Focusing on Spatial Connectivity of Extreme-Valued Attributes: Stochastic Indicator Models of Reservoir Heterogeneities

A. B. Journel, F. G. Alabert

Flow simulation results are mostly influenced by patterns of spatial connectivity of extreme permeability values. These patterns are modeled by connectivity functions, which appear as two-point bivariate statistics of indicators of given threshold values that have been exceeded. The sequential indicator simulation algorithm allows building alternative equiprobable numerical models of reservoir heterogeneities, which honor any number of such connectivity functions in addition to honoring data values at their locations. The indicator formalism also allows coding and using information of soft or fuzzy nature, such as geological interpretation and seismic data. The discussion makes use of an exhaustive permeability data set taken from a slab of Berea Sandstone.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91022©1989 AAPG Annual Convention, April 23-26, 1989, San Antonio, Texas.