Print this page3-D Integrated Basin Simulation and Visualization
MOECKEL, GEORGE P., DENIS P. SCHMITT, ANNETTE A. WALSH, and C. T. TAN
Numerical basin simulation with 3-phase, compositional fluid flow In three spatial dimensions provides a quantitative prediction of petroleum prospectivity. SEXTANT is a 3D, integrated basin simulator with numerical modeling features capable of quantifying many of the important geochemical, geomechanical and fluid flow processes occurring in a basin. This simulator is currently being applied to evaluate exploration drilling opportunities throughout the world.
Integrated basin simulation provides a valuable tool for quantified risk
assessment of exploration drilling opportunities by: prediction of volumes of
petroleum trapped in a reservoir, 
estimation
of the quality of entrapped
petroleum and prediction of the timing of petroleum generation and migration
relative to structural and stratigraphic trap formation. There are increasing
opportunities for application to production/ development exploitation
activities: integration of production data, selection of optimal drill sites
based on migration pathways and volumes of petroleum entrapped, the
discrimination of petroleum quality (composition) and distribution in potential
reservoirs.
Integrated basin simulation in 3D provides and ideal method to analyze the sensitivity of key petroleum system parameters on the potential for commercial hydrocarbon accumulation. The amount of data generated by a 3D basin simulation Is enormous but is made comprehensible by the use of 3D visualization techniques. Temporal and spatial variations of properties are demonstrated by color coding. Slicing can be used 10 expose information in the interior of a model. Our experience indicates that 3D visualization of the evolution of basin quantities such as oil or gas saturation, pressure, temperature and porosity in the format of an animation can bring considerable quantitative understanding of basin processes.