During field development and production, a variety of common problems can be solved through the integration of geochemical, geological, and engineering data. For example, such studies can identify reservoir compartmentalization, allocate commingled production, identify completion problems (such as tubing string leaks or poor cement jobs), predict fluid properties (viscosity, gravity) prior to production tests, characterize induced fracture geometries, monitor the progression of floods, or explain the causes of produced sludges. For each of these applications, geochemical approaches are appealing for three reasons:

1) Geochemistry provides an independent line of evidence that can help resolve ambiguous geological or engineering data. For example, geochemical data can reveal whether small differences in reservoir pressure reflect the presence of a no-flow barrier between the sampling points.

2) Geochemical approaches are commonly far cheaper than engineering alternatives. For example, geochemical allocation of commingled production can be achieved typically for only 1%–5% of the cost of production logging.

3) Geochemical approaches have applicability where other approaches do not. For example, geochemical allocation of commingled production can be performed even on highly deviated or horizontal wells, and even on wells with electrical submersible pumps—well types not amenable to production logging.

This presentation discusses applications of geochemistry and highlights how geochemistry complements other reservoir management tools. A variety of case studies illustrate key points. In addition, sampling pitfalls and potential sources of contamination are addressed.

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