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Reservoir
Modeling, OPL 248, Deepwater
McGee, David T., Douglas S. Moore, Gary Wu, David W. Burge, Nathan Geier, ConocoPhillips, Houston, TX
Geoscientists commonly employ high-quality three-dimensional
seismic data to reduce deepwater prospect risk. For years, direct hydrocarbon
Indicators (DHIs) have addressed hydrocarbon
presence, however only more recently have three-dimensional datasets been
employed to render detailed images of the subsurface reservoir architecture of
deepwater sinuous channel systems. Such architectural understanding,
particularly in multi-story deepwater channel complexes, is key to predicting
well count and spacing, thus ultimately prospect value.
By combining
seismic profile channel interpretation, volume interpretation and analog
studies, detailed geocellular models were created for
both isolated and stacked multi-story channel complexes. Gross rock volume was
defined by interpreting channel complex top and base horizons, defining the
reservoir ‘container’. Applying a process model approach, seismic facies analysis was applied to amplitude extractions
representative of interpreted discrete architectural zones within the reservoir
container. In turn, interpreted facies maps were used
for conditioning layers within the geocellular model.
Dimensional information for facies objects was
recorded from both the three-dimensional seismic volume and from subsurface
and outcrop analogs. Individual facies objects were stochastically
placed, heavily conditioned to seismic control, with an overall aim of
replicating analog end members. Key uncertainties identified were net to gross
and sand object connectivity. Geocellular modeling
ranged results were assigned within the flow simulation process to condition
well performance, and ultimately, risked pre-drill prospect value was
assigned.