--> Abstract: An ED-Like Method for 3D Structural Restoration and QC of Planar Faulted Reservoirs; #90063 (2007)

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An ED-Like Method for 3D Structural Restoration and QC of Planar Faulted Reservoirs

 

Freeman, Brett1, Alan Gibbs2, Graham Yielding1, Stephen J. Dee3, Alan Roberts4, Peter Bretan1 (1) Badley Geoscience Ltd, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom (2) Midland Valley Exploration Ltd, Glasgow, United Kingdom (3) Badley Geoscience Limited, Hundleby, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom (4) Badley Geoscience Ltd, Hundleby, Spilsby, Lincs, United Kingdom

 

Structural restoration and fault displacement mapping are both useful and (to some degree) independent techniques for assessing the validity of structural interpretation. Restoration is usually performed using a kinematic model of the volume deformation whereas displacement mapping is, as far as possible, direct observation. Restorations using mechanical or physics based methods, including boundary element elastic dislocation (ED) approaches, are computationally expensive and are often difficult to pose.

 

In this paper we propose a hybrid method that models volume displacement defined by an ED-like displacement function but with a kinematic implementation. The shape of the displacement function is exponential and ellipsoidal; its magnitude is scaled such that the volume of the 1% strain isosurface has approximately the same volume as that for an elastic dislocation of equal moment and dimensions. The displacement vector can be chosen arbitrarily and is, most simply, everywhere parallel to the interpreted fault slip vector.

 

The benefits of this method are (a) it is computationally cheap (b) the effects of all faults are dealt with at the same time (c) the procedure runs directly on the geological model and (d) the combined use of restored horizon metrics and fault displacement maps provide a compelling route to 3D validation/QC.

 

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California