--> Toward the Creation of Models to Predict Static and Dynamic Fault Seal Potential in Carbonates
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Toward the Creation of Models to Predict Static and Dynamic Previous HitFaultNext Hit Seal Potential in Carbonates

Abstract

In contrast to faults in clastic reservoirs, rules to predict Previous HitfaultNext Hit-seal potential on an exploration and/or production timescale in carbonates are lacking. This makes it difficult to accurately risk Previous HitfaultNext Hit-defined carbonate prospects or to identify infill drilling targets in more mature carbonate fields. Production timescale sealing behavior is better-constrained than exploration time scale behavior. There are a number of carbonate reservoirs with cross-Previous HitfaultNext Hit column height differences that represent examples of apparent static Previous HitfaultNext Hit seal but verification of these examples requires understanding of lithological/diagenetic patterns in the reservoir, variations in fluid properties and reservoir pressures and the charge and deformation histories of the traps. There are examples of better-constrained production time scale Previous HitfaultNext Hit seal in carbonate reservoirs and aquifers. These include cross-Previous HitfaultNext Hit differences in water table depths across carbonateā€“carbonate juxtapositions, cross-Previous HitfaultNext Hit pressure differences in carbonate aquifers separated by faults, production-induced cross-Previous HitfaultNext Hit pressure differences in carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs, sealing behavior of faults in carbonate reservoirs inferred from well tests, and examples of low Previous HitfaultNext Hit transmissibilities from history-matching exercises from carbonate reservoirs. Modelling indicates the time needed for re-equilibration of production-induced cross-Previous HitfaultNext Hit pressure differences using a realistic range of carbonate Previous HitfaultNext Hit permeabilities can exceed 100,000 years. This indicates that at least some faults in carbonates are sufficiently sealing to create infill drilling targets and lends support to the idea that faults in carbonates are capable of sealing on a geological time scale. With that said, the purpose of this presentation is not to argue that every Previous HitfaultNext Hit in a carbonate reservoir will seal or will even be capable of sealing. This study shows, however, that there are enough examples of faults in carbonates that are sealing in either a static or dynamic sense that predictions of carbonate Previous HitfaultTop seal potential are needed.