--> Abstract: A Structurally Complex and Dynamic Reservoir Description for Reservoir Simulation, Kuparuk River Field, Alaska, by T. P. Walsh, M. H. Leander, T. C. Wilcox, and T. J. Lasseter; #90956 (1995).
[First Hit]

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Abstract: A Structurally Complex and Dynamic Previous HitReservoirNext Hit Description for Previous HitReservoirNext Hit Previous HitSimulationNext Hit, Kuparuk River Field, Alaska

Thomas P. Walsh, Mark H. Leander, Terry C. Wilcox, Thomas J. Lasseter

The Kuparuk River Field is a structurally complex giant oil field adjacent to the Prudhoe Bay Field on Alaska's North Slope. Oil is reservoired within two Early Cretaceous shallow marine sandstone formations, separated stratigraphically by an erosionally truncated marine silt/shale. Subjected to several phases of tectonism, this highly compartmentalized Previous HitreservoirNext Hit has been developed on regular 160 acre direct line drive patterns.

An integrated team of geoscientists and engineers from BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. and ARCO Alaska Inc. is presently quantifying the benefits of infill drilling at Kuparuk, and identifying the best locations for well placement. The two primary Previous HitreservoirNext Hit characteristics believed to impact the effectiveness of infill drilling are large-scale Previous HitreservoirNext Hit heterogeneity, and Previous HitreservoirNext Hit compartmentation due to faulting. Multiple thin pay zones within the two Previous HitreservoirNext Hit intervals are isolated laterally by faults with magnitudes greater than pay zone thickness. A process and tools designed to construct and maintain a structurally complex Previous HitreservoirNext Hit description, shared by the geoscientists and Previous HitreservoirNext Hit engineers, are described. Cross-discipline integration is aided by the use of Tech*Logic's IREX 3-D Previous HitreservoirNext Hit Previous HitmodelingNext Hit and visualization application.

The unique architecture of the IREX model allows for representation of very complex structural geometries, and facilitates iteration between Previous HitreservoirNext Hit description and Previous HitsimulationNext Hit, along the seismic to Previous HitsimulationNext Hit continuum Modifications to the Previous HitreservoirNext Hit description are guided by well-level history matching within the constraints of all available geoscience information. The techniques described will be of particular interest to those working on Previous HitreservoirNext Hit description and Previous HitsimulationTop of structurally complex fields.

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