Fluid Flow Evolution in Foreland Fold And Thrust Belts and Its Effect On Carbonate Reservoirs

Rudy Swennen¹, Alin Jozef¹, Liesbeth Breesch², Ben Dewever², Helga Ferket¹, et al.
¹Catholic University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
²K.U.Leuven, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium

Foreland Fold and Thrust Belts have been studied worldwide (Albania, Algeria, Canada, Emirates, Mexico, Pakistan, Sicily) with the aim to unravel the structural evolution through time (using forward modelling by Thrustpack). Based on the latter the maturation history is reconstructed and the diagenetic evolution is placed into its structural context. This leads to “a dynamic caterpillar-type” approach of diagenetic evolution, since specific reservoir controlling processes will affect different areas at different times. The latter, at least the major part, can be predicted in time and with regard to its effect on reservoir development or destruction. Important processes affecting the dual porosity system to be taken into account are matrix porosity preservation and anisotropy development, recrystallisation, paleokarst development and cementation (sedimentary, forebulge and hydrothermal), seal breaching and fracturing (associated with or without host rock buffered, exotic fluid flow and cementation and buildup of overpressures). These studies allow constraining the fluid flow evolution through time in the PVTXt domain (Pressure, Volume, Temperature, chemistry (X) and time). First successful attempts to model these systems have been recently realised.

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