Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T15:44:16.861Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Scale discrepancy paradox between observation and modelling in fractured reservoir models in oil and gas industry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2022

P.D. Richard Open the ORCID record for P.D. Richard [Opens in a new window] ,
L. Bazalgette ,
C. Volery  and
A. Toukhi
P.D. Richard*
Affiliation:
Previous address: Shell Global Solutions International BV, The Hague, The Netherlands Current address: PRgeology, 24 Domaine des Dryades, 56370 Sarzeau, France
L. Bazalgette
Affiliation:
Previous address: Shell Global Solutions International BV, The Hague, The Netherlands Current address: Petroleum Development Oman, Mina Al Fahal Area, PO Box 81 Muscat, Oman
C. Volery
Affiliation:
Previous address: Shell Global Solutions International BV, The Hague, The Netherlands Current address: Petroleum Development Oman, Mina Al Fahal Area, PO Box 81 Muscat, Oman
A. Toukhi
Affiliation:
Previous address: Shell Egypt NV, 79 Road 90 south Business View, Banks Center St, New Cairo 1, Cairo Governorate, Egypt Current address: Petrogas E&P, Way No. 6826, Building No. 1742, 18th November St, Al Azaybah North, Muscat, Oman
*
Author for correspondence: Pascal Richard, Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The appraisal and development of fractured reservoirs are challenging tasks because of the combined variations in reservoir quality and natural fracture distribution. Fracture models are built routinely to support both appraisal and development decisions for such reservoirs. One of the key objectives of these models is to generate three-dimensional (3D) fracture properties for dynamic flow simulations. In this paper, we illustrate the discrepancy between the scale of observation required to build a thorough geological understanding of the subsurface and the simplification imposed by modelling. We use a case study carried out in the context of an exploration campaign of a Cretaceous carbonate reservoir in Egypt. After describing the regional geological setting of the area, we share a series of detailed observations on open-hole logs, cores, thin-sections and borehole images. These observations are focused on reservoir architecture, fracture typology and fracture connectivity. Observations are then integrated with the regional geological context to build a conceptual fracture model and to characterize the uncertainty affecting the essential parameters of this model. The conceptual model, combined with 3D seismic data, is used to define a fracture modelling strategy. This strategy includes a drastic simplification of the conceptual model to generate 3D discrete fracture network scenarios that are calibrated using pressure communication data from the exploration wells. Another extreme simplification is then necessary to populate 3D simulation grids. In the case study presented, the key tuning parameters to obtain a dynamic match are the grid cell orientation and the width of the modelled fault damage zone.

Keywords

fracture characterizationfracture modellingcarbonateAbu Roash Fcoreborehole image
Type
FRACTURE OCCURRENCE, PATTERNS AND PROPERTIES
Information
Geological Magazine , Volume 159 , Issue 11-12: THEMATIC ISSUE: Faults and fractures in rocks: mechanics, occurrence, dating, stress history and fluid flow , November 2022 , pp. 1914 - 1935
Copyright
© Shell Global Solutions International B.V., 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abd El Aziz, M, Moustafa, AR and Said, SD (1998) Impact of basin inversion on hydrocarbon habitat in the Qarun concession, Western Desert, Egypt. In: Proceedings of the 14th Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation Exploration and Production Conference, Cairo, Egypt, pp. 139–55.Google Scholar
Abdel-Fattah, MI, Attia, TE, Abd El-Aal, MH and Hanafy, MI (2021) Seismic interpretation of the late Albian-early Cenomanian Bahariya reservoirs of Burg El Arab oilfield for tectonic evaluation: a case study from Western Desert, Egypt. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 14, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06745-9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Abdel-Fattah, MI and Slatt, RM (2013) Sequence stratigraphic controls on reservoir characterization and architecture: case study of the Messinian Abu Madi incised valley fill, Egypt. Central European Journal of Geosciences 5, 497–507. https://doi.org/10.2478/s13533-012-0144-5.Google Scholar
Afşar, F, Westphal, H and Philipp, SL (2014) How facies and diagenesis affect fracturing of limestone beds and reservoir permeability in limestone–marl alternations. Marine and Petroleum Geology 57, 418–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bayoumi, AI and Lotfy, HI (1989) Modes of structural evolution of Abu Gharadig Basin, Western desert of Egypt as deduced from seismic data. Journal of African Earth Sciences (and the Middle East) 9, 273–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/0899-5362(89)90070-5.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bazalgette, L (2004) Relations plissement/fracturation multi-échelle dans les multicouches sédimentaires du domaine élastique/fragile:accommodation discontinue de la courbure par la fracturation de petite échelle et par les dipdomain boundaries. Possibles implications dynamiques dans les écoulementsdes reservoirs. Ph.D. thesis, Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, ISTEEM, Mémoires GéoSciences-Montpellier, 36 (https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00007923/). Published thesis.Google Scholar
