Application of GOCAD 3-D Earth Modeling Tools to Reservoir Characterization: An Example from Offshore West Africa

David Goggin and David DeBaun and Wenlong Xu and Connie Terricola. ( 1995 )
in: 11th gOcad Meeting, ASGA

Abstract

3-D reservoir-scale modeling requires a combination of geometric and property simulation tools to effectively model subsurface geologic patterns. Earth modeling tools, even at the reservoir scale, are subdivided into five basie categories: (a) topology, (b) geometry, (c) properties, (d) visualization, and (e) interactivity. Cornrnon earth models seek to integrate a diverse set of data types into one framework. Both interpreted aud measured data from weil logs, core, facies zones, facies maps, sei smic attribute maps, and complete 3-D seismic data may be included. InternaI reservoir geometries or properties must be carried throughout the modeling process. Uncertainties in fine-scale reservoir properties are simulated with a prescribed correlation structure guided by the geometry of the individual geologic shapes. In this study we show how GOCAD++ provides earth modeling tools in each of the five basic categories, including uncertainty modeling. Using an offshore example, we describe the reservoir modeling process in the following steps: • weil and surface data input and quality control, • construction of a framework from interpreted seismic horizons, • construction of a detailed, 3-D stratigraphic grid from the depth-adjusted horizons, • integrating deviated and horizontal weil log data into the stratigraphie grid, • simulating correlated porosity variations from the weil data onto the stratigraphic grid, and • modifying those properties to show net effective pay (mode! operations). The impact of simulated geologic features are captured in a 3-D, scaled-up model appropriate for full-field 3-D simulation. The full-field simulation model was subsequently used to optimize the placement of two additional horizontal wells.

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    BibTeX Reference

    @inproceedings{GogginRM1995a,
     abstract = { 3-D reservoir-scale modeling requires a combination of geometric and property simulation tools to effectively model subsurface geologic patterns. Earth modeling tools, even at the reservoir scale, are subdivided into five basie categories: (a) topology, (b) geometry, (c) properties, (d) visualization, and (e) interactivity. Cornrnon earth models seek to integrate a diverse set of data types into one framework. Both interpreted aud measured data from weil logs, core, facies zones, facies maps, sei smic attribute maps, and complete 3-D seismic data may be included. InternaI reservoir geometries or properties must be carried throughout the modeling process. Uncertainties in fine-scale reservoir properties are simulated with a prescribed correlation structure guided by the geometry of the individual geologic shapes. In this study we show how GOCAD++ provides earth modeling tools in each of the five basic categories, including uncertainty modeling. Using an offshore example, we describe the reservoir modeling process in the following steps: • weil and surface data input and quality control, • construction of a framework from interpreted seismic horizons, • construction of a detailed, 3-D stratigraphic grid from the depth-adjusted horizons, • integrating deviated and horizontal weil log data into the stratigraphie grid, • simulating correlated porosity variations from the weil data onto the stratigraphic grid, and • modifying those properties to show net effective pay (mode! operations). The impact of simulated geologic features are captured in a 3-D, scaled-up model appropriate for full-field 3-D simulation. The full-field simulation model was subsequently used to optimize the placement of two additional horizontal wells. },
     author = { Goggin, David AND DeBaun, David AND Xu, Wenlong AND Terricola, Connie },
     booktitle = { 11th gOcad Meeting },
     month = { "june" },
     publisher = { ASGA },
     title = { Application of GOCAD 3-D Earth Modeling Tools to Reservoir Characterization: An Example from Offshore West Africa },
     year = { 1995 }
    }