Integrated Reservoir Characterization within the Complex Tight Sand Reservoirs, Northern Chicontepec Basin, Mexico

The Chicontepec Formation in East Central Mexico is comprised of complex unconventional reservoirs consisting of low permeability disconnected turbidite reservoir facies. Hydraulic fracturing is necessary to produce from these otherwise tight reservoirs. Well log correlations calibrated to a recently acquired 3D seismic survey guided us to divide the Chicontepec reservoir interval in the northern part of the basin into five stratigraphic units, equivalent to global 3rd order seismic sequences. By combining well log and core information with principles of seismic geomorphology, deepwater facies within these stratigraphic units are mapped that result from the complex interaction of flows from different directions. Correlating these stratigraphic units to producing and non-producing wells provides the link between rock properties and Chicontepec reservoirs that can be delineated from surface seismic data. Petrophysical analysis defines the Chicontepec productive intervals within a small window in λρ- μρ space, which also corresponds to rock types with good fracability. The final product is a prestack inversion-driven map of stacked pay that correlates to currently producing wells and indicates potential untapped targets.  

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90142 © 2012 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, April 22-25, 2012, Long Beach, California