Synthetic core from conventional logs: A new method of interpretation for identification of key reservoir properties

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. SA1-SA14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbub Alam ◽  
Latif Ibna-Hamid ◽  
Joan Embleton ◽  
Larry Lines
Keyword(s):  
Reservoir Simulation ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Sedimentary Facies ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Particle Volume ◽  
Single Curve ◽  
Conventional Logs

We developed a unique method to generate reservoir attributes by creating an artificial core for those wells that have no core, but that have gamma, neutron, and density logs. We examined sedimentary facies distributions, reservoir attributes, and mechanical parameters of the rock for noncored wells to increase the data density and improve the understanding of the reservoir. This method eventually helps to improve high-resolution 3D geocellular models, geomechanical models, and reservoir simulation in reservoir characterization. Artificial or synthetic cores are created using a single curve that builds facies templates using the information from the cores of nearby offset wells, which belong to the same depositional environment. The single curve, called the fine particle volume (FPV), is the average of two shale volumes calculated from the gamma-ray log and from a combination of neutron and density logs. Using facies templates, the FPV curve builds the synthetic core for geocellular modeling and reservoir simulation, and it represents the sedimentary facies distribution in the well with all the reservoir attributes obtained from laboratory data of the original core. The vertical succession of the synthetic core has the characteristics of actual sedimentary facies with reservoir attributes such as porosity, permeability, and other rock properties. The result of creating the synthetic core was validated visually and statistically with the actual cores, and each of the cored wells was considered as a noncored well. The limitation of this method is associated with the accuracy of the logging data acquisition, normalization factors, and facies template selection criteria.

Factors Controlling Porosity Permeability Relationship for Reservoir Quality Prediction: A Case Study of Malay Basin Reservoir, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadzlin Hasani Kasim ◽  
Budi Priyatna Kantaatmadja ◽  
Wan Nur Wan M Zainudin ◽  
Amita Ali ◽  
Hasnol Hady Ismail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Visual Analysis ◽  
Mineral Dissolution ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Reservoir Quality ◽  
Hydrocarbon Potential ◽  
Lower Grade ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Reservoir Evaluation ◽  
Porosity And Permeability

Abstract Predicting the spatial distribution of rock properties is the key to a successful reservoir evaluation for hydrocarbon potential. However, a reservoir with a complex environmental setting (e.g. shallow marine) becomes more challenging to be characterized due to variations of clay, grain size, compaction, cementation, and other diagenetic effects. The assumption of increasing permeability value with an increase of porosity may not be always the case in such an environment. This study aims to investigate factors controlling the porosity and permeability relationships at Lower J Reservoir of J20, J25, and J30, Malay Basin. Porosity permeability values from routine core analysis were plotted accordingly in four different sets which are: lithofacies based, stratigraphic members based, quartz volume-based, and grain-sized based, to investigate the trend in relating porosity and permeability distribution. Based on petrographical studies, the effect of grain sorting, mineral type, and diagenetic event on reservoir properties was investigated and characterized. The clay type and its morphology were analyzed using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Spectral electron microscopy. Results from porosity and permeability cross-plot show that lithofacies type play a significant control on reservoir quality. It shows that most of the S1 and S2 located at top of the plot while lower grade lithofacies of S41, S42, and S43 distributed at the middle and lower zone of the plot. However, there are certain points of best and lower quality lithofacies not located in the theoretical area. The detailed analysis of petrographic studies shows that the diagenetic effect of cementation and clay coating destroys porosity while mineral dissolution improved porosity. A porosity permeability plot based on stratigraphic members showed that J20 points located at the top indicating less compaction effect to reservoir properties. J25 and J30 points were observed randomly distributed located at the middle and bottom zone suggesting that compaction has less effect on both J25 and J30 sands. Lithofacies description that was done by visual analysis through cores only may not correlate-able with rock properties. This is possibly due to the diagenetic effect which controls porosity and permeability cannot visually be seen at the core. By incorporating petrographical analysis results, the relationship between porosity, permeability, and lithofacies can be further improved for better reservoir characterization. The study might change the conventional concept that lower quality lithofacies does not have economic hydrocarbon potential and unlock more hydrocarbon-bearing reserves especially in these types of environmental settings.

