--> ABSTRACT: Building Better Integration between Structural Complexity and Basin Modelling, by Thibaut, Muriel; Faille, I.; Have, P.; Pegaz-Fiornet, S.; Rodet, G.; #90135 (2011)

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Building Better Integration between Structural Complexity and Basin Modelling

Thibaut, Muriel 1; Faille, I.1; Willien, F.1; Have, P.1; Pegaz-Fiornet, S.1; Rodet, G.1
(1)IFP Energies nouvelles, Rueil-Malmaison, France.

In a context of growing complexity to explore petroleum basins, significant R&D efforts are multiplied to give answers to these new challenges. In 2006, IFP Energies Nouvelles initiated the development of a new 3D basin simulator which takes into account compaction, heat transfers and maturity, but instead of beeing limited to vertical deformation as in usual petroleum system simulators, it is now able to handle faulted and moderated to highly deformed geometries.

The classical flow chart to perform a basin study is mainly composed of three steps. The first step is the building of the present day 3D model. The second one is the restoration in order to get a kinematic scenario through geological time. The last step is the forward simulation. This methodology has been equally applied to examples of growing difficulties and various environments.

Hydrocarbon flow across and along the faults is strongly controlled by lithology contrasts, clay content, diagenetic changes during time activity of the faults. With a particular attention paid to the fault definition and characterization, where across-fault flow and along-fault flow can be represented and defined, more precise fluid flow is considered during the opening/sealing activities of the faults through time.

Examples following this workflow designed for complex tectonics environments are illustrated in different case studies.

These examples demonstrate the impact of the evolution of faults hydraulic properties on pressure and fluid prediction through time and space.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90135©2011 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Milan, Italy, 23-26 October 2011.