Abstract: Subsurface Integration With Shared Earth Models

David Gawith, Pamela Gutteridge

The seismic response of a reservoir is a function of rock type, geometry and pore fluids; 3D seismic data therefore contains information on the nature of reservoir rocks, the geometry of flow units, and the distribution of gas, oil and water. Proper integration of seismic interpretation and modelling with static reservoir description and flow simulation will make the most of the information available and will lead to optimal prediction of reservoir performance.

One approach to this integration is through the construction of detailed numerical models of reservoir geology and properties; if the models are sufficiently accurate then both seismic response and dynamic behaviour calculated from them will match closely the behaviour of the actual reservoir. This means that the reservoir engineer's interpretation of dynamic data can be made in a geological context and that both static and dynamic models can be kept fully consistent with the information held in seismic data. These detailed models, combining geology, geophysics and reservoir properties, are known as Shared Earth Models.

We show examples of detailed geological modelling made to honour geophysical observations, and of the use of seismic modelling to support reservoir engineering.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90956©1995 AAPG International Convention and Exposition Meeting, Nice, France