Bazalgette, L, Petit, JP, Amrhar, M and Ouanaïmi, H (2010) Aspects and origins of fractured dip-domain boundaries in folded carbonate rocks. Journal of Structural Geology 32, 523–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2010.03.002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
de Joussineau, G and Petit, JP (2021) Mechanical insights into the development of fracture corridors in layered rocks. Journal of Structural Geology 144, 104278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2021.104278.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dershowitz, B, Lapointe, P, Eiben, T and Wei, L (2000) Integration of discrete fracture network methods with conventional simulator approaches. SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering 3, 165–70. https://doi.org/10.2118/62498-PA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dewever, B, Richard, P, Al-otaibi, B, Al-sultan, NP, de Zwart, BR, van Essen, G, Schutjens, P, Glasbergen, G, Deinum, G, Ibrahim, HED, Al Abboud, NE, Zampetti, V and von Winterfeld, C (2020) Unlocking flow pathways in complex carbonate reservoirs: benefits of an integrated subsurface study from the Cretaceous Mauddud Formation, North Kuwait. Marine and Petroleum Geology 126, 104892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2020.104892.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dooley, TP and Schreurs, G (2012) Analogue modelling of intraplate strike-slip tectonics: a review and new experimental results. Tectonophysics 574, 1–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2012.05.030.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dunham, RJ (1962) Classification of carbonate rocks according to depositional textures. In Classification of Carbonate Rocks--A Symposium (ed. WE Ham), pp. 108–21. Tulsa: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Special Volume no. 38.Google Scholar
Eberli, GP, Baechle, GT, Anselmetti, FS and Incze, ML (2003) Factors controlling elastic properties in carbonate sediments and rocks. The Leading Edge 22, 654–60. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1599691.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
El Toukhy, M, Charmy, H and Studer, M (1998) Structural evolution of the eastern part of the Western Desert and its implications for hydrocarbon exploration. In Proceedings of 14th Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation Exploration and Production Conference, Cairo 1, 156–177.Google Scholar
Engelder, T (1987) Joints and shear fractures in rock. In Fracture Mechanics of Rock (ed. BK Atkinson), pp. 27–69. London: Academic Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Flügel, E (2004) Microfacies of Carbonate Rocks. Berlin: Springer, 984 p.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ghassal, BI, Littke, R, El Atfy, H, Sindern, S, Scholtysik, G, El Beialy, S and El Khoriby, E (2018) Source rock potential and depositional environment of Upper Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt: an integrated palynological, organic and inorganic geochemical study. International Journal of Coal Geology 186, 14–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2017.11.018.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gross, MR and Eyal, Y (2007) Throughgoing fractures in layered carbonate rocks. Geological Society of America Bulletin 119, 1387–404. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(2007)119[1387:TFILCR]2.0.CO;2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hart, BS, Pearson, R and Rawling, GC (2002) 3-D seismic horizon-based approaches to fracture-swarm sweet spot definition in tight-gas reservoirs. The Leading Edge 21, 28–35. https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1445844.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keeley, ML and Wallis, RJ (1991) The Jurassic System in northern Egypt. II. Depositional and tectonic regimes. Journal of Petroleum Geology 14, 49–64. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-5457.1991.tb00298.x.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lamarche, J and Gauthier, BDM (2018) Fracture corridors geometry: what can we learn from field analogues? Insights from Huamapampa sandstone in Bolivia (Icla Syncline). In Proceedings of The Geology of Fractured Reservoirs, London, 24–25 October 2018. Geological Society of London.Google Scholar
Lamarche, J, Lavenu, AP, Gauthier, BD, Guglielmi, Y and Jayet, O (2012) Relationships between fracture patterns, geodynamics and mechanical stratigraphy in Carbonates (South-East Basin, France). Tectonophysics 581, 231–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2012.06.042.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lamine, S, Richard, PD, van Steen, E, Pattnaik, C, Narhari, R, Le Varlet, X and Dashti, Q (2017) Integration of pressure transient tests in fracture characterization in North Kuwait carbonate reservoirs. In Proceedings of Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, 13–16 November 2017, Abu Dhabi. SPE 188835. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/188835-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laubach, SE, Lamarche, J, Gauthier, BD, Dunne, WM and Sanderson, DJ (2018) Spatial arrangement of faults and opening-mode fractures. Journal of Structural Geology 108, 2–15. https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01765560.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laubach, SE, Olson, JE and Gross, MR (2009) Mechanical and fracture stratigraphy. AAPG Bulletin 93, 1413–26. https://doi.org/10.1306/07270909094.