scholarly journals Estimation of reservoir properties from seismic data by smooth neural networks

Geophysics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1969-1983 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Saggaf ◽  
M. Nafi Toksöz ◽  
H. M. Mustafa
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Back Propagation ◽  
Reservoir Rock ◽  
Seismic Survey ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Network Parameters ◽  
Generalization Problem ◽  
Validation Tests

The performance of traditional back‐propagation networks for reservoir characterization in production settings has been inconsistent due to their nonmonotonous generalization, which necessitates extensive tweaking of their parameters in order to achieve satisfactory results and avoid overfitting the data. This makes the accuracy of these networks sensitive to the selection of the network parameters. We present an approach to estimate the reservoir rock properties from seismic data through the use of regularized back propagation networks that have inherent smoothness characteristics. This approach alleviates the nonmonotonous generalization problem associated with traditional networks and helps to avoid overfitting the data. We apply the approach to a 3D seismic survey in the Shedgum area of Ghawar field, Saudi Arabia, to estimate the reservoir porosity distribution of the Arab‐D zone, and we contrast the accuracy of our approach with that of traditional back‐propagation networks through cross‐validation tests. The results of these tests indicate that the accuracy of our approach remains consistent as the network parameters are varied, whereas that of the traditional network deteriorates as soon as deviations from the optimal parameters occur. The approach we present thus leads to more robust estimates of the reservoir properties and requires little or no tweaking of the network parameters to achieve optimal results.

Characterisation of a highly heterogeneous geothermal reservoir based on geophysical well logs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Bauer ◽  
Daniela Pfrang ◽  
Michael Krumbholz
Keyword(s):  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Geothermal Reservoir ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Geophysical Logging ◽  
Matrix Permeability ◽  
Geophysical Well Logs

<p>For successful exploitation of geothermal reservoirs, temperature and transmissibility are key factors. The Molasse Basin in Germany is a region in which these requirements are frequently fulfilled. In particular, the Upper Jurassic Malm aquifer, which benefits from high permeability due to locally intense karstification, hosts a large number of successful geothermal projects. Most of these are located close to Munich and the “Stadtwerke München (SWM)” intends to use this potential to generate most of the district heating demands from geothermal plants by 2040.</p><p>We use geophysical logging data and sidewall cores to analyse the spatial distribution of reservoir properties that determine porosity, permeability, and temperature distribution. The data are derived from six deviated wells drilled from one well site. The reservoir rocks are separated by faults and lie in three different tectonic blocks. The datasets include image logs, GR, sonic velocities, temperature, flowmeter- and mud logs. We not only focus on correlations between rock porosity and matrix permeability, but also on how permeability provided by fractures and karstification correlate with inflow zones and reservoir temperature. In addition, we correlate individual parameters with respect to their lithology, dolomitisation and the rock’s image fabric type, adapted from Steiner and Böhm (2011).  </p><p>Our results show that fracture intensity and orientations vary strongly, between and within individual wells. However, we observed local trends between fracture systems and rock properties. For instance fracture intensities and v<sub>p</sub> velocities (implying lower porosities) are higher in rock sections classified as dolomites without bedding contacts. As these homogeneous-appearing dolomites increase, from N to S, the mean fracture intensities and v<sub>p</sub> velocities also increase. Furthermore, we observed most frequently substantial karstification in dolomites and dolomitic limestones. Nevertheless, an opposing trend for the percentage of substantial karstification can be also found, i.e., the amount of massive karstification is higher in the northern wells. The interpretation of flowmeter measurements show that the main inflow zones concentrate in those Upper Malm sections that are characterised by karstification and/or intense fracturing.</p><p>In the next step, we will correlate laboratory measurements of outcrop- and reservoir samples (e.g. porosity, permeability, and mechanical rock properties) with the logging data. The aim is to test the degree to which analogue samples can contribute to reservoir characterization in the Upper Jurassic Malm Aquifer (Bauer et al., 2017).</p><p>This work is carried out in the research project REgine "Geophysical-geological based reservoir engineering for deep-seated carbonates" and is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (FKZ: 0324332B).</p><p>Bauer, J. F., Krumbholz, M., Meier, S., and Tanner, D. C.: Predictability of properties of a fractured geothermal reservoir: The opportunities and limitations of an outcrop analogue study, Geothermal Energy, 5, 24, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-017-0081-0, 2017.</p><p>Steiner, U., Böhm, F.: Lithofacies and Structure in Imagelogs of Carbonates and their Reservoir Implications in Southern Germany. Extended Abstract 1st Sustainable Earth Sciences Conference & Exhibition – Technologies for Sustainable Use of the Deep Sub-surface, Valencia, Spain, 8-11 November, 2011.</p>

