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Reducing
Uncertainty in Hydrocarbon Pore Volume Estimation of Giant Multi-Layered
Reservoirs,
Al-Sabti, Hussain, Saudi Aramco,
Integrated Reservoir studies coupled with leading edge
technology that Saudi Aramco uses has had a profound
impact on reducing the uncertainty of hydrocarbon pore volume estimates. Experienced,
multidisciplinary teams have been assembled to apply geological, geophysical
and petrophysical technology to perform fully
integrated reservoir studies, which will expand and accurately define the pore
volume base of Aramco’s reservoirs. In the past few
years, Aramco has implemented a major program to
review existing Special Core Analysis studies and perform new petrophysical studies wherever deemed necessary. These data
were interpreted to define and characterize rock types and then integrated with
other geological and production data to better define the storage and flow
capacity/characteristics of the reservoir. This presentation will discuss the
multiple techniques used in this integrated approach with an emphasis on petrophysical techniques. Some of the examples that are
described in this presentation are log-to-core calibration, saturation
estimations using electrical property measurements, capillary pressure and
saturation height functions and reservoir cutoffs techniques.
Special Core
Analysis studies are used to characterize fit-for-purpose rock types; which may
address problems of flow, saturation, residual oil saturation and water cut for
examples. The petrophysical parameters associated
with each rock type are then used to integrate core, log, performance,
geological and simulated performance. Rock types tied to the geology and
saturations are then distributed throughout the 3D Geocellular
model using saturation-height models for an accurate estimate of hydrocarbons
in place. Implementation of new technology such as NMR and ECS coupled with
these advanced petrophysical models are very useful
in relating core based petrophysical properties to
reservoir scale attributes; lithology, reservoir
quality, movable and bound fluids, transition zones and productive intervals
for hydrocarbon production. This petrophysical
approach to our integrated studies has resulted in substantial amount of
hydrocarbon pore volume revision for many of our reservoirs.