Integrated engineering and geoscience technologies provide insights into complex saturation, pressure, and geomechanical changes from reservoir production. Pressure Transient Analysis, 4D seismic interpretation, and Mechanical Earth Modeling each estimate dynamic property changes that can be complimentarily used to calibrate and cross-validate the other technologies. Three case studies are discussed to highlight the multidisciplinary approaches that have uncovered alternative scenarios and new understandings about the subsurface production effects. The value of integration is realized through improved forecasts driving better reservoir management decisions for EOR fields.

Future innovations in multi-disciplinary approaches will require increasing the complexity of production and subsurface effects associated with monitoring and modeling. Complex Water Alternating Gas injection modeling shows promise for integrated analyses. Production and injection involving complex subsurface features, such as fracture corridors, pose significant challenges for identifying production effects on surveillance data as well as accurately capturing and forecasting these effects in simulations. Coupled modeling, machine learning, and model inversion using surveillance data are key to drive new advances between engineering and geoscience integrated applications.

Shauna Oppert leads Chevron’s technical integration between geophysics and geomechanics. She has 20 years of experience between Chevron and ExxonMobil and has published over 25 technical papers in her field. She earned a MSc. in Geophysics from the University of Calgary in 2002 and a BSc. in Geology & Geophysics from Missouri Science & Technology in 2000. She has been a keynote speaker for the 2021 EAGE PRM workshop, a panel speaker for the 2018 SPE IOR conference, and has served as the SEAM Life of Field Technical Committee Chair in the SEG for five years.