Description of Reservoir-Scale Processes Over Geological Timescales Using a Petroleum Systems Modeling Approach

J. Derks², M. Al-Hajeri¹, M. Al-Saeed¹, O. Swientek², T. Fuchs², and A. Kauerauf^2
1KOC, Kuwait
²IES GmbH, Aachen

In order to explain small-scale processes in reservoirs in oil provinces, knowledge of the geologic history of the reservoirs and respective petroleum system elements is needed. In particular the reconstruction of pre-production PVT-conditions and charge timing of a reservoir are of high importance to understand the reservoir system. Modeling of reservoir-scale features and processes through geologic time is limited by the resolution of basin-scale petroleum system models. Maturation of source rocks and migration is normally described on scales of kilometers. On the other hand reservoir models cannot describe processes on geologic timescales leading to conditions before start of production. Linking a regional-scale basin model describing the charge of a petroleum system including migration to the prospect/field and a high-resolution geologic model on reservoir-scale describing the geometries and litho-properties of the reservoirs can help to solve this problem much more accurately. Pressure and temperature development through geologic time within the reservoir can be modeled in more detail and re-migration within the reservoir can be described in much higher resolution. The ability to describe reservoir-scale features caused by processes over geologic time can provide important information for improved production and long-term extraction strategies. The application of this approach in basin modeling is presented and examples are given where the linking of models with different resolutions is used to describe a well-explored petroleum system including migration more accurately.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90091©2009 AAPG Hedberg Research Conference, May 3-7, 2009 - Napa, California, U.S.A.