Reservoir Modeling

Fundamentals & Methods for

Reservoir Modeling
(Part 2-1 Cont.)
Undergraduate program

Trần Văn Xuân-HCMUT

2021

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 Chapter 2-1:

METHODOLOGY IN DEVELOPING
GEOLOGICAL MODEL

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 2.1. General of Geological model
Geological model is built with the aim to clarify
the geological structure and the distribution of
reservoir parameters of the study subjects such as
porosity, permeability, effective thickness, water
saturation, while allowing inspection and re-estimation
of HC initial in place and oil & gas reserves.
Geological model must be conceived, built to
process rational, scientific, optimal exploitation of
existing data (Figure 2.1.a, b).
Results of geological model is the basis for building
models to serve the Field Development Plan (Fig. 2.2).

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Figure 2.1.a. Flow chart for
Geological modeling

4
 QC & Data Preparation Well Correlation Seismic Interpretation

Time - Depth Conversion Structural Modeling Geologic Cross-Section

Facies Modeling Petrophysical Modeling Volume Calculation

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Figure 2.1.b. General GM workflow 5
 Seismic Well Fault Pillar Zonation and
Correlation Modeling Gridding Layering
Edit Input Data
Import data

Facies Petrophysical Volume Well Design

Plotting
Modeling Modeling Calculation

Process Manager
Petrel Modeling Workflow
 Stages in the Generation of
An Integrated Geological Reservoir Model
Geologic Activities
Regional Geologic
Framework

Depositional
Model (As Needed)

Core Analysis Diagenetic Structural

Model Model

Integrated Fluid
Log Analysis Model
Well Test Analysis Geologic Model
(As Needed)
Applications Studies
Reserves Estimation
Simulation

Model Testing
And Revision
7 Review of Reservoir Geology
 Figure 2.2. Steps in Geological model development

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 Figure 2.3. An Example of concept geological modeling in Late Oligocene, Cửu
Long basin (by PVEP)
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 2.2 Data base for model development

➢ Seismic data
➢ Geology-well log data
➢ Reservoir engineering data

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 GEOLOGICAL MODELING: BASIC ASPECTS
Outline
basin/tectonic
Step 1:

history
Generate

Step 2:
Interpret lithofacies Create rock-log
chronostratigraphic Generate facies model

Step 3:
interpretation model Determine net pay
Assemble structural Generate Map reservoir
interpretation depositional model distribution
Generate
porosity/permeabilit
y model

The order for the various stages is toward decreasing levels of scale. This may
not be desirable in all cases; different types of analyses (structural, petrographic,
etc.) are often performed simultaneously by different members of a team.
However, the above outline provides an effective guide for assembling a fairly
complete model
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 Involved elements in a reservoir model

A wide range of
elements may be
involved in
generating a
comprehensive
geological
description of a
particular
reservoir

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Figure 2.3 b: Elements used to model a reservoir 12
 ENGINEERING MODELING: BASIC ASPECTS

STEP 1:
• REVIEW GEOLOGICAL MODEL
• IDENTIFY SIGNIFIVANT FLOW
BARRIES
• INTEPRET RESERVOIR PROPERTY
DISTTRIBUTION

STEP 2:
• ANALYZE PRODUCTION DATA
• INTEPRET PRESSURE DATA
• MAP FLUID DISTRIBUTION

STEP 3:
• GENERATE FLOW UNIT
• IDENTIFY AREAS OF REMANING
RESERVES OR BY-PASS PAY

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DATA FOR RESERVOIR MODELING
Conceptual Geological Seismic
Well Logs and Core
− stratigraphic interpretations − surfaces/stratigraphy/fluids
− surface locations
− analogue fields/outcrops − attributes for porosity, facies
− lithofacies/geologic data
− porosity/permeability − 4−D seismic for monitoring

Engineering Data Forward Sediment Modeling

− DST/RFT/RCI data − stacking patterns
− pressure transient/tracer − geometric data for facies
− historical Q, P, C data − spatial information for φ/K

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 2.2.4 PRELIMINARY GEOLOGICAL MODELING CONCEPTS

This section covers preliminary geological modeling concepts including a

brief outline of some of the geologic principles that in combination tell
the story of the genesis of a petroleum reservoir.
As a prerequisite for reservoir modeling, these principles are utilized to
formulate a consistent and rational story of the reservoir or a set of
stories if uncertainty is a main goal of the study.
Our conceptual geological model for a reservoir has a large influence
on the selected geostatistical tools and parameters.

