--> Abstract: Visualization and Animation of Production Data from the Montebello Reservoir within a 3-D Geologic and Petrophysical Context, by D. Jefferis and T. Eilerts; #90911 (2000)

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Abstract: Visualization and Animation of Production Data from the Montebello Reservoir within a 3-D Geologic and Petrophysical Context

JEFFERIS, DAVID, Plains Resources Inc., San Luis Obispo, CA; TONI EILERTS, Plains Resources Inc., Houston, TX

Three-dimensional geologic and petrophysical models of hydrocarbon reservoirs are developed to support a variety of exploitation activities: determination of original and current hydrocarbons in-place; initialization of reservoir simulation models; well planning; steam and water-flood optimization; and, reservoir surveillance to name a few. As a reservoir is exploited, the amount of information describing both its character and its performance continually grows. This is both a blessing and a curse to the geoscientists and engineers working to maximize the profitability of the resource. Decision making under uncertainty remains, but possibly, the 'state-of-nature' of the resource becomes better known. If this is true, then the probability of making the 'right' decision should improve. The problem we are faced with is how to effectively and efficiently analyze this increasing mound of information in an integrated fashion.

The initial numerical characterization of a reservoir is a static representation; as it is exploited, both the rocks (e.g., compaction) and fluids change state, thus reservoir characterization is now a dynamic process. Therefore, being able to visualize both the changes in the reservoir character and the amount and types of fluids produced becomes very important to making the right decisions. By using animation along with the traditional 3-D visualization tools, the complex relationships between spatial variables (e.g., sand continuity) and the observed temporal variables (e.g., produced fluids) can be explored and better understood.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90911©2000 AAPG Pacific Section and Western Region Society of Petroleum Engineers, Long Beach, California