--> Abstract: Improved Characterization of Marginal Eolian Reservoirs, UK Southern North Sea, Through Modelling of Outcrop Analogs, by Samantha Taggart, Gary Hampson, and Matthew Jackson; #90078 (2008)

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Improved Characterization of Marginal Eolian Reservoirs, UK Southern North Sea, Through Modelling of Outcrop Analogs

Samantha Taggart, Gary Hampson, and Matthew Jackson
Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom

The Permian Rotliegend gas play of the UK Southern North Sea consists of eolian sandstones that pass distally into evaporite-rich lacustrine claystones. Previous development of the Southern North Sea Basin has focused on high-quality eolian sandstones. However, as these are now maturing, focus has shifted to exploring the potential of more heterogeneous, marginal reservoirs (so-called “feather-edge” play). Vertical and lateral heterogeneity within these marginal reservoirs poses a high risk to their successful development, as a result of low permeability stratigraphic units acting as potential barriers to flow.

The well-exposed Page (eolian/sabkha) and Cedar Mesa (eolian/fluvial) Sandstones in southern Utah are analogous to elements of the marginal Rotliegend play and have been studied at outcrop to investigate sedimentologic heterogeneity at reservoir and inter-well scales. Measured sections and fence panels from the outcrop analogs have enabled the lateral extent and connectivity of different sandbodies to be mapped in three dimensions. 3D reservoir models of each outcrop analog have been constructed to create an accurate realization of facies architecture. Subsurface rock and fluid property data have then been used to populate these outcrop-based models. Simulation of dry gas production from the models provides improved understanding of the way in which heterogeneity affects fluid flow patterns, reservoir behaviour and potential development of Rotliegend “feather-edge” reservoirs.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas