--> Abstract: A Sequential Approach to Reservoir Characterization, by J. Kramers, S. Bachu, D. Cuthiell, and L-P. Yuan; #91012 (1992).

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ABSTRACT: A Sequential Approach to Reservoir Characterization

KRAMERS, JOHN, STEFAN BACHU, DAVE CUTHIELL, and LI-PING YUAN, Alberta Geological Survey, Alberta Research Council, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Numerical characterization for reservoir simulation requires a sequential approach, starting with a detailed understanding of the geology; pore systems and fluid distributions; defining the flow units; and finally, scaling-up conventional core analysis permeability and porosity data to the flow unit or grid block scale. A Lower Cretaceous channel reservoir in east-central Alberta was used as a case study to develop and apply an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to reservoir characterization.

Different methodologies were adopted for the various flow units, depending on their internal characteristics. Statistical techniques were used for the "relatively uniform" sandy portions of the reservoir. These ranged from the geometric average for flow units with no trend in horizontal permeability values, to an integrated average of the trend in permeability values for flow units where permeability varies with depth. For the heterogeneous flow units, composed of shale breccia in a sand matrix, the scaling-up of permeability values was carried out by means of fluid flow simulations through numerical analogs of actual and synthetic core images. General curves were developed that relate shale breccia content and shape to effective permeability. The combination of these methodologies ha resulted in a quantitative characterization of each reservoir flow unit at every well location and provided numerical values to be used as input in reservoir simulations. This sequential approach to reservoir characterization can be applied to a wide variety of siliciclastic reservoirs. (AOSTRA/ARC Joint Geological Research Program.)

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91012©1992 AAPG Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 22-25, 1992 (2009)