Interpretation of geologic facies in seismic volume using key rock elastic properties and high-definition facies templates

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. SE11-SE27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahbub Alam ◽  
Sabita Makoon-Singh ◽  
Joan Embleton ◽  
David Gray ◽  
Larry Lines
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Properties ◽  
Oil Recovery ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Effective Porosity ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
High Definition ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Particle Volume ◽  
Reservoir Architecture

We have developed a deterministic workflow in mapping the small-scale (centimeter level) subseismic geologic facies and reservoir properties from conventional poststack seismic data. The workflow integrated multiscale (micrometer to kilometer level) data to estimate rock properties such as porosity, permeability, and grain size from the core data; effective porosity, resistivity, and fluid saturations using petrophysical analyses from the log data; and rock elastic properties from the log and poststack seismic data. Rock properties, such as incompressibility (lambda), rigidity (mu), and density (rho) are linked to the fine-particle-volume (FPV) ranges of different facies templates. High-definition facies templates were used in building the high-resolution (centimeter level) near-wellbore images. Facies distribution and reservoir properties between the wells were extracted and mapped from the FPV data volume built from the poststack seismic volume. Our study focused on the heavy oil-bearing Cretaceous McMurray Formation in northern Alberta. The internal reservoir architecture, such as the stacked channel bars, inclined heterolithic strata, and shale plugs, is intricate due to reservoir heterogeneity. Drilling success or optimum oil recovery will depend on whether the reservoir model accurately describes this heterogeneity. Thus, it is very important to properly identify the distribution of the permeability barriers and shale plugs in the reservoir zone. Dense vertical well control and dozens of horizontal well pairs over the area of investigation confirm a very good correlation of the geologic facies interpreted between the wells from the seismic volume.

scholarly journals Quantifying occurrence of deformation bands in sandstone as a function of structural and petrophysical factors and their impact on reservoir quality: an example from outcrop analog of Productive Series (Pliocene), South Caspian Basin

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahriyar Alkhasli ◽  
Gasham Zeynalov ◽  
Aydin Shahtakhtinskiy
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Caspian Basin ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Deformation Bands ◽  
South Caspian Basin ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Natural Gamma

AbstractDeformation bands (DB) are known to influence porosity and permeability in sandstones. This study aims to predict the occurrence of DB and to quantify their impact on reservoir properties based on field measurements in the steeply dipping limb of a kilometer-scale fold in Yasamal Valley, western South Caspian Basin. An integrated approach of characterizing bands and their effect on reservoir properties included measurements of natural gamma radioactivity and permeability using portable tools, along with bed dip and the count of DB across distinct facies. A set of core analyses was performed on outcrop plugs with and without bands to estimate the alteration of rock properties at the pore scale. Interpretation of outcrop gamma-ray data indicates the absence of bands in Balakhany sandstones containing shale volume greater than 18% for unconsolidated and 32% for calcite-rich facies. A high amount of calcite cement appears to increase the number of DB. A poor, positive trend between bed dip and DB concentration was identified. We show that net to gross, defined as the thickness fraction of sandstone bound by mudstones, is among the parameters controlling the occurrence of bands. Samples containing a single DB show a 33% and 3% decrease in permeability and porosity, respectively, relative to the host rock. We reveal a new set of lithological and petrophysical factors influencing DB occurrence. This study offers a direct tool that can be applied in subsurface reservoir analogs to predict the occurrence and concentration of DB and estimate their influence on rock properties.