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lavenu, AP and Lamarche, J (2018) What controls diffuse fractures in platform carbonates? Insights from Provence (France) and Apulia (Italy). Journal of Structural Geology 108, 94–107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lavenu, AP, Lamarche, J, Salardon, R, Gallois, A, Marié, L and Gauthier, BD (2014) Relating background fractures to diagenesis and rock physical properties in a platform–slope transect. Example of the Maiella Mountain (central Italy). Marine and Petroleum Geology 51, 2–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2013.11.012.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lavenu, AP, Lamarche, J, Texier, L, Marié, L and Gauthier, BD (2015) Background fractures in carbonates: inference on control of sedimentary facies, diagenesis and petrophysics on rock mechanical behavior. Example of the Murge Plateau (southern Italy). Italian Journal of Geosciences 134, 535–55. https://doi.org/10.3301/IJG.2014.58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lemonnier, PA and Bourbiaux, B (2010) Simulation of naturally fractured reservoirs. state of the art-Part 2–matrix-fracture transfers and typical features of numerical studies. Oil & Gas Science and Technology–Revue de l’Institut Français du Pétrole 65, 263–86. https://doi.org/10.2516/ogst/2009067.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lisle, RJ (1994) Detection of zones of abnormal strains in structures using Gaussian curvature analysis. AAPG Bulletin 78, 1811–9. https://doi.org/10.1306/A25FF305-171B-11D7-8645000102C1865D.Google Scholar
Lisle, RJ and Toimil, NC (2007) Defining folds on three-dimensional surfaces. Geology 35, 519–22. https://doi.org/10.1130/G23207A.1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lisle, RJ, Toimil, NC, Aller, J, Bobillo-Ares, N and Bastida, F (2010) The hinge lines of non-cylindrical folds. Journal of Structural Geology 32, 166–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2009.10.011.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lüning, S, Kolonic, S, Belhadj, EM, Belhadj, Z, Cota, L, Barić, G and Wagner, T (2004) Integrated depositional model for the Cenomanian-Turonian organic-rich strata in North Africa. Earth-Science Reviews 64, 51–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-8252(03)00039-4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Makky, AF, El Sayed, MI, El-ata, AS, Abd el-Gaied, IM, Abdel-Fattah, MI and Abd-Allah, ZM (2014) Source rock evaluation of some upper and lower cretaceous sequences, West Beni Suef concession, Western Desert, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum 23, 135–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpe.2014.02.016.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mandl, G (1988) Mechanics of Tectonic Faulting. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 407 p.Google Scholar
Naylor, MA, Mandl, GT and Supesteijn, CHK (1986) Fault geometries in basement-induced wrench faulting under different initial stress states. Journal of Structural Geology 8, 737–52.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nelson, R (2019) Static Conceptual Fracture Modeling: Preparing for Simulation and Development. New York: John Wiley & Sons.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Odling, NE, Gillespie, P, Bourgine, B, Castaing, C, Chiles, JP, Christensen, NP and Fillion, E (1999) Variations in fracture system geometry and their implications for fluid flow in fractures hydrocarbon reservoirs. Petroleum Geoscience 5(4), 373–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Olson, JE (2004) Predicting fracture swarms - the influence of the subcritical crack growth and the crack-tip process zone on joint spacing in rock. In The Initiation, Propagation and Arrest of Joints and Other Fractures (eds Cosgrove, JW and Engelder, T), pp. 73–88. Geological Society of London, Special Publication no. 231.Google Scholar
Ozkaya, SI and Richard, PD (2005) Fractured reservoir characterisation using dynamic data in a carbonate field, Oman. SPE Reservoir Evaluation and Engineering 9(3), 227–38. https://doi.org/10.2118/93312-PA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ozkaya, SI, Richard, PD and Mueller, GF (2006) Estimating percentage of fracture fairways detectible by seismic data-two case studies from Oman. In Proceedings of Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, 5–8 November 2006, Abu Dhabi. SPE 100449. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/100449-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Panza, E, Agosta, F, Zambrano, M, Tondi, E, Prosser, G, Giorgioni, M and Janiseck, JM (2015) Structural architecture and discrete fracture network modelling of layered fractured carbonates (Altamura Fm., Italy). Italian Journal of Geosciences 134(3), 409–22.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pollard, DD and Aydin, A (1988) Progress in understanding jointing over the past century. Geological Society of America Bulletin 100, 1181–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2016.11.003.2.3.CO;2>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ramsay, JG (1980) The crack-seal mechanism of rock deformation. Nature 284, 135–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rawnsley, K, Swaby, P, Bettembourg, S, Dhahab, S, Hillgartner, H, de Keijzer, M, Richard, PD, Schoepfer, P, Stephenson, B and Wei, L (2004) New software tool improves fractured reservoir characterisation and modelling through maximised use of constraints and data integration. In Proceedings of Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, 10–13 October 2004, Abu Dhabi. SPE 88785. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/88785-MS.Google Scholar
