroleum Council (NPC), and he served as a
Board member of American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME).
He received SPE’s 2005 Reservoir Description and Dynamics award, 2006 Pennsylvan ia State
University’s outstanding alumni achievement award, and 1994 Orange County, California’s
Outstanding Engineer of the Year Award.
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Dr. Thakur earned a B.S. (Honors) degree with first rank in petroleum engineering from Indian
School of Mines, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in petroleum and natural gas engineering plus an
M.A. degree in mathematics from Pennsylvania State University. In addition, he earned an
executive MBA degree from Houston Baptist University. He has served as an adjunct professor
at USC, University of Texas (Permian Basin), University of Houston, Houston Baptist University,
and King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Student Paper Competition, Royal Room A
Lead Co-coordinators Iraj Ershaghi and Uduak Ntuk:
Students from Western Region North America Schools will be competing in the Petroleum
Engineering topics in the categories of BS, MS and PhD at the SPE Western region paper contest.
This year the host School is the University of Southern California.
Please plan to attend and encourage these future leaders of our industry.
08:30am-10:00am
BS Divsion
10:30am-12:30am
MS Division
10:30am-12:30am
MS Division
12:30pm-1:30pm
Lunch
01:30pm-3:30pm
PhD division
05:00–08:00pm
Dinner Banquet and awards ceremony
Welcome Reception / Ice Breaker
06:00–09:00pm
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All Participants Welcome
W E D N E S D A Y, A P R I L 2 9th 2 0 1 5
Oil Industry Panel Discussion from Alaska to California
07:45am to 09:45am, Royal Room A/B
Sponsored by Silver Sponsor, Signal Hill Petroleum
The Oil Panel discussion will peek inside the strategic operating lens of various companies from
independent to larger international operating companies based in California and Alaska. This will be
followed by an interactive Q&A session between the audience and the company executives.
Baldev S. Gill,
Panel Discussion Moderator
Mr. Gill has over 14 years of professional and academic research in the areas of reservoir
engineering practice, with specialty in reservoir simulation, field development, ga s blow down
studies, asphaltene precipitation and wettability. He has worked in the North Sea, Houston,
West Texas, Michigan, Hague, Wyoming and California for large international companies
including Schlumberger and Royal Dutch Shell. He has BEng (Hons) C hemical Engineering, MSc
Computer Aided Engineering, MSc Petroleum Engineering from Imperial College London and
Masters Chemical Engineering from Rice University. He has written and co -authored several
technical papers in SPE journals. Currently he is a pe troleum operations coordinator for Long
Beach Gas & Oil, operator of the 8 Billion barrel Wilmington oil Field, which is under active
waterflood.
Brad Tomer,
General Manager, Systems Engineering and Advanced Technology,
GE Oil and Gas | Houston, TX, USA
Brad Tomer is the General Manager, Systems Engineering and Advanced Technology, GE Oil
and Gas responsible for developing and implementing Systems Engineering processes and
procedures, creating multi-generational technology plans, and developing advanced
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technologies that will significantly contribute to the overall business and engineering strategy.
The role involves establishing strategic and tactical business plans for the Systems Engineering
and Advanced Technologies for Turbomachinery, Downstream, Subs ea, Drilling, and Surface
product lines. In addition, Mr. Tomer is responsible for collaborating with potential partners
and other GE leaders in the fields of Sensors and Controls, Mechanical, Electrical and
Electronics systems architecture. Prior to GE, Mr. Tomer served as a member of National Energy
Technology Laboratory’s executive team which oversaw the implementation of major science
and technology development programs in Fossil Energy, Office of Electricity, and Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Mr. Tomer served as Chief Operating Officer for NETL,
responsible for managing the day-to-day operations for the Lab. Mr. Tomer oversaw
institutional operations including Information Technology, Environmental, Safety and Health,
Human Resources, and Site Operations for five sites across the United States including
significant research laboratories in Morgantown, WV, Pittsburgh, PA and Albany, OR. In
addition, Mr. Tomer managed all business operations including Site Support Contracting,
Acquisition and Assistance, and, Budget, Finance and Accounting. Previously at NETL, he
served as Director of the Office of Major Demonstrations (OMD), overseeing a $3.5 billion
investment in carbon capture, utilization and storage from large point s ource emitters of carbon
dioxide.
In addition, Mr. Tomer served several years as NETL’s Director for the Strategic
Center for Natural Gas and Oil developing and implementing research and development
programs in oil and gas exploration, production, infras tructure and utilization. Prior to NETL, he
worked at the Belvoir Research, Development & Engineering Center as a petroleum engineer.
Mr. Tomer has 30 years experience in successfully moving technologies from concept to
deployment. He has a B.S. degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering from The
Pennsylvania State University, an M.B.A. from George Mason University, and a Masters degree
in economics from West Virginia University.
David L. Slater,
Executive Vice President CEO Signal Hill Petroleum
David L. Slater has been the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Signal Hill
Petroleum, Inc. since 1998, and has worked in the oil industry for more than 30 years.
Mr. Slater has been an important part of Signal Hill Petroleum’s growth in the last decade. As
the head of command on a daily basis, Mr. Slater guides a team of more than 100 employees in
production operations, drilling, exploration, real estate management, and community relations.
He also runs the day-to-day operations of Nodal Seismic, the geological imaging company
owned by Signal Hill Petroleum, created to gather 2D and 3D seismic data. His community
consciousness reinforces both companies’ missions to be a positive contributor to the
environment of which they’re a part.
His career began at Getty Oil Corporation where he was inspired by a dynamic culture of
engineers. He went on to become the regional drilling manager for the western United States at
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Santa Fe Energy Resources, later becoming the asset mana ger for coastal California. He then
joined Texaco as the regional director of new business development for the western United
States where he remained until he was introduced to Signal Hill Petroleum.
Engaged with the communities in which he works, Mr. Slater has served on a number of boards
throughout his career. He is passionate about his family, oil and gas, and America. He lives with
his wife and son in Huntington Beach.
Mr. Slater has a bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering from Cal Poly P omona and has
been a registered petroleum engineer in California since 1989.
Shawn M. Kerns,
Executive Vice President CRC
Shawn M. Kerns was appointed Executive Vice President-Corporate Development of CRC in July
2014.
Mr. Kerns previously served as President and General Manager of Occidental of Elk Hills and
Vintage Production California from December 2010 to July 2014 and previously held other
technical and managerial roles throughout CRC’s California operations. Shawn also worked 5
years in international assignments where he was the Vice President of Operations for Occidental
Petroleum of Qatar.
