--> Abstract: Dipmeter Application in Canadian Oil Sands Development – Evolution from Predicting Potential Block Slides to 3D Geological Interpretation and Modelling, by Milovan Fustic, Ron Spencer, Steve Hubbard, Barry Bennett, and Steve Larter; #90072 (2007)
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Dipmeter Application in Canadian Oil Sands Development – Evolution from Predicting Potential Block Slides to 3D Geological Previous HitInterpretationNext Hit and Modelling

Milovan Fustic1, Ron Spencer2, Steve Hubbard3, Previous HitBarryTop Bennett2, and Steve Larter2
1University Of Calgary, (presently with NEXEN Inc.), Calgary, AB
2University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
3University Of Calgary, Calgary, AB

At the Athabasca Oil Sands, Canada, a majority of bitumen is hosted in clastic sediments of the Lower Cretaceous McMurray Formation, which is further informally divided into mappable units representing fluvial, open estuarine, tidally influenced estuarine channel complex (ECC), and shallow marine deposits. ECC deposits comprise facies assemblages that include point bar, abandoned channel-fill, and tidal flat deposits, which create complex internal geometries, architectures and associated reservoir properties. These complexities are associated with significant lateral and vertical bitumen grade/saturation variability (0-15 mass %). In order to resolve, or at least to minimize, some of the challenges in reservoir mapping, dipmeter logs are commonly employed to provide additional information. Case studies suggest that the dipmeter may be applied for:
1) Depth correction while describing cores; 2) Predicting the presence of steeply dipping layers (potential block slides in open pit mines); 3) Recognition of channel fill type (lateral versus vertical accretion); 4) Well to well correlation; 5) Estimation of vertical continuity (thickness) within channel fill; 6) Estimation of lateral extent of point bar deposits; 7) Prediction of bitumen grade; 8) 3D geological modelling
Despite this, the dipmeter commonly remains under-utilized by industry.
The intent of this review is not only to show the evolution of dipmeter applications, but also to demonstrate the advantages, simplicity, and additional potential utility in the mapping and extraction of bitumen in the Athabasca Oil Sands, as well as to provide insights for interpreting and modelling similar reservoir types elsewhere in the world.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90072 © 2007 AAPG and AAPG European Region Conference, Athens, Greece