Improved Reservoir Characterization Using Geocellular Models and 3-D Visualization

P. Lowry
The Scotia Group Inc., Dallas, TX

3D visualization of spatial oil field data, especially combined with data cubes, reveals details of the internal characteristics of a reservoir previously unachievable with conventional reservoir characterization methods. Images including reservoir properties and wellbore data allow direct evaluation of current completions relative to fluid flow paths, identification of recompletion opportunities, planning of development drilling, and design or improvement of IOR projects. Reservoir characterization projects initiated with interpretation and visualization of a 3-D data set in mind will lead to a greater understanding of factors controlling hydrocarbon production at the same or less cost as a study based on conventional methods.

3-D cubes can include seismic data and/or geocellular models constructed from integrated seismic, log and sequence stratigraphic information. Such data sets can be interrogated to identify critical factors and those displayed in context to wellbore and completion data. Images can be navigated in 3-D (rotation, zoom and pan) and sliced to reveal internal characteristics. Sections through 3-D data sets can be used to directly evaluate the intersection of existing or planned deviated wells with high capacity portions of the reservoir.

The tools for applying this technology are now readily available to anyone who has the ambition to acquire and learn how to use them. Low cost 3-D visualization software is now available and extremely powerful tools are in the public domain. Simple geocellular data sets can be created using existing logs, a database manager and a gridding program. The availability of this technology and its proven track record in the industry for improving the knowledge of reservoir architecture make it imperative that its applicability be looked in to before embarking on a conventional study.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90905©2001 AAPG Southwest Section Meeting, Dallas, Texas