Mr. Kerns has over 23 years of oil and gas industry experience and holds a Bachelor of Science
in Electrical Engineering degree from the Universit y of Oklahoma, studied Business and
Managerial Economics at University of California, Los Angeles and is a licensed Petroleum
Engineer.
Eric West
Vice President, Non-Operated Businesses, BP Alaska
Eric West was named VP of BP’s Non-Operated Alaska businesses in 2015. In this role he is
responsible for BP’s interests in the greater Kuparuk area, the Milne Point Field and the Liberty
Field.
During Eric’s 32-year career he has held various subsurface and leadership positions in Alaska,
20
the lower 48 and international locations. He managed the recent sale of assets to Hilcorp in
Alaska, lead a team to design and install a heavy oil pilot in Alaska, served as Strategy and
Planning Manager, the Prudhoe Bay reservoir assurance manager and the infrastructure-led
exploration manager.
Eric began his career with ARCO International in Los Angeles, California as an exploration
geologist. He has worked in Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and China. He was Chief G eologist
at Prudhoe Bay when BP acquired ARCO.
Technical Sessions 10am to 5pm
01 Data Driven Analytics
Terrace A-C
The session discusses the application of data driven models for failure detection, production and
reservoir optimization. The presentations will discuss application of neural networks, pattern
recognition, streams analytics and classification in specific case studies.
Session Chairperson(s):
Peter Ashton, Aera Energy LLC
David Shepherd, Chevron North America E&P
1000
174015
Autoencoder-derived Features as Inputs to Classification Algorithms for Predicting Well
Failures
J. Liu, University of Southern California; K. Yao, Information Sciences Institute; C.
Raghavenda, D. Guo, A. Jaiswal, University of Southern California; A.N. Patel, Chevron ETC;
A. Anvar, Chevron ETC (BSS) (BO); C.M. Crawley, A.S. Popa, Chevron Corporation
1025
174024
Interactive Web Based
W. Phillips, Wansco
1050
174044
Predicting Compressor Valve Failures from Multi-Sensor Data
O. Patri, University of Southern California; N. Reyna, Chevron Information Technology
Company; A. Panangadan, V. Prasanna, University of Southern California
1115
174074
The Development of Artificial-neural-network-based Universal Proxies to Study Steam
Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) and Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) Procedures
Q. Sun, The Pennsylvania State University; T. Ertekin, Pennsylvania State University
Alternate
21
3D
Wellbore
Viewer
Enables
Collaborative
Analysis
173995
Prediction of Remaining Life in Pipes using Machine Learning from Thickness
Measurements
M. Sharifi Sarabi, University of Southern California; k. Yao, Information Science Institute;
C.S. Raghavendra, I. Ershaghi, University of Southern California; R. House, J. Blouin,
Chevron
02 Reservoir Description and Dynamics
Terrace D-F
This session addresses a new EOR technology and improvements in the EOR prediction tool kits
using laboratory and a novel computer approach.
Session Chairperson(s):
Malcolm Allan, Aera Energy LLC
A M Sarem, Improved Petr Recovery Conslt
1000
174032
An Experimental Investigation of Viscous Oil Recovery Efficiency as a Function of Voidage
Replacement Ratio
T. Kim, Stanford University; E.S. Vittoratos, Consultant to BP; A.R. Kovscek, Stanford
University
1025
174065
Capillary Pressure Measurement Using Reservoir Fluids in a Middle Bakken Core
S. Karimi, H. Kazemi, Colorado School of Mines
1050
174034
Applying Machine Learning Techniques to Interpret Flow Rate, Pressure and Temperature
Data From Permanent Downhole Gauges
C. Tian, R.N. Horne, Stanford University
1115
174028
Imaging-Based Study of Relative Permeability Response to Temperature in Diatomaceous
Rocks
B. Vega, A.R. Kovscek, Stanford University
Alternate
1515
174017
1530
174038
Denoising of Seismic Data Using Curvelet Transformation: The Effect of Desnoising on the
Content of the Data
H. Dashtian, M. Sahimi, University of Southern California
Modeling and Simulation of WAG Injection Processes - The Role of Counter-Current Flow
M. Sherafati, K. Jessen, University of Southern California
03 Fracturing Technologies I
Royal A-B
The subjects covered in this session are advances in proppants, fracturing fluids, and diagnostic and
modeling tools for unconventional reservoirs.
Session Chairperson(s):
Ali Takbiri Borujeni, West Virginia University
22
Ray Clanton, California Resources Corporation
1000
174060
Application of Microproppant to Enhance Well Production in Unconventional Reservoirs-Laboratory and Field Results
J. Dahl, Devon Energy; P.D. Nguyen, R.G. Dusterhoft, J. Calvin, S. Siddiqui, Halliburton
1025
174054
Predicting Frac Stage Differential Stress and Microseismicity Using Geomechanical
Modeling and Time Lapse Multi-Component Seismic- Application to the Montney Shale
A. Ouenes, FracGeo; Y.E. Aimene, J. Nairn, Oregon State University
1050
174023
Optimizing Fracture and Flowback Processes: A Field and Simulation Study
H. Dehghanpour, O.A. Adefidipe, University of Alberta; C.J. Virues, Nexen Energy ULC
1115
174026
Impact of Remaining Water in Hydraulic Fractures on Well Productivity - Field Examples
from Saudi Arabian Sandstone Reservoirs
Z. Rahim, A. Kanaan, Saudi Aramco PE&D; J. Pacheco, Halliburton Saudi Arabia
Alternate
1530
174040
23
Stability Analysis Of Multilateral Horizontal Wells In Unconventional Reservoirs
M.O. Ostadhassan, University of North Dakota; S. Zamiran, University of Southern Illinois;
H. Jabbari, University of North Dakota
Keynote/Awards Luncheon
11:45am to 01:15pm, Casa Vecina
Sponsored by Platinum Sponsor, Petrotechnical Resources Alaska
24
Directions to Casa Vecina
25
Keynote speaker:
Helge Hove Haldorsen
Helge Hove Haldorsen currently holds the positions of VP Strategy & Portfolio and Mexico
Country Manager for Statoil Development and Production North America in Houston. Helge has
an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from The Norwegian Institute of Technology in Trondheim and
a PhD in Reservoir Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Helge was a Second
Lieutenant in The Royal Norwegian Navy and held various positions within reservoir engineering
at Esso Exploration Norway in Stavanger, Sohio Petroleum Company in San Francisco and
Anchorage and The British Petroleum Company in London. Helge joined Hydro in 1987 and held
a number of key management positions with the company: Chief Reservoir Engineer, VP
Exploration & Research and President E&P International. After the acquisition of the Houston based independent ‘Spinnaker’ by Hydro in 2005, Helge served as the President until the
merger with Statoil in October 2007. Helge has served on the Society of Petroleum Engineer's
(SPE) Board of Directors for 3 years and he has been an SPE Distinguished Lecturer and an SPE
Distinguished Author. He has written many technical papers and articles and has be en a
Professor of Industrial Mathematics at the University of Oslo as well as a lecturer at Stanford
University. Helge is currently a member of the Cockrell School of Engineering Advisory Board at
The University of Texas at Austin and a member of the OTC a nd SPE Boards of Directors. Helge
was recently elected to be the 2015 SPE President.
