Unlocking Reliable Reservoir Analysis: Why Production Data Diagnostics Matter in Shale Plays
- oosadiya
- Jan 27
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 10
The rise of horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing has transformed shale gas development, making advanced analytical techniques like Rate Transient Analysis (RTA) essential for understanding reservoir performance. Yet the accuracy of these analyses depends on one critical factor: the quality of your production data. In this article, we’ll explore why rigorous data diagnostics are the foundation of reliable reservoir characterization—and how you can avoid common pitfalls that compromise your results.
Why Data Diagnostics Are Essential
Production data is vulnerable to a host of operational and measurement artifacts. These can include:
Incorrect pressure sensor placement
Liquid loading effects
Rate allocation errors
Equipment changes (like artificial lift installations)
Unreported well interventions
If left unchecked, these issues can introduce misleading signals into your RTA workflow, resulting in inaccurate reservoir parameters and flawed forecasts. That’s why every RTA should begin with a thorough diagnostic phase—reviewing well records, completion histories, and operational logs to spot and correct anomalies before analysis begins.
Best Practices for Data Diagnostics
1. Visualize and Assess Qualitatively
Pressure-Rate Correlation Plots: Look for immediate, proportional responses between rate and pressure. Any mismatch may signal measurement or reporting errors.
Trend Consistency Analysis: Pressure should respond predictably to rate changes. Unexpected patterns often point to operational interventions or equipment modifications.
Stability and Scatter Analysis: Excessive data scatter can be smoothed, but over-smoothing risks hiding important transient behaviors.
Log-Log Rate-Time and Blasingame Plots: These help highlight anomalous declines and separate reservoir effects from operational artifacts.
FMB-Rate (Cartesian) Plots: Use these to cross-check normalized rate decline trends.
2. Condition Data Quantitatively
Before running RTA, clean your data by:
Removing outliers
Interpolating missing values (with clear justification)
Synchronizing time, rate, and pressure records
All data edits should be traceable and reproducible. Unjustified smoothing or interpolation can mask true reservoir responses and lead to misinterpretation.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
Diagnostics Are Mandatory: Never skip the diagnostic phase in RTA workflows.
Maintain Skepticism: Always question the provenance and integrity of your data.
Let Diagnostic Plots Guide You: Use them as gatekeepers to ensure your interpretations are physically valid.
Document Everything: Keep thorough records of operational changes and interventions.
Standardize Best Practices: Advocate for industry-wide diagnostic protocols to improve reliability.
Article Author: Olusegun("Olu") Osadiya
Principal Consultant, Centriv Petrologic Petroleum Engineering Consultants
Contact:
For more information or consulting inquiries, visit https://www.centrivpetrologic.com or email contact@centrivpetrologic.com.
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