Abstract: Multidisciplinary Team Modeling of a Complex Sandstone Reservoir, Colorado

R. Slatt, R. Thompson, R. Graves, T. Davis, R. Benson, C. Van Kirk, D. Edington, C. Huffman, H. Araujo, A. Prestridge, J. Bergstrom, A. Banahene, T. Schenk, J. Jalaludin, K. Muhamed

A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) research grant was awarded to Colorado School of Mines to develop a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to characterizing the architecture, behavior and economics of a petroleum reservoir. This approach was intended to provide a development strategy model for application by small to large petroleum companies.

A multidisciplinary faculty/student team was formed. A structurally/stratigraphically complex oil/gas producing Cretaceous sandstone was selected because the 1100 wells, several cores, 3D seismic survey, and numerous well performance/test results that were available were ideal for establishing data requirements and procedures for optimal characterization.

Well data were entered into a PC-based spreadsheet/analysis system. Statistical treatments were developed to easily identify anomalous well picks from the large database which might be a result of typographical/transcription errors, deviated wells, and miscorrelations, in addition to geologic factors. Computer-generated maps and cross-sections were constructed from this 'clean' database to develop a basic stratigraphic and structural framework, which was then refined by interpretation of 3D seismic, well test, and performance data. The 3D seismic was particularly useful in detecting faults/fractures that were too small to be recognized from well information, but which proved to be significant in controlling reservoir fluid distributions and flow behavior. Several iterations of this pr cedure by the whole team resulted in a comprehensive geologic model of the reservoir which conformed to performance characteristics, and which opened up new opportunities in a 'mature' hydrocarbon basin.

This systematic approach can be applied relatively quickly to areas in which a large amount of information is available which might otherwise be avoided owing to time constraints.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90956©1995 AAPG International Convention and Exposition Meeting, Nice, France