DONALDSON, KURT, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

ABSTRACT: An Integrated Approach to Reservoir Modeling

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the usefulness of the following procedural and analytical methods in investigating the heterogeneity of the oil reserve for the Mississippian Big Injun Sandstone of the Granny Creek field, Clay and Roane counties, West Virginia: (1) relational database, (2) two-dimensional cross sections, (3) true three-dimensional modeling, (4) geohistory analysis, (5) a rule-based expert system, and (6) geographical information systems. The large data set could not be effectively integrated and interpreted without this approach. A relational database was designed to fully integrate three- and four-dimensional data. The database provides an effective means for maintaining and manipulating the data. A two-dimensional cross section program was designed to cor elate stratigraphy, depositional environments, porosity, permeability, and petrographic data. This flexible design allows for additional four-dimensional data. Dynamic Graphics'(TM) Interactive Volume Modeling software was used to model and display porosity and permeability data that vary continuously in three-dimensional space. The basin's geohistory was reconstructed using backstripping and thermal modeling to calculate the oil window. A successful expert-system shell was created for the specific characteristics of the user and knowledge expert. The expert system simplifies the task of acquiring comprehensive knowledge of reservoir heterogeneities. A geographical information system was used to convert three-dimensional data to raster images for subsequent boolean-grid logic processing. Multivariate statistics were used to validate qualitative and spatial relationships proposed by researchers. Finally, a complete evaluation of these methods should prove valuable for future projects.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90995©1993 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Williamsburg, Virginia, September 19-21, 1993.