Impact of deltaic clinothems on reservoir performance : dynamic study of reservoir analogues from the Panther Tongue and Ferron Sandstone , Utah , USA

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Enge, Håvard D. Howell, J. Andreas
Copyright Year	2010
Abstract	Subsurface reservoir models are typically limited by a lack of spatially accurate geometric data on bedform architecture and geometry, which are key controls on fluid flow. Outcrop analogues have long be utilized as a source of such data, but the capture of sufficiently precise data has always been a challenge. This study utilizes three-dimensional, high-resolution, digital geological outcrop data generated by ground-based laser scanning (lidar) to build three-dimensional (3D) geocellular models of two well exposed ancient river-dominated delta systems that both crop out in central Utah, USA. The forced regressive Panther Tongue and a high-stand portion of the Ferron Sandstone have been digitally mapped to recreate their clinothem geometries in geocellular reservoir modelling software for the testing of simulated production of such clinothem systems. Clinothems are seaward dipping beds of the delta front, formed during the downstream accretion of the delta. Clinoforms separate the deltaic sandbody into a series of sandstone beds (clinothems) which are commonly draped with siltstones and mudstones that within a reservoir may significantly impact fluid flow The models are used to test the influence of dipping siltstones heterogeneities on simulated reservoir performance in the reservoir modelling software. Siltstone drapes on clinothem sandstone beds have been modelled and various populations of holes have been placed in the siltstone beds (0, 30, 60, 90 and 100%). The effects of siltstone permeability (1, 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 mD) have also been tested. A total of 41 individual models were built and flow simulated. Results quantify how the portion of holes governs the production rate/ recovery factor in the Panther Tongue models. Permeability values are more important in the Ferron models, although they are still influenced by the number of holes. Steeper dipping and closer spaced clinothems of the highstand system tract lower the recovery factor by several tens of percent if the related heterogeneities are all or close to continuous and have low enough permeability.
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Language	English
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Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article