Presenting Awards:
Tom Walsh
SPE WNAR Director and Managing Partner of Petrotechnical
Resources of Alaska LLC
Mr. Walsh has over 30 years of experience in the Alaska petroleum exploration and production
industry, with a diversified background ranging from basin analysis and lease sale assessment
to production well planning and reservoir production modeling. Tom ha s been involved in the
exploration, appraisal, or development phase of nearly every major field in North Alaska,
including: Prudhoe Bay, Kuparuk, Endicott, Pt. McIntyre, Milne Point, and Niakuk. He has
worked many of the sedimentary basins throughout the s tate, including: North Slope; Cook
Inlet; Chukchi and Beaufort Seas; Nenana Basin; Yukon Flats; Kandik; North Aleutian Basin;
Alaska Peninsula; and Copper River Basin. Tom’s current interests focus on project
management, and he served as Principal Investigator on a recently completed study of the
resource potential of gas hydrates associated with the Barrow Gas Fields on the North Slope of
Alaska. As a follow up to the Barrow Gas Field Hydrate Study, Tom served as Principal in
Charge of a PRA team managing the North Slope Borough gas development well drilling
program, which included drilling and completion of 5 horizontal gas production wells, and
facility upgrades to double gas production capacity for the village of Barrow. Tom also was
26
recently engaged as project manager for two Cook Inlet Natural Gas evaluation and
development projects.
Tom is managing partner of Petrotechnical Resources of Alaska, LLC, and has technical and
administrative oversight responsibility for 110+ professional oil and gas consultants. He is the
SPE Western North America Region Director, serving on the SPE Board of Directors.
2015 Western North America Regional Award Nominations
Regional Completions Optimization and Technology Award
Mr. William Minner
Regional Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty
Dr. Abhijit Dandekar
Regional Drilling Engineering Award
Mr. Stephen Cassidy
Regional Formation Evaluation Award
Dr. Fred Aminzadeh
Regional Management and Information Award
Professor Behnam Jafarpour
Regional Production and Operations Award
Mr. David Susko
Regional Projects, Facilities and Construction Award
Mr. Evan Grishaber
Regional Reservoir Description and Dynamics Award
Dr. Kristian Jessen
Regional Service Award
Dr. Stephen Cheung
Mr. Indar Singh
Regional Young Member Outstanding Service Award
Mrs. Jamie Staudinger
Mr. Mojtaba Ardali
Regional Distinguised Corporate Support Award
Chevron Corporation
27
04 Health, Safety and Environment
Terrace A-C
All companies need to ensure they have a social license to operate from an increasing variety of
stake-holders. The basis for the license is operating safely coupled with protection of health and the
environment. This session will cover a variety of topics that will help you understand what is
necessary for the license and the stakeholders.
Session Chairperson(s):
Malcolm Allan, Aera Energy LLC
Pamela Willis, Aera Energy LLC-EBS
1330
Invited Presenter - Dr. Don Paul,
University of Southern California,
“Physical and Cyber Security of Oilfield Operations”
Dr. Donald L. Paul
Executive Director of the USC Energy Institute
Professor of Engineering and William M. Keck Chair of Energy Resources
Modern producing facilities are increasingly digitally-dependent through field and plant
instrumentation, process control and automation and discipline specific models and
simulations. The industry now has the capability to use the growing volumes of data
collected to improve the performance on both field and refinery processes. The demand
for improved cost and operational performance, especially at lowered oil prices, can be
expected to only increase the emphasis on measurements, analysis, and optimization of all
aspects of the business.
In parallel, petroleum operations are expected to deliver an increasing level of operational
integrity, safety, and environmental performance. A vital aspect is ensuring the security of
the operations – in all dimensions. Expectations come from all impacted constituencies,
including employees, management, investors, and surrounding communities. As a
designated “critical infrastructure”, the security, both physical and cyber, of oil and gas
operations is now also subject to scrutiny by governmental and regulatory bodies. Added
to the traditional threats from accidental events and natural disasters, are growing threats
from deliberate malicious actions with political and /or economic intents.
The oil and gas industry has long recognized and managed physical security threats to our
operations and infrastructure. However, the rapid expansion and unique characteristics of
cyber-based threats, along with the growth in the digital intensity of the operational
infrastructure, has materially increased the challenge of securing our operations.
This presentation will discuss the nature of the growing cyber-physical threats and to
28
developing the pathways to delivering both increased security and operational
performance.
1355
174048
“Fracking” or Hydraulic Fracturing: How Media Shapes Public Perception and Regulatory
Process
D. Tormey, Environ Corp.; M. Middaugh, M. Schwartz, ENVIRON International Corporation
1420
174029
Energy Security in the Los Angeles Basin: “A New Look at an Old Treasure”
D.L. Paul, R. Asaithambi, I. Ershaghi, J. Crompton, D. Gautier, University of Southern
California
1445
174049
A New View of Produced Water: Resource, Not Waste
D. Tormey, Environ Corp.; M. Middaugh, ENVIRON International Corporation; M. Schwartz,
EVIRON International Corporation
1545
174002
Modeling Fugitive Gas Migration in Unconventional D-J Basin Wells Under Lifetime Stresses
D.C. Wilson, A.W. Eustes, W.W. Fleckenstein, Colorado School of Mines
1610
174059
Leading Safety, Health and Environmental Indicators in Hydraulic Fracturing
N. Jabbari, C. Ashayeri, N. Meshkati, University of Southern California
1635
173996
Solar-Generated Steam for Oil Recovery: Process Integration Options, Net Energy Fraction,
and Carbon Market Impacts
J.S. Odonnell, M.A. Heisler, M. Chandra, Glasspoint Solar
174020
A Systemic Risk Management Framework to Address Key Decision-Makers’ Interactions in
the Oil and Gas Industry: Lessons Learned from a Major Accident in Offshore Drilling
M. Tabibzadeh, N. Meshkati, University of Southern California
Alternate
05 Drilling I
Terrace D-F
The session addresses the challenges and opportunities when drilling conventional and
unconventional reservoirs. Case studies are presented together with successful solutions.
