With detailed knowledge of the fluid characteristics and reservoir characterisation, application of the available technologies can be undertaken to identify the optimum system configuration.

One of the main parameters for consideration is the filtration specification for the water injection project and this can be assessed by the modelling of injectivity decline and sweep efficiency. This is achieved by inputting data from reservoir and water studies into the EPD software package IDEAS (Injectivity Decline Evaluation and Analysis Software). This software is only applicable for systems which will not, or are not expected to, experience thermal fracturing.

The correct number, size and location of production wells is essential to obtain maximum cost-effective yield from the reservoir. Likewise, the disposition of water injection wells to generate an efficient sweep or drive without creating premature wetting out is equally important. These factors are optimised by studying the reservoir characteristics and geological information.

EPD uses reservoir simulation software to simulate the effects secondary recovery operations, or water-floods, in a black oil reservoir. Examples of the software used by EPD include Eclipse, VIP and PBOISM. These programmes have been used in studies to predict future oil production rates as related to water injection and associated pressure maintenance and increased drive facilities.

For many water injection projects it is necessary to simulate a mature oil field to estimate the incremental oil production which could be achieved by applying enhanced/improved oil recovery techniques, such as water injection and steam-flooding.