High-Performance Stratigraphic Modelling of Shelf to Deep-Water Plays

Abstract

Remote and deep-water frontier areas require accurate sedimentary facies models to reduce exploration and development risks. Thanks to the seismic and wireline data acquired over the last decades, and to the recent development of big data management technologies, it is now possible to propose high tech solutions to create an image of the subsurface geology. But, despite their reservoir scale increasing potentialities, these approaches are not yet fully applicable to assess plays in frontier areas where only few data are available.

To address exploration challenges, we propose an innovative integrated workflow using the advanced numerical stratigraphic and diagenetic forward model DionisosFlow. The aim of our study was to develop and run a fast and accurate workflow combining seismic interpretation, detailed sedimentological studies of the available wireline logs and seismic data, with deterministic stratigraphic forward model and synthetic seismic modelling at an appraisal to basin scale. Geological processes, such as tectonics and flexure, evaporite/carbonate production, weathering, transport and deposition of clastic sediments, slope stability and mass transport flows, are described by long-term and large-scale physical laws, solved using fully parallel numerical schemes and high performance computing technologies (HPC). This workflow was applied on the Neogene formations of two sedimentary margins : the Amazon Mouth Basin and the Niger Delta. A series of numerical simulations were run on a HPC cluster to simulate geological processes and the Neogene evolution of the two margins and associated deep-sea fans, but also the growth of the carbonate platform on the edge of the Amazon delta. The simulation results were calibrated to the wireline and seismic data until reaching a reasonable match between simulated and interpreted sediment proportions inside each sedimentary formations. Finally, sensitivity analysis was performed.

Thanks to this integrated HPC digital workflow, we were able to illustrate that modelling sedimentary basin dynamics at a regional to an appraisal scale by simulating geological processes makes it possible to bridge the gap between geological conceptual modelling and play fairway analysis. Furthermore, this stratigraphic and seismic modelling workflow is not restricted to regional clastic system analysis in preliminary exploration phases ; it may be extended to field development and appraisal stages either in clastic or mixed systems.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90323 ©2018 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 20-23, 2018