Interwell connectivity analysis in a low-permeability formation using a modified Capacitance Model with application to the East Pembina Field, Cardium Formation, Alberta

From the 1950s to the present, the Cardium Formation has been extensively produced. Exploitation has moved from the high-permeability western areas to very heterogeneous lower permeability, “halo-oil” regions in the east. In this case study, we briefly summarize the geology and assess the degree of interwell communication in selected areas from the East Pembina Field. For the Interwell Connectivity (IWC) evaluation, we use a modified version of the Capacitance Model (CM-PW) for connectivity analysis in areal windows. The CM has been used to analyze flow rates to measure IWC. The direction of the largest IWC change agrees with the expected maximum stress direction in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin. The model also captures differences between pre- and post-fracturing connectivities. The matches of predicted to measured production using the CM-PW are fair to good, 0.76 ≤  R 2  ≤ 0.95.