Creating Geologically Realistic Models Used for Reservoir Management

Creating Geologically Realistic Models

Used for Reservoir Management

Abstract

To make sensible reservoir management decisions, it is necessary to predict future reservoir performance. This allows testing and optimization of reservoir management strategies before making large investments. When displacement mechanisms change or geologic description is different from current well locations, this prediction is usually done with reservoir simulation models. Because geologic features determine the connectivity and productivity of the reservoir, it is important to ensure that models realistically represent the reservoir description in order to provide plausible predictions. Challenges associated with constructing these models include:

• Uncertainty in the geologic description – measurements are sparse, and do not always resolve the relevant features. It isn’t always known which features are relevant to reservoir performance.
• Geometry and stacking of geologic objects like channels and lobes are difficult to represent in cellular models
• Multiple descriptions may exist that are consistent with available data

This presentation describes how reservoir models are used in making reservoir management decisions, and outlines a strategy for creating realistic reservoir models. Examples are provided of applying some elements of this strategy.