Course Description

Decline curve analysis has been called the most commonly used and misused technique for forecasting future production and remaining reserves. This course will give the learner a better understanding of how fundamental reservoir properties and drive mechanisms affect the shape of the production decline curve and how to avoid many of the mistakes commonly found in decline curve forecasts. The course also examines the use of modern production decline type-curves to evaluate reservoir properties and predict future performance. 

Course Goal

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participant will be able to:

• Understand DCA curve equations and their relationship to reservoir properties and drive mechanisms.
• Avoid common mistakes in decline curve forecasts to prevent overestimation of reserves.
• Analyze reservoir performance and account for heterogeneities and changing operating conditions.
• Utilize alternative diagnostic methods for accurate analysis and forecasting.
• Apply advanced decline curve analysis for reservoir characterization.
• Select appropriate decline curve equations based on reservoir properties and drive mechanisms.
• Properly handle transient production and constrain forecasts.
• Forecast production during displacement processes using relevant trends.
• Address challenges in decline curve analysis and forecast for groups of wells.
• Identify and avoid common mistakes in decline curve analysis.
• Utilize production decline type-curves, including modern methods, for accurate forecasting.
• Understand decline analysis and forecast for unconventional reservoirs.

Who Can Benefit

Engineers or technical assistants who are responsible for making forecasts of future production using decline curves analysis. Economists, managers, or geoscientists who are interested in developing a greater working knowledge of decline curve methods and how to make better forecasts will also benefit from this course.