Integrated 3D and 4D characterization and modeling of fractured reservoirs

P. Richard¹, L. Bazalgette², K. Rawnsley², and P. Swaby³
¹Shell International, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
²Petroleum Development Oman, Muscat, Oman
³Shell International, London, UK

Abstract

A significant proportion of the world future hydrocarbon production resides in fractured reservoirs. The success of the recovery methods relies on a good understanding and appropriate modeling of the fracture network. In order to support field development strategies, numerous fracture characterization and modelling studies have been and will continue to be carried out. In Shell E&P, one key enabler for these studies is a new integrated software technology, SVS Fracture Solutions, developed by the Carbonate Expertise and Research Teams, thanks to a collaboration of experts from all subsurface disciplines.

The key pillar of the SVS Fracture Solutions workflow is detailed fracture characterization, captured in a series of conceptual models, which reflect the range of the subsurface uncertainties to be expected. SVS Fracture Solutions integrates data from various sources (wells, seismic, petrophysics, geomechanics, 3D stress tensors, outcrop analyses, dynamic data etc.), in combination with field kinematic structural evolution, analogue fields and the regional understanding. Once the conceptual models have been developed, they can be transformed into discrete fracture models, and upscaled into cellular property arrays (e.g. permeability anisotropy, fracture spacing etc) for reservoir simulation.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #120140© 2014 AAPG Hedberg Conference 3D Structural Geologic Interpretation: Earth, Mind and Machine, June 23-27, 2013, Reno, Nevada