Session Chairperson(s):
Shirish Patil, University of Alaska - Fairbanks
David Shepherd, Chevron North America E&P
1330
Invited Presenter - Dr. Keith Millheim,
Strategic Worldwide LLC
“The Challenges for Drilling in the 21st Century”
29
Enormous changes in drilling technology have occurred over the past twenty-five years.
These changes, in some ways, were in sync with advances in materials science, computer
technology, electronics, geophysics, communications, human behavior and fluids science.
This certainly has been demonstrated by the shale gas and oil shale drilling that
contributed to significant growth in U.S. oil and gas production.
Offshore, similar drilling improvements have occurred, especially in the Gulf of Mexico
where some wells require over ten casing strings and reach total depths exceeding 25,000
feet. Most offshore drilling advances deal with fundamental advances in moving tubulars,
subsea well control, overall control of the drill string and monitoring all aspects of the
operations.
The constants between onshore and offshore drilling will still remain the same: dealing
with the drill string, BHA, and bit performance, hydraulics, drilling fluids, and casing
design. Directional drilling will always be directional drilling whether onshore or offshore,
as will be cementing, leak off tests, drill off tests, and numerous other standard drilling
practices.
Many of the drilling advances were stimulated by high oil prices of the past few years
where service providers and contractors had the economics to improve the technologies
and equipment. But what always goes up at some point must come down. History has
shown this time after time. Now the drilling industry is faced with one of the most massive
declines in oil and gas prices it has ever faced. How will both onshore and offshore drilling
industry respond?
Crisis is the catalyst for major paradigm changes. What will this oil price crisis cause for
drilling?
This presentation gives the author’s opinions on what could be in store for the future of
drilling as an industry as well as drilling practices, future technology, and equipment. It is
possible we will see another paradigm unfold which will further improve cost effectiveness,
safety and overall capacity.
1355
174009
Retrieval of Misfired Perforating Systems from Shallow Well Operations: Potential Thermal
Cookoff Hazard
J.M. Barker, J. Davidson, Halliburton
1420
174036
Horizontal Milestone in Permafrost Drilled at -80° Fahrenheit
A.D. Sallee, Schlumberger; Z. Sayers, Linc Energy; J. Burton, M. Francis, Schlumberger
1445
174016
New Rotary Steerable Drilling System Delivers Extensive Formation Evaluation for High
Build Rate Wells
A. Peter, R. Lamborn, A.C. Bowser, E. Biscaro, Baker Hughes Inc
1545
174011
Hole-Cleaning Optimization: A Case History from Three High-angle Wells in Austria
J. Thompson, J. Wilkes, C.N. Marland, Halliburton; A. Martin, B. Bindl, M. Brunneder, RAG
Austria
30
1610
173997
Miniminzing NPT - The Elimination of Cement Plug Failures in the Western US
M. Hudson, E.A. Sones, J.T. Eulberg, Schlumberger
1635
174064
An Analytical Comparison of Wellbore Deviation and its Effects on Proper Isolation in the
Bakken
D. Fry, Halliburton Energy Services Grp; L. Albrighton, Halliburton; B.A. Pruett, Halliburton
International Inc
06 Production Operations
Royal A-B
The need for continuous innovations in well operations and well completions and production
optimization methods has never been greater. The papers in this session cover a span of topics
including innovative method for maximizing wellbore to reservoir contact to enhance the
extraction of heavy oil. It also includes a presentation on well design optimization methods in
unconventional reservoirs and results of the steaming of Diatomite reservoir type rocks in
California. It will cover topics associated with inorganic scales and decision making process using
fuzzy logic to optimize liquid offload for cyclic steam systems.
Session Chairperson(s):
Rakesh Trehan, California Resources Corporation
Nabil El Shaari, California Resources Corporation
1330
Invited Presenter - Dr. Ganesh Thakur,
Thakur Services Inc.
“Practical Aspects of Reservoir Management and
Production Operations”
Goal of optimizing production and reservoir optimization is about increasing recovery
efficiency (RE) and production rate and reducing operating expenses (OPEX) and capital
expenditures (CAPEX) in a prudent way. Improving reservoir description, surveillance and
analysis, and optimizing production performance during any stage of the primary,
IOR/EOR processes increase RE.
Reservoir management (RM) is a comprehensive and integrated strategy for appraising,
delineating, developing, producing, monitoring and optimizing recovery and production
from a reservoir, and it is a key to the success of achieving the goal above. The
formulation of a depletion or development plan is an integral part of RM. Although the
process of RM is dynamic, the development plan is based on a solid foundation and it is
orchestrated judiciously considering: (a) reservoir description, (b) reservoir performan ce,
(c) recovery methods employed – natural or improved (d) wells and facilities requirements,
(e) environmental and safety considerations, and (f) economic and decision analysis.
It is also important that all team members involved in the optimization process understand
31
and develop a commitment to the plan, and a written plan developed by consensus is
important to the success of optimizing the recovery and production from a reservoir by
bringing all stakeholders to the same page.
There is need for various reservoir engineering data, including records of injection,
volumes, rates and pressures that we often lack. Serious monitoring of these data is
required, especially if we are going to go beyond the original reservoir pressure during a
fluid injection process.
Today we are moving into more difficult situations, including unconventional oil and gas
reservoirs, HPHT reservoirs, sour reservoirs, and ultra-deep water reservoirs. Thermal
recovery process and horizontal wells with hydraulic fracturing are becoming necessary for
heavy and extra-heavy oil reservoirs. Horizontal wells with hydraulic fracturing are already
common for shale and tight oil and gas reservoirs.
