DGI: EarthVision Solutions - Reservoir Simulation Input

A large international oil company had approximately nine months remaining before they had to make a billion-dollar production commitment to a national government - or they had to walk away from a reservoir potentially worth billions of dollars.

The company's geophysicists and geologists had been interpreting seismic data for a recently discovered reservoir for almost two years. The complex reservoir structure was cut by twenty-three thrust faults and two near-vertical cross faults. They needed to create a consistent model of the reservoir, calculate the bulk rock volumes for each reservoir layer in each fault block, and transfer the model into a reservoir simulator. Once the simulation results were available, the company would be able to make the necessary business decisions and commit to the project.

Traditional Surface Mapping Techniques Proved Unacceptable

Trying to map the compressional structure using traditional surface mapping techniques produced unacceptable results. Attempts to calculate volume figures required up to eight weeks of intense effort and produced a single figure that had more than 30% error.

EarthVision: Fast, Precise Answers

Searching for a better answer, they came to Dynamic Graphics, where a modeling and mapping project with EarthVision was set up. First, EarthVision was used to validate the interpreted seismic data for each of the twenty-three thrust faults; problems were found and then corrected back on the interpretation workstation. Next, a 3D fault framework was constructed and validated, and a time structure model was created from the interpreted horizons and fault framework. A 3D velocity model was then calculated and used to convert the time structure model to depth.

Because EarthVision's geologic models are partitioned by

Arbitrary cross section taken through geologic compressional model.

fault block and layer, it was easy to isolate each reservoir layer in each fault block and calculate the needed bulk rock volumes. After the volume calculations were complete, the geologic model was exported from EarthVision directly into the company's reservoir simulator preprocessing program.

Only one hour of editing in the preprocessing program was necessary because of the precise fit between fault and horizon surfaces obtained from EarthVision's geologic model. Volumes calculated by the reservoir simulator differed by less than one percent from the bulk rock volumes derived from the geologic model. These results validated model consistency, and the engineers were able to complete the remaining simulation jobs.

Because of the precise and consistent models produced by EarthVision, the company was able to meet its pressing deadline and avoid losing a project worth billions of dollars in revenue.

EarthVision unlocks the profit potential of 3D models--effective tools for maximizing drilling dollars.

Reservoir Simulation Input

Providing solutions when time and money are at stake

Traditional Surface Mapping Techniques Proved Unacceptable

EarthVision: Fast, Precise Answers