A generalized framework for Capacitance Resistance Models and a comparison with streamline allocation factors

Abstract The Capacitance Resistance Model (CRM) is a fast way for modeling and simulating gas and waterflood recovery processes, making it a useful tool for improving real-time flood management and reservoir analysis. The CRM is a material balance-based model that requires only injection and production history, which are the most readily available data gathered throughout the production life of a reservoir. In this work, state-space (SS) equations are derived to describe the dynamic behavior of several CRM representations as a multi-input/multi-output system (matrix representation), computing reservoir dynamics simultaneously as a single system with interactions between injectors and producers. Interwell connectivities, time constants and productivity indices are estimated using a grey-box system identification algorithm. The matrix form of the CRM history matching and a sensitivity analysis to the CRM parameters estimates are presented. This process is computationally fast and easy to apply in fields with a large number of wells. Two case studies validate the proposed methodology: (1) homogeneous reservoir with flow barriers; and (2) channelized reservoir. A comparison between streamline allocation factors and CRM interwell connectivities for every injector-producer pair in the case studies is included to clarify their physical meaning, similarities and differences. The results lead to the following findings: 1) there is a fair correlation between CRM interwell connectivities and streamline allocation factors but the CRM values correspond to the pressure support and can connect more distant injector-producer pairs. The streamline allocation factors reflect water front advance and are largely limited to adjacent wells; 2) the CRM is significantly less sensitive to noise in flowrates than in BHP measurements; and 3) Different CRM representations show important performance differences based on reservoir heterogeneity, input variations and noise levels.