An important question for us is to understand how much oil and gas can be recovered
from the area surrounding each well. Although drilling and fracturing have taken us to a
great success, now the real question is how do we improve our primary recovery
efficiency? Downhole sensors could play an important role in collecting data that will help
us in making decisions for maximizing economic production in the long term. Real-time
monitoring at the reservoir level is becoming a necessity to maximize the value of these
assets. Reservoir temperature, pressure and flow rates at various points in the wellbore
are recorded with the help of downhole sensors as permanent reservoir monitoring tools.
By measuring these properties in real time and analyzing the results, the engineer can
optimize reservoir performance over time. Note that a cost-benefit analysis of the
permanently installed data gathering systems from the wells must be made to justify its
use.
We do not need to wait for the application of EOR methods until the end of the life of a
field. This change in focus is necessitated by the growing recovery challenges of maturing
fields. In addition, growing unconventional oil production requires even more attention to
EOR because of its severe recovery challenges. Optimizing production rates and RE
simultaneously is becoming a new “mantra” in today’s world. More detailed understanding
of reservoir characterization, EOR processes, selective injection and conformance control,
better understanding of reservoir physics, designer wells are helping EOR to succeed in
our industry. Today our ability to accurately forecast the performance has increased
significantly by simple modeling and incorporating feedback from the statistical population
of field observations in a widely varying range of geologic and production environment.
Challenges still facing our industry are: we still have a huge opportunity ahead of us in
continuing to increase RE from many difficult reservoirs, as follows:





32
Waterflood and polymer flood in heavy oil reservoirs
Thermal methods in extra-heavy oil reservoirs
Thermal methods in carbonate reservoirs
Waterflood and EOR methods in ultra-deep water reservoirs
Application of selected EOR methods in unconventional reservoirs
1355
174004
New Approach to Heavy Oil Extraction on the North Slope of Alaska
C.C. West, BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.; T.G. Krzewinski, Golder Associates Inc
1420
174022
Analysis of 5-different Cyclic Steam Stimulation Projects in the California Opal-A Diatomite
R. Elias, Santa Maria Energy LLC; R. Powell, Santa Maria Energy; M.M. Medizade, California
Polytechnic State University
1445
174056
Fuzzy Decision Support Based on Exact Rule Matching for Liquid Lift Optimization
M. Rajati, J.M. Mendel, University of Southern California; A.S. Popa, Chevron Corporation
1545
174047
Shifts in the Fundamental Frequency of a Fluid Conveying Pipe Immersed in a Viscous Fluid
for use in the Optimization of an Energy Harvesting System to be Deployed in a Producing
Hydrocarbon Well
E. Kjolsing, M. Todd, University of California, San Diego
1610
174018
Combination Package Development of Scale Inhibitors and Hydrogen Sulfide Scavengers
for Sour Gas Production in Barnett Shale
Y. Peng, Multi-Chem, A Halliburton Service; Z.D. Yue, Halliburton International Inc; L. Shi,
Multichem, A Halliburton Service; C. Fan, Halliburton Energy Services (Houston)
1635
174057
Completion Optimization under Constrains - Eagle Ford Case Studies
K.C. Nwabuoku, I.U. Okeahialam, Penn Virginia Corporation; M. Yang, Weatherford
Houston
174053
Using Dynamic Simulations to Optimize the Start-Up of Horizontal Wells and Evaluate
Plunger Lift Capability: Horn River Shale Gas Trajectory-Based Case Study
C.B. Nascimento, Schlumberger Canada Limited; A. Becze, Schlumberger; C.J. Virues, A.
Wang, Nexen Inc.
Alternate
33
T H U R S D A Y, A P R I L 3 0th 2 0 1 5
Panel: OPEC Oil Pricing and Unconventional Resources
07:45am to 09:45am, Royal Room A/B
Panelists will discuss a topic of interest to all and that is OPEC Oil Pricing and Unconventional
Resources. Among the panelists are renowned professor of economics from USC, Dr. Pesaran, who
has researched oil pricing matter for years, Dr. Emler Dougherty an emeritus professor at USC who
developed a price forecasting model for OPEC in the 1980's, Dr. Christine Economides from
University of Houston presenting on the advances of unconventional resource technology and
John Staub from EIA to give the latest on domestic production and activities in U.S. Unconventional
resources.
Tom Walsh
Panel Discussion Moderator
SPE WNAR Director and Managing Partner of Petrotechnical
Resources of Alaska LLC
Mr. Walsh has over 30 years of experience in the Alaska petroleum exploration and production
industry, with a diversified background ranging from basin analysis an d lease sale assessment
to production well planning and reservoir production modeling.
Tom is managing partner of Petrotechnical Resources of Alaska, LLC, and has technical and
administrative oversight responsibility for 110+ professional oil and gas consultants. He is the
SPE Western North America Region Director, serving on the SPE Board of Directors.
“EIA Forecast of US Liquid Oil Production”
John Staub
John Staub is the Team Lead for Exploration and Production in the Office of Petroleum, Natural
Gas and Biofuels Analysis at the U.S. Energy Information Administration. John leads analysis
and modeling of domestic and international petroleum and natural gas resources and
production for both short and long-term outlooks. His team also leads EIA’s analysis of longterm oil prices. He previously worked in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Policy and
International Affairs and has served detail assignments at the White House Council of Economic
Advisers and the International Energy Agency (IEA). He received an undergraduate degree in
physics from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., and a master’s degree in public policy from
the University of Chicago.
34
“The Unconventionals are Becoming Conventional”
Dr. Christine Economides
She is the William C. Miller Endowed Chair Professor of petroleum engineering –University of
Houston. She is a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering (NAE),
She
became the first American woman to earn a Ph.D. in petroleum engineering when she obtained
her doctorate from Stanford University in 1979. Ehlig -Economides is a world-renowned expert in
reservoir engineering, pressure transient analysis, integrated reservoir characterization,
complex well design and production enhancement. Her career has taken her around the world
as a Schlumberger engineer, and for the past 10 years she has taught petroleum engineering at
Texas A&M University. She’s published more than 115 papers, lectured or consulted in 50
countries and has authored two patents. She is one of only 16 Quantum Reservoir Impact (QRI)
Scholars and has recently been named a Chief Scientist for the Sinopec Research Institute on
Petroleum Engineering as one of the Thousand Talents in China. During her career, she has
served on numerous Society of Petroleum Engineer (SPE) committees and task forces.
