--> ABSTRACT: Improved Reservoir Definition through the Identification of Incised Valleys, Orinoco Oil Belt, Eastern Venezuela Basin, by M. Fuenmayor and E. Garcia; #91021 (2010)

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Improved Reservoir Definition through the Identification of Incised Valleys, Orinoco Oil Belt, Eastern Venezuela Basin

FUENMAYOR, MIGUEL and ESTEBAN GARCIA

Valley incision has been identified as one of the main factors controlling sedimentation of several stratigraphic horizons within the Miocene-Oligocene Merecure and Oficina formations, of the Eastern Venezuela Basin.

In the study area, which covers the Arecuna and Bare blocks of the Orinoco Oil Belt, several north-south trending incised Valleys were identified through the interpretation of 130 Km{2} of 3D seismic. These incised Valleys show the typical concave-up shape at the base, and flat top. Some internal geometries that resemble lateral accretion surfaces and truncating geometries of seismic reflectors against the base of the incised valleys are clearly present. The width of the valleys ranges between 10 and 15 km and thicknesses between 100 and 150 feet.

The integration of geological, geophysical and production data from 148 wells area used to define the external and internal geometries, and facies assemblage of the incised Valleys. Structural and stratigraphic framework assemblage helped define structural closure as a key factor controlling oil entrapment. Risk assessment of associated reservoirs has improved through this study, as well as the definition of development strategies. Total oil in place in the incised valleys is estimated in the order of 956 MMBIs of heavy crude oil. Cumulative production amounts to 114 MMBIs.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91021©1997 AAPG Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.