Abstract: Use of Petrophysical-Based Reservoir Zonation and Time-Lapse, Multicomponent (4D, 3C) Seismic Attributes for Improved Geologic Modeling

PRANTER, MATTHEW J., Colorado School of Mines, Department of Geology and Geological Engineering, Golden, CO

A petrophysical-based method of defining hydraulic flow units is utilized to develop the reservoir zonation within a sequence stratigraphic framework for the San Andres Dolomite at Vacuum Field. Flow units are characterized, in part, using permeability as related to pore geometry determined from core, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, and capillary pressure analysis. The stratigraphic framework and reservoir zonation are used to build a three-dimensional reservoir model with limited or no upscaling prior to flow simulation. Using a petrophysical approach, the most significant flow units are identified resulting in an optimum number of zones which honor well data. Pore geometry characteristics are related to well log data to estimate reservoir quality in non-cored wells.

Reservoir parameters including porosity, permeability, and fluid saturations are distributed among wells by integrating seismic data. Seismic attributes, including Vp/Vs and shearwave anisotropy, are used to populate the model in the interwell space. Seismic-guided porosity and permeability provide the static reservoir properties, while variations in dynamic properties, including fluid saturations, are incorporated using data from repeated three-dimensional seismic surveys (pre- and Post-CO[2] injection).

Results of the integrated reservoir characterization and modeling will aid in forecasting production performance, enhancing sweep efficiency, and increasing ultimate recovery at Vacuum Field.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90931©1998 AAPG Foundation Grants-in-Aid