Optimizing Subsurface Predictions in a Mississippian Carbonate Field. Central Alberta, Canada - Part 2

Abstract

Co-Authors: Torr Haglund, Statcom Ltd. Calgary, Canada; Glenn Sather, Nutech, Calgary, Canada.

Previously we presented the Highvale Oil pool, located in Central Alberta, Canada, which produces light oil from dolomitized carbonates of the Mississippian Banff Formation. We employed a systematic approach to the integration of outcrop data, a pre-existing 3D seismic survey and petrophysical log data to gain a clear definition of the subsurface. This approach includes outcrop analysis, the creation of an zone internal stratigraphic correlation within the erosional remnants of the Banff Formation, the identification of fluid contacts, estimation of saturations and porosity, mineral identification and the integration of recently developed 5D interpolation of seismic data to regularize and fill in data gaps, to increase the fold and create the common depth point gathers more suited to pre-stack time migration (PSTM). Further to this, we have taken available data, including seismic characterization parameters such as amplitude, wavelet characterization, attribute analysis pre-stack fracture analysis and mineralogy through x-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. Core calibrated petrophysical log characterization was provided by NuTech and the output parameters include, effective porosity, BVI, free water, hydrocarbon pore volume, clay volume, and permeability. In this study, we have used multivariate analysis to quantify well performance. Well performance has been normalized by lateral length, completion type and time on production. With normalized well production, we can analyze productivity and comment on best practices concerning drilling and completions along with key reservoir parameters and subsequent economic performance. This study has also shown how the integration of available data and disciplines can result in improved economic performance. The adage “you cannot engineer bad rock” is more prevalent today than ever as we move forward with more complicated plays, increased horizontal lateral length, increased artificial frac stages and drilling complexity.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90350 © 2019 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, May 19-22, 2019