Streamline approach for history matching production data

In this study, we propose and develop a streamline approach for inferring f ield-scale effective permeability distributions based on dynamic production data including producer water-cut curve, well pressures, and rates. The st reamline-based inverse approach simplifies the history-matching process sig nificantly. The basic idea is to relate the water-cut curve at a producer t o the water breakthrough of individual streamlines. By adjusting the effect ive permeability along streamlines, the breakthrough time of each streamlin e that reproduces the reference producer fractional-flow curve is found. Th en the permeability modification along each streamline is mapped onto cells of the simulation grid. Modifying effective permeability at the streamline level greatly reduces the size of the inverse problem compared to modifica tions at the grid block level. The approach outlined here is relatively dir ect and rapid. Limitations include that the forward how problem must be sol vable with streamlines, streamline locations do not evolve radically during displacement, no new wells are included, and relatively noise-foe producti on data are available. It works well for reservoirs where heterogeneity det ermines flow patterns. Example cases illustrate computational efficiency ge nerality, and robustness of the proposed procedure. Advantages and limitati ons of this work, and the scope of future study, are also discussed.