Latest developments in seismic texture analysis for subsurface structure, facies, and reservoir characterization: A review

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. W1-W13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dengliang Gao
Keyword(s):  
Texture Analysis ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Preliminary Test ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Seismic Amplitude ◽  
Texture Model ◽  
Facies Classification ◽  
Analysis Window

In exploration geology and geophysics, seismic texture is still a developing concept that has not been sufficiently known, although quite a number of different algorithms have been published in the literature. This paper provides a review of the seismic texture concepts and methodologies, focusing on latest developments in seismic amplitude texture analysis, with particular reference to the gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and the texture model regression (TMR) methods. The GLCM method evaluates spatial arrangements of amplitude samples within an analysis window using a matrix (a two-dimensional histogram) of amplitude co-occurrence. The matrix is then transformed into a suite of texture attributes, such as homogeneity, contrast, and randomness, which provide the basis for seismic facies classification. The TMR method uses a texture model as reference to discriminate among seismic features based on a linear, least-squares regression analysis between the model and the data within an analysis window. By implementing customized texture model schemes, the TMR algorithm has the flexibility to characterize subsurface geology for different purposes. A texture model with a constant phase is effective at enhancing the visibility of seismic structural fabrics, a texture model with a variable phase is helpful for visualizing seismic facies, and a texture model with variable amplitude, frequency, and size is instrumental in calibrating seismic to reservoir properties. Preliminary test case studies in the very recent past have indicated that the latest developments in seismic texture analysis have added to the existing amplitude interpretation theories and methodologies. These and future developments in seismic texture theory and methodologies will hopefully lead to a better understanding of the geologic implications of the seismic texture concept and to an improved geologic interpretation of reflection seismic amplitude.

Assessing Bypassed Hydrocarbons

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stanley Oifoghe ◽  
Nora Alarcon ◽  
Lucrecia Grigoletto
Keyword(s):  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
West African ◽  
The Novel ◽  
The West ◽  
Present Case Study ◽  
Novel Model

Abstract Hydrocarbons are bypassed in known fields. This is due to reservoir heterogeneities, complex lithology, and limitations of existing technology. This paper seeks to identify the scenarios of bypassed hydrocarbons, and to highlight how advances in reservoir characterization techniques have improved assessment of bypassed hydrocarbons. The present case study is an evaluation well drilled on the continental shelf, off the West African Coastline. The targeted thin-bedded reservoir sands are of Cenomanian age. Some technologies for assessing bypassed hydrocarbon include Gamma Ray Spectralog and Thin Bed Analysis. NMR is important for accurate reservoir characterization of thinly bedded reservoirs. The measured NMR porosity was 15pu, which is 42% of the actual porosity. Using the measured values gave a permeability of 5.3mD as against the actual permeability of 234mD. The novel model presented in this paper increased the porosity by 58% and the permeability by 4315%.

A Fast Gridding Method for Capturing Geological Complexity and Uncertainty

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifei Xu ◽  
Priyesh Srivastava ◽  
Xiao Ma ◽  
Karan Kaul ◽  
Hao Huang
Keyword(s):  
Efficient Method ◽  
Reservoir Simulation ◽  
History Matching ◽  
Mapping Method ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Structural Framework ◽  
Assisted History Matching ◽  
Grid Topology ◽  
Geological Complexity ◽  
Complex Channel

Abstract In this paper, we introduce an efficient method to generate reservoir simulation grids and modify the fault juxtaposition on the generated grids. Both processes are based on a mapping method to displace vertices of a grid to desired locations without changing the grid topology. In the gridding process, a grid that can capture stratigraphical complexity is first generated in an unfaulted space. The vertices of the grid are then displaced back to the original faulted space to become a reservoir simulation grid. The resulting reversely mapped grid has a mapping structure that allows fast and easy fault juxtaposition modification. This feature avoids the process of updating the structural framework and regenerating the reservoir properties, which may be time-consuming. To facilitate juxtaposition updates within an assisted history matching workflow, several parameterized fault throw adjustment methods are introduced. Grid examples are given for reservoirs with Y-faults, overturned bed, and complex channel-lobe systems.

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