Analytical overview of formation mechanisms of deposits with tilted oil-water contacts

The position of the oil-water contact level is one of the most important factors in determining the geometry of deposits, affecting the value of reserves and resource estimate, exploration and development strategy. Understanding the mechanisms of formation of inclined hydrocarbons contacts will directly affect the assessment of the reservoir type, its geometry, the amount of reserves and resources, approaches to assessing and predicting the prospects of oil-bearing deposits, as well as the placement of wells, the choice of optimal development technology. The article summarizes the factors affecting the formation of deposits with tilted oil-water contact. The mechanisms of tilted oil-water contact formation are considered based on hydrodynamic process, geological heterogeneity of the reservoir, the influence of neotectonic processes. Taking into account the mechanisms of action of various physical and chemical factors in the distribution of hydrocarbons based on the method of dynamic analysis of capillary-gravitational equilibrium makes it possible to correctly solve the problem of substantiating the deposits modelling with a complicated surface of water-oil contact. This, in turn, will allow minimizing risks when choosing technological solutions, and systematically implementing a geological exploration program