• Story
• Geological Models
• Basin Formation and Filling
• Reservoir Architecture
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The Story subsection discusses the importance of formulating this conceptual model or
story in contrast with a native purely data-driven statistical approach to reservoir modeling.
The available data for reservoir modeling are often inadequate to constrain the resulting
reservoir model. There is a need to supplement sparse and ambiguous data with an
understanding of the expected geological features.

In the Geological Models subsection the models utilized by geologists and themodels
utilized by geostatisticians to understand petroleum reservoirs are compared and
contrasted. While there are important distinctions, there are many commonalities in
concepts because geostatistics has always aimed to provide a practical framework for
describing geology. In addition, a short summary of the considerations in reservoir geology is
presented. This includes a brief discussion on reservoir formation and the framework of
sequence stratigraphy. A review of basin and reservoir scale process provides more details
and context for the conceptual models underlying the application of geostatistics.

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The Basin Formation and Filling subsection presents the large-scale processes and
associated terminology related to the formation of sedimentary basins and their subsequent
filling. Allogenic processes are introduced as the extrabasinal controls that determine the
sediment supply and accommodation available to place these sediments in a
basin.
In general, these controls determine whether or not a reservoir forms.
The Reservoir Architecture subsection presents smaller-scale processes that occur
inside a basin and determine the architecture of a reservoir. This includes discussion on
autogenic processes that place sediments in the basin and preservation potential that
determines the final form of the reservoir in the ancient sedimentary record. In general,
these controls determine the heterogeneity and connectivity of the reservoir.

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 2.2 Data base for model development
2.2.1 Seismic data
✓ Seismic data: results of structural
interpretation, faults from 3D seismic
data, Seismic attributes.
✓ Data from petrophysic analysis.
✓ Time-lapse 4D data.

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 2.2.2 Geological –well log data
•Coring data: setting Por-Perm relationship;
•Well log data: by applying well log interpretation
determine :
✓ Lithological content
✓Petrophysic properties
✓Types of reservoir fluid.
Block 148-149 Seabed
•Data of stratigraphy and depositional analysis; Blue horizon
Cyan horizon

Green horizon

Violet horizon

9
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 One example of applying well log data in GM

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 2.2.3 Reservoir engineering data

✓PVT.
✓Fluid analysis.
✓Formation testing and production data

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 Pressure volume diagram
For a single component system
ALL LIQUID

Liquid state-rapid change of

pressure with small volume
FIRST GAS BUBBLE
change

Pressure remains
constant while both
gas and liquid are
LAST DROP LIQUID
present
Dew point

Gas

ALL GAS
Bubble point

VOLUME
PVT diagram for a single- component system
A volume of reservoir oil will shrink as
pressure is reduced and vaporization
occurs. The degree of shrinkage is
dependent not only on the
temperature and composition of the
fluid, but also on the manner in which
the separation process is carried out.

Schematics of flash (L) and differential (R) liberation

Flash or equilibrium separation is the condition that occurs when the fluid's pressure is radically and
suddenly changed and the whole system immediately separates into two phases. In the laboratory, this
type of liberation of gas is carried out in a mercury cell or in a small-scale separator at surface
temperature. It is felt that flash liberation most nearly approximates the situation that occurs in field
separators.
Differential liberation is the process in which a gradual decrease in pressure is applied to the fluids
with the continual removal of the released gas from contact with the liquid. Such a situation is thought to
occur within the reservoir as solution gas begins to flow more rapidly from the reservoir than the oil.
In the laboratory, a stepwise procedure of dropping the pressure of a sample volume at reservoir
temperature (flashing) and removing the released gas approximates the reservoir process of gradual
change.
Multistage separation is an attempt to approach differential
separation at the surface in order to achieve a larger volume of
oil in the stock tank per barrel produced. There is also an
optimum set of separator conditions (pressure, temperature)
for maximizing stock-tank-oil volume.
Similar differences exist for flash and differential retrograde
condensation of heavy hydrocarbons from a gas. Once again,
flash condensation is more representative of surface separation
processes, while differential condensation is more
representative of reservoir conditions.
 Wireline formation testers

Baker Hughes: RCI (Reservoir Characterization Instrument)

Schlumberger: MDT (Modular Formation Dynamics Tester)
Halliburton: SFTT (Sequential Formation Tester)
 FT RFT / SRFT MDT
Formation Repeat Formation Modular Formation By SCHLUMBERGER
Tester Tester Dynamics Tester

Electrical Power
Hydraulic Power
Probe
Dual-probe Dual
Packer
Flow control
Optical fluid
analyzer
Multi sample
Sample
Sample
Pumpout
RCI measurement principle
Sampling & Mini-DST Example with Dual Packer
- Fluid was withdrawn via. the MDT Packer
- The maximum drawdown is approx. 400 psi
- Formation pressure @ 4239 psia (CQG)
- Flow rate ranges 3.3-5 B/D
- Totally approx. 156 L fluids were pumped
- Pumping time approx. 5 hours and 10 minutes

vacuum
DST LAYOUT
& MAIN
SURFACE
EQUIPMENT

5 Producers 11 Producers
7 Producers 9 Producers

PRODUCTION DATA

30
vacuum
 2.3 Methods for geological model development
2.3.1 General method
The fundamental of Geological model
development is based on statistical algorithm
with the aims to determine the distribution of
reservoir properties in 3D.