“Oil Booms and Busts: A Long-Run Perspective”
Dr. Hashem Pesaran
John Elliott Distinguished Chair in Economics
Director, USC Dornsife Institute for New Economic Thinking
Director, USC Center for Applied Financial Economics
He received his BSc in Economics at the University of Salford (England) and his PhD in
Economics at Cambridge University. Previously, Pesaran was Professor at the Faculty of
Economics at the University of Cambridgeand a Professorial Fellow of Trinity College,
Cambridge. He is the John Elliott Distinguished Chair in Economics at the University of Southern
California and has held that position since August 2005. He also serves as the Director of the
USC Dornsife Center for Applied Financial Economics Research. In January 2013, he was made
a Distinguished Professor at USC.
Dr. Pesaran is a Fellow of the British Academy, a Fellow of the Econometric Society, and a
Fellow of the Journal of Econometrics. He is the recipient o f the 1990 George Sell Prize from
The Institute of Petroleum, London, the 1992Royal Economic Society Prize for the best article
published in The Economic Journal for the years 1990 and 1991, and the joint recipient of the
Econometric Reviews Best Paper Award 2002–2004 for his paper on Long Run Structural
35
Modeling.
Pesaran is the founding editor of the Journal of Applied Econometrics, and a co -developer of
Microfit (versions 1–5), an econometric software package published by Oxford University Press.
He has served as a Director on the Board of Acorn Investment Trust and Cambridge
Econometrics, and is now Honorary President of Cambridge Econometrics. In 1997 he became a
Charter Member of the Oliver Wyman Institute, serving until January 2000. Between 2000 and
2002 he was appointed Vice-President in charge of development and computerized trading
systems at Tudor Investment Corporation, Connecticut, USA and in October 2004 he was
appointed as Director of USC College Institute for Economic Policy Research.
He has over 130 publications in leading scientific journals in the areas of econometrics,
empirical macroeconomics and the Iranian economy, and is an expert in the economics of Oil
and the Middle East.
“OPEC Oil Pricing”
Dr. Elmer Dougherty
Dr. Dougherty is the founder and President of Maraco, develops and applies software to analyze
and optimize oil and gas development and operation. In addition to Maraco, he founded D2
Computing & Scientific Software. He has consulted in Australia (Santos), The Netherla nds (EBN,
TOTAL), Indonesia (TOTAL), Saudi Arabia (Aramco), Kuwait (Kuwait Oil), Libya (Oasis) & Iran
(Consortium).
He is Emeritus Professor, USC, (24 years Petroleum and Chemical Engineering). Industrial
experience includes Chevron, Esso, Dow Chemical and Union Carbide.
A Distinguished Member of SPE, receiving its J.J. Arps Award, Ferguson Medal & Regional
Service Award (Los Angeles), he has coauthored over 50 technical papers.
His BS is from Kansas U where he was recently inducted into its Chemical/Petrol eum
Engineering Hall of Fame. His MS and PhD in Chemical Engineering are from Univ. of Illinois.
36
Technical Sessions 10am to 5pm
07 Facilities & Water Management
Terrace A-C
In this session, oilfield water treatment, advanced computations of high frequency data, method to
generate 3D classified model, improved history matching method, propant conductivity under
confining stress, and method to forecast post fracturing in low permeability reservoirs will be
presented.
Session Chairperson(s):
Mason Medizade, California Polytechnic State University
Ray Clanton, California Resources Corporation
1000
174046
Conductivity of Proppant Packs under Variable Stress Conditions: A Coupled Discrete
Element / Lattice Boltzmann Model Approach
M. M. Shams, S. Farhadi Nia, K. Jessen, University of Southern California
1025
173993
Data-Driven Analytics for Production Impact Assessment during Un-planned Facility System
Events
A.S. Popa, Chevron Corporation; H. Leon, J. Medel, T. Nquyen, Chevron Corporation,
Bakersfield, CA, United States; S.D. Cassidy, D.H. Tubbs, Chevron Corporation
1050
174069
Automatic 3D Industrial Point Cloud Classification and Modeling
G. Pang, R. Qiu, J. Huang, S. You, U. Neumann, University of Southern California
1115
174055
Improved Proxy For History Matching Using Proxy-for-Data Approach And Reduced-Order
Modeling
J. He, J. Xie, X. Wen, W.H. Chen, Chevron Corporation
174058
A Predictive Model for Improving the Efficiency of Frac Jobs
M.M. Korjani, University of Southern California (PTE); J.M. Mendel, I. Ershaghi, University
of Southern California
Alternate
08 Digital Energy and Integrated Solutions
Terrace D-F
The Oil & Gas industry must be equipped to take advantage of the vast amount of data from its
operations in order to find and produce from more complex reservoirs and remote operation.
Thousands of sensors at the well head, hundreds of partners in the supply chain, fully instrumented
global capital projects and many highly-trained digital engineers and earth scientists create a datarich environment. The challenges of adopting digital energy solutions stems from creating,
managing, linking, and automating work process changes in core data environments. In accordance,
they can be repurposed to support advanced analytics and daily operations.
Session Chairperson(s):
Iraj Ershaghi, University of Southern California
37
Jim Crompton, University of Southern California
1000
174042
Semantic Web Technologies for External Corrosion Detection in Smart Oil Fields
M. Saeed, C. Chelmis, V. Prasanna, University of Southern California; B. Thigpen, R. House,
J. Blouin, Chevron Corporation
1025
174045
Virtual Metering in Multiphase Flow
M.J. Bartolomeu, Norwegian University of Science & Tech
1050
174039
A Novel Efficient Workflow of Production Optimization and Forecast by Integrating
Constrained Production Optimization with Decline Curve Analysis: A Field Case Study
P. Kritsadativud, B. Jafarpour, University of Southern California; P. Ekkawong, PTT
Exploration and Production Public Company Limited
1115
174061
Shale Asset Production Evaluation by Using Pattern Recognition
S. Esmaili, Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation; S.D. Mohaghegh, West Virginia University; A.
Kalantari Dahaghi, Occidental Petroleum Corp.
174031
Practical Application of Data-Driven Modeling Approach during SAGD Operations in
Heterogeneous Reservoirs
E. Amirian, Z. Chen, University of Calgary; S.D. Zanon, P.J. Dzurman, Nexen Inc.
174062
Failure Prediction for Electrical Submersible Pump Systems
D. Guo, C. Raghavenda, University of Southern California; K. Yao, Information Science
Institute; M.J. Harding, Chevron; A. Anvar, Chevron ETC (BSS) (BO); A.N. Patel, Chevron ETC
Alternate
09 Drilling II
Royal A-B
We kick off this session by analyzing the history of more than 50 wells. We will then review spacer
systems for oil and water based mud and application of hollow-gas sphere in drilling fluids. Last we
look at managed pressure tripping operations through abnormal formations.