Richard, PD, Lamine, S, Pattnaik, C, Al Ajmi, N, Kidambi, VK, Narhari, R, Le Varlet, X, Swaby, P and Dashti, Q (2017) Integrated fracture characterization and modeling in North Kuwait carbonate reservoirs. In Proceedings of Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, 13–16 November 2017, Abu Dhabi. SPE-188185. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/188185-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richard, PD, Naylor, MA and Koopman, A (1995) Experimental models of strike-slip tectonics. Petroleum Geoscience 1, 71–80. https://doi.org/10.1144/petgeo.1.1.71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richard, PD, Pattnaik, C, Al Ajmi, N, Kidambi, VK, Narhari, R, Le Varlet, X, Guit, F and Dashti, Q (2015) Discrete fracture network models in support of drilling activities in North Kuwait carbonate reservoirs. In SPE Kuwait Oil and Gas Show and Conference, 11–14 October 2015, Mishref. SPE 175375. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/175375-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Richard, PD, Rawnsley, K, Swaby, P and Richard, C (2006) Integrated fracture characterisation and modeling in carbonate fields using novel modeling software and sandbox models. In Proceedings of 7th Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition, Manama, Bahrain, 27–29 March 2006. 200AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90051©2006.Google Scholar
Roberts, A (2001) Curvature attributes and their application to 3 D interpreted horizons. First Break 19, 85–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Salama, AM, Abd-allah, ZM, El-Sayed, MI and Elbastawesy, MA (2021) Source rock evaluation and burial history modeling of Cretaceous rocks at the Khalda Concession of Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt. Journal of African Earth Sciences 184, 104372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2021.104372.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
San Martin, L, Kainer, G, Elliott, JP, Pittar, M, Schaecher, B, Morys, M, Goodman, G, Kusmer, D, Davies, E and Buchanan, J (2008) Oil-based mud imaging tool generates high quality borehole images in challenging formation and borehole condition, including thin beds, low resistive formations, and shales. In Proceedings of SPWLA 49th Annual Logging Symposium, Austin Texas, May 2008. Houston, Texas: Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts.Google Scholar
Sarhan, MA (2017) Wrench tectonics of Abu Gharadig Basin, Western Desert, Egypt: a structural analysis for hydrocarbon prospects. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 10, 399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3176-9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Serra, O (1989) Formation MicroScanner Image Interpretation. Houston: Schlumberger Educational Services.Google Scholar
Srivastava, DC and Lisle, RJ (2004) Rapid analysis of fold shape using Bézier curves. Journal of Structural Geology 26, 1553–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2004.02.004.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swaby, PA and Rawnsley, KD (1996) An interactive 3D fracture modelling environment. In Proceedings of Petroleum Computer Conference, 2–5 June 1996, Dallas, Texas. SPE 36004. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/36004-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Torrieri, S, Volery, C, Bazalgette, L and Strauss, GJE (2021) From outcrop to subsurface model—large-scale fractured zones in Apulian platform carbonates (Maiella Mountains, Central Apennines, Italy). AAPG Bulletin 105, 2449–76. https://doi.org/10.1306/07022118279.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Viseur, S, Lamarche, J, Akriche, C, Chatelée, S, Mombo Mouketo, M and Gauthier, B (2021) Accurate computation of fracture density variations: a new approach tested on fracture corridors. Mathematical Geosciences 53(6), 1339–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Warrlich, GM, Richard, PD, Johnson, TE, Wassing, LM, Gittins, JD, Al-lamki, AA, Alexander, DM and Al-Riyami, MM (2009) From data acquisition to simulator: fracture modeling a carbonate heavy-oil reservoir (Lower Shuaiba, Sultanate of Oman). In Proceedings of SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference, 15–18 March 2009, Bahrain. SPE 120428. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/120428-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wei, L (2000) Well test pressure derivatives and the nature of fracture networks. In Proceedings of SPE International Petroleum and Conference and Exhibition, 1–3 February 2000, Villahermosa. SPE 59014. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/59014-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wei, L, Hadwin, J, Chaput, E, Rawnsley, K and Swaby, P (1998) Discriminating fracture patterns in fractured reservoirs by pressure transient tests. In Proceedings of SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, 27–30 September 1998, New Orleans. SPE 49233. Texas: Society of Petroleum Engineers. https://doi.org/10.2118/49233-MS.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zobaa, MK, Oboh-Ikuenobe, FE and Ibrahim, MI (2011) The Cenomanian/Turonian oceanic anoxic event in the Razzak Field, north Western Desert, Egypt: source rock potential and paleoenvironmental association. Marine and Petroleum Geology 28, 1475–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2011.05.005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Richard et al. supplementary material

Richard et al. supplementary material

Download Richard et al. supplementary material(File)
File 34.9 MB