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 2.3 Methods for geological model development

2.3.2 Software selection

• Thanks to the arc of science, the
geological model development is
supported by several solution provision
Companies: Petrel (Schlumberger), RMS
(Roxar), Skua-Gocad (Paradigm)….

• The application depend on the nature of

target: Geo. charact., petrophysics of
field and basin as well.
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 Modeling Scale
• It is neither possible nor optimal to build models of the reservoir properties
at the resolution of the hard core data. In common work flows, the core data
must be scaled up (averaged) to some intermediate resolution.
• Models are generated at that intermediate geological modeling scale and are
then usually scaled to an even coarser resolution for flow simulation.
• An important case-specific issue is to determine the appropriate
intermediate geological modeling scale.
• In other work flows, the model is constructed at the data scale, with
simulated nodes discretizing the model space. Irrespective of the method, a
decision must be made on the scale or level of discretization.
• A too-small choice leads to large and inefficient computer use, which restricts
the number of alternative scenarios and sensitivity runs that can be
considered (Table 1.1).

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TABLE 1.1. VARIABLES CONSIDERED IN THIS SUBJECT, GENERALIZATIONS, AND ANALOGOUS VARIABLES IN
OTHER DISCIPLINES

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 Numerical Modeling
At any point in geological time, there is a single true distribution of petrophysical properties in each
reservoir. This true distribution is the result of a complex succession of physical, chemical, and
biological processes.
Although the physics of these depositional and diagenetic processes may be understood quite well, we
do not completely understand all of the processes and their interaction, and
we could never have access to the initial and boundary conditions in sufficient
detail to provide the unique true distribution of dynamic properties within the reservoir.
We can only hope to create numerical models that mimic the physically significant features.
In general, the large-scale features are the most critical for prediction of reservoir flow performance. Small-scale geological details are summarized by effective properties at a large scale.

We will strive to make our numerical models consistent with the available data, including historical
flow results. It is understood that the true distribution of petrophysical properties will not follow any of
our relatively simplistic mathematical models.
It is also understood that visual appearance alone is inadequate to judge the acceptability of a numerical model.

The suitability of a numerical model is judged

by its ability to accurately predict future
flow performance under different boundary conditions.

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Uncertainties
It is not possible to establish the unique true distribution of facies,
porosity, and permeability between widely spaced wells. All
numerical models would be found in error if we were to excavate
that interwell volume and take exhaustive measurements: There is
uncertainty.
This uncertainty exists because of our ignorance/ lack of
knowledge. It is not an inherent feature of the reservoir.
Notwithstanding the elusiveness of the concept of uncertainty,
models of uncertainty will be constructed and care will be taken to
ensure that these models honestly represent our state of incomplete
knowledge. These assessments of uncertainty are nothing more than
models, however, and it will not be possible to rigorously validate
them.
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 Uncertainties
Geostatistical techniques allow alternative numerical models, also
called realizations, to be generated.
The response of these realizations, say time to water
breakthrough, could be combined in a histogram as a model of
uncertainty.
The parameters of the geostatistical modeling technique are also
uncertain and they could be made variable, that is, “randomized,”
to lead to a larger and possibly more realistic assessment of
uncertainty.
The modeling approach itself could be considered uncertain and
alternative approaches or geological scenarios considered.

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Static Model
• A static reservoir model is the one incorporating all the geological
features (i.e. structural, sedimentological, petrophysical, etc.) of an
underground volume of rock that can store fluids (hydrocarbons
and/or water) and can allow their movement.
• In general, the static model of a reservoir is the final integrated
product of the structural, stratigraphic and lithological modeling
activities, where each of these steps is developed according to its
specific workflow.

• A static reservoir study typically proceeds through four main stages.

1-Structural modeling
2-Stratigraphic modelling
3-Lithological modeling
4-Petrophysical modeling

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How do we do which a reality modeling work

✔ Seismic Data Interpretation

✔ Seismic Data Management
✔ Seismic Data Loading
✔ Well Logs and Well Correlation
✔ Complete Work flow for Reservoir Static Modeling

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 End part 1 chapter 2

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