Session Chairperson(s):
Rakesh Trehan, California Resources Corporation
Nabil El Shaari, California Resources Corporation
1000
174030
Common Sense Reconditioning Experiences with Idle Wells in California
I. Ershaghi, N. Fotouhi Tehrani, University of Southern California
1025
174005
Robust Spacer System for Water and Oil based Mud
A.K. Santra, R. Pernites, Weatherford
1050
174010
Hollow-Glass Sphere Application in Drilling Fluids_Case Study
A. Minhas, Baroid/Halliburton; F. Shirkavand, B. Hucik, Seven Generations Energy Limited;
T.J. Pena Bastidas, 3M Canada Company; B.S. Ross, Halliburton; B. Friess, S. Servinksi,
Seven Generations Energy Limited; F. Angyal, Halliburton
38
1115
174073
Case Study of Managed Pressure Tripping Opertion Through Abnormal Formations in West
Canadian Sedimentary Basin
E. Mammadov, Weatherford Canada; S. Sephton, N. Osayande, J. Risi, Weatherford Canada
Partnership
174068
Using Wireline Standoffs (WLSOs) To Mitigate Cable Sticking
J. Hall, Impact Selector; G. Wheater, Gaia Earth Sciences Limited
Alternate
10 Fracturing Technologies II
Terrace A-C
In this session, sandstone multilateral stimulation technology, frac sleeve for multi-zone connected
lateral, acid frac in the Swan Hills carbonate formation, net to gross ratios in characterizing
hydraulic fracture deliverability, plastic Eagle Ford reservoir flow characteristics and high precision
temperature and logging tool applications in hydraulic fracturing will be presented.
Session Chairperson(s):
Mason Medizade, California Polytechnic State University
Obadare Awoleke, University of Alaska – Fairbanks
1330
Invited Presenter - Dr. Fred Aminzadeh,
University of Southern California
“Induced Seismicity and Hydraulic Fracturing”
To Frack or Not to Frack -- that is the question! During the past several years we have
witnessed an intense debate on hydraulic fracturing and induced seismicity. Many consider
shale oil / gas, with the associated horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, as one of
the major developments in the oil and gas industry of the past two decades; others
consider fracking proponents as public enemy number one. This paper highlights our
current understanding of the potential risks associated with hydraulic frac turing, with a
focus on the induced seismicity risk factor. I will address many of the frequently asked
questions about induced seismicity and hydraulic fracturing. Toward that end, I will
highlight some recent technology advances, including many of the ideas developed at the
USC Induced Seismicity Consortium (ISC). I will elaborate on the model studies, optimum
survey designs, laboratory experiments and other concepts that shed more light on
induced seismicity. For example, I will show the distribution of different types of seismicity
in the San Joaquin Valley. I also plan to explain the b-value analysis method that has
proven to be useful in distinguishing between the induced and triggered seismicity. There
will be several examples of science-based analyses of induced seismicity that may point
out the situations in which we need to very careful to avoid creating a large and
potentially harmful seismic response. Also included will be a discussion on how induced
seismicity can be used for characterizing and monitoring the reservoir, designing an
39
optimum multi-stage hydraulic fracturing program, mapping the in situ stress, and
modeling the growth and propagation of the natural fractures when stimulating wells.
Finally, I will introduce a possible field-based monitoring program that can validate some
of the theoretical concepts, numerical models and laboratory experiments. I contend that
the answer to the question with which I began is: With sound science and engineering,
truth conquers all-- “veritas omnia vincit.”
1355
174035
First Installation of Efficient and Accurate Multilaterals Stimulation Technology in
Sandstone Oil Application
J.K. Rice, Fishbones AS
1420
174075
Frac Sleeve Designed for Multi-Zone Cemented Laterals
S.J. Chauffe, Team Oil Tools
1445
174037
Application of Nano-Proppants from Waste Products to Improve Hydraulic Fracture
Conductivity in Ultra-Tight Unconventional Reservoirs
C. Chempakathinal Bose, T. Jones, A. Gul, B.S. Fairchild, The University of Kansas; R. Barati
Ghahfarokhi, University of Kansas
1545
174014
Methods to Maximize Completion Efficiency in the Eagle Ford Reservoir
C. Smith, A. Bashkirtseva, Halliburton
173998
Impact of Stimulation Net to Gross Ratio on Hydraulic Fracture Deliverability in
Unconventional Resources
S.V. Ganpule, G.A. Waters, Z. Al-jalal, Schlumberger
Alternate
11 Heavy Oil Recovery Technologies
Terrace D-F
This session focuses on technologies and processes such as slotted liner completions, CHOPS, SAGD,
solvent and polymer injection to enhance the recovery of heavy oils. Special cases of heavy oil
reservoirs that are naturally fractured, thin rimmed and having a bottom aquifer are included.
Session Chairperson(s):
Abhijit Dandekar, University of Alaska - Fairbanks
Reza Rastegar, Hilcorp Energy Company
1330
Invited Presenter - Dr. V.M. Ziegler,
California Resources Corporation
“Thermal EOR: Its Legendary Past, Economic
Present and Challenging Future”
This paper summarizes the past, present and future outlook of worldwide thermal recovery
operations. Review of the four basic thermal techniques indicates that steamflooding is the
dominant thermal process and is the primary emphasis of this paper. Past performance of
steam injection indicates that the process has gone through several phases: (a) piloting,
40
(b) expansion and (c) process improvements resulting from both economic pressure and
technological impacts. Current steam operations are affected by both economic and
regulatory issues. While regulatory issues may delay and increase operating costs, they do
not have as adverse an impact on production growth as declining oil prices. The majority
of the oil produced by steam injection comes from international projects; primarily, those
located in Venezuela and Canada. The Middle East will become a major center of thermal
operations in the near future. Domestic thermal recovery production is concentrated in
California and has been stable at ~300 Mbopd for the last ten years. Future thermal
recovery projects will address more adverse reservoir conditions such as those found in
fractured carbonate and siliceous shale reservoirs. This will place greater importance on
recovery mechanisms other than viscosity reduction, such as capillary imbibition, on
thermal oil recovery.
1355
174072
Analysis of Wellbore Failures and Redesign of Slotted Liners for Horizontal Wells Applied in
a Heavy Oil Field
T.J. Hallman, Bankers Petroleum Ltd
1420
174003
1445
174050
Field Scale Simulation Study, Investigating the Effect of Geological and Operational
Parameters on Solvent Co-Injection Process in Athabasca Bitumen Reservoir
Y. Souraki, Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU; M. Ashrafi, Statoil
ASA; A. Jahanbani Ghahfarokhi, Norwegian University of Science and Technology - NTNU;
O. Torsater, Norwegian University of Science & Tech
Enhanced Oil Recovery of Heavy Oil in Reservoirs with Bottom Aquifer
E. Delamaide, IFP Technologies Canada Inc.
1545
174012
A Critical Investigation of Optimization of Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) in
Naturally-Fractured Heavy-Oil Carbonate Reservoirs under Uncertainty
C. Temizel, Aera Energy LLC-EBS; S. Purwar, K. Urrutia, A. Abdullayev, Halliburton
1610
174067
Modeling Asphaltene Deposition in the Wellbore During Gas Lift Process
A. Abouie, The University of Texas at Austin; M. Shirdel, Chevron ETC (BSS) (BO); H. Darabi,
K. Sepehrnoori, The University of Texas At Austin
12 Improved Oil Recovery: Low Salinity Brine, Waterflooding and Reservoir Definition Using History
Matching
Royal A-B
This session focuses on application of low salinity brines and other practical techniques to improve
oil recovery.
Session Chairperson(s):
Anthony Kovscek, Stanford University
Stephen Cheung, Consultant
41
1330
Invited Presenter - Dr. Norman Morrow,
University of Wyoming
“Wettability, Brine Composition, and Waterflood
Recovery”
Over the past 40 years, the working assumption that all reservoirs are strongly water wet
and this is optimum for recovery has become widely rejected. Reservoir wettability is a
complex, operationally defined property that depends on Crude Oil/Brine/Rock (COBR)
interactions. Numerous observations of waterflooding and spontaneous imbibition show
that COBR wettability is a variable that changes with the prevailing water saturation and
time. Choice of injection brine composition is a practical option for wettability alteration
during a waterflood. For laboratory floods, variation of connate and/or injection br ine
composition resulted in differences in recovery of up to 16%. Large changes in recovery
were first reported for change in ionic composition at high salinity and/or the crude oil.
Increase in recovery of crude oil with reduced salinity (the Low Salinity Effect, LSE) has
been under investigation for over 20 years. More than 200 papers on LS flooding have
appeared over the past 10 years. Proposed mechanisms for the LSE include Limited Fines
Release (LFR), saponification, Multicomponent Ion Exchange MIE, double layer expansion,
osmosis, and Integrated pH Ion Surface Electrostatics (IpHISE). Associated models of LSE
range from variation of contact angle in networks of smooth cylindrical tubes, to explain
increased recovery by MIE, to detailed analysis of electrostatic interactions at rough
surfaces (IpHISE). There is strong interest in application of LS flooding as an enhanced
recovery technique because of the comparatively low cost; field work has progressed from
encouraging results for single well and well-to-well pilot tests to full-field implementation.
A further approach to obtaining improved oil recovery was discovered in the course of
investigating problems encountered with reproducibility of laboratory waterfloods. When
either sandstone or carbonate cores were recharged with crude oil and re-flooded with no
change in brine composition, a process described as sequential waterflooding, large
decrease in residual oil was observed from one flood to the next. Extended aging at
residual oil increased water wetness and increased the subsequent recovery. The role of
wettability was confirmed by observations that decreased recovery could be obtained by
extended aging times at low water saturation. Sequential waterflooding has potential
application to fields at advanced stages of depletion and to mobilization of oil from natural
residual oil zones.
1355
174041
Low Salinity Brine Enhances Oil Production in Liquid-rich Shale Formations
C. Nguyen, R. kothamasu, Multichem, a Halliburton Service; L. Xu, Multi-Chem Group; K.
He, Multi-Chem, a Halliburton Service
1420
174006
A Practical Approach to History-Matching Water Cycling in Waterflood Reservoir
Simulation - Method and Case Studies in South Belridge Diatomite Waterflood
Z. Yang, A.H. Urdaneta, Aera Energy LLC
42
1445
173994
Mechanistic Modeling of Oil Recovery due to Low Salinity Water Injection in Oil Reservoirs
E.W. Al-Shalabi, The University of Texas at Austin; K. Sepehrnoori, G.A. Pope, University of
Texas At Austin
1545
174063
Spontaneous Imbibition Study: Effect of Connate Water Composition on Low-Salinity
Waterflooding and Wettability in Sandstone Reservoirs
A.M. Shehata, Texas A&M; H.A. Nasr-El-Din, Texas A&M University
1610
174033
Optimization of Novel Gravity-Stable Surfactant Flooding
J. Lu, G.A. Pope, The University of Texas At Austin
1635
174001
Experimental and Numerical Modeling of Low-salinity Waterflood in a Low Permeability
Carbonate Reservoir
W. Alameri, T. Teklu, R.M. Graves, H. Kazemi, Colorado School of Mines; A.M. Al-sumaiti,
Petroleum Institute
174008
Practical Concerns and Principle Guidelines for Screening, Implementation, Design, and
Optimization of Low Salinity Waterflooding
C.T. Dang, University of Calgary; L.X. Nghiem, Computer Modelling Group Ltd.; N.T.
Nguyen, Z. Chen, University of Calgary
174052
Reservoir Waterflooding System Identification and Model Validation with
Injection/Production Rate Fluctuations
A. Rezapour, A. Ortega, I. Ershaghi, University of Southern California
Alternate
Poster Presentations
The posters will be on display Wednesday and Thursday
Authors are welcome to present their posters during all coffee breaks.
during
the
15WRM Wednesday and Thursday Posters
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Board #
1
Paper #
174017
Author
H. Dashtian
2
174038
M. Sherafati
3
174040
M.O. Ostadhassan
4
174020
M. Tabibzadeh
5
174067
A. Abouie
6
174053
C.B. Nascimento
7
174058
M. Korjani
8
174031
E. Amirian
9
174062
D. Guo
10
174068
J. Hall
11
174008
C. Dang
12
174052
A. Rezapour
13
173995
M.S. Sarabi
14
173998
G. Waters
conference.
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The 2015 Western Regional Meeting is sponsored by:
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