Geostatistics for Reservoir Characterization

In this lecture you will The origin of randomness

What is required for randomness to exist The definitions of random, deterministic and stochastic

learn

Randomness is
behavior of a system or process which produces uncertain results systems may show extreme sensitivity to initial conditions

Such systems have 2 properties

Nonlinear physical law Iterative processes

Apparently simple mechanical systems can show unpredictable behaviour

The Outcome of a Flipped CoinFig. 1.1

Height of Toss

Rate of Spin

Examples of Nonlinear Physical Laws

Basic well flow equation
q=
2khP (In(re/rw)+s)

nonlinear in re, rw and s

Two phase fractional flow

fw =

krw(Sw)/w ____ krw(Sw)/w + kro(Sw) /o

nonlinear in krx krx nonlinear in Sw

Examples of Iterative Processes in Geology

Diagenesis
Growth of clays Leaching Cementation

Deposition
Sedimentation Erosion Breakage

Sedimentation

Rock breakage is a non-linear iterative process

1-f0 1-f1

Dpo Dp1 f1

f0

Dp2

...

Dpi = (f0Dp0) x (f1) x (f2) x (f3) x ..

Systems with well-defined boundary conditions can appear to behave unpredictably

May's Equation
xi+1 = xi(1 - xi)
1.0 0.8 0.6 x 0.4 0.2 0.0 3.5

3.6

3.7

3.8

3.9

4.0

Summary so far
Randomness = unpredictable For unpredictability, all we need is a process that is
non-linear iterative

Definitions
Random - Having no predictable aspects Deterministic - Completely predictable Stochastic - Partly predictable, some randomness

Measurements
Are snap-shots of the reservoir, providing needed values for engineering calculations Have a scale which represents a rock/fluid property over a certain volume V
WELL TESTING

core plug

V = 10-6 m3
WELL LOGGING

V=

10-2

m3

V = 106 m3

May be biased, inaccurate, or misleading

Example Core Plugs

Core from barrel Approx 30ft sections Incomplete recovery
Gaps - where? How much?

1.2 ft 1.7 ft

Biased sampling
1ft sample spacing? Core photos useful

What does each observation represent?

Summary so far
Systems can have various amounts of unpredictability
Random Stochastic Deterministic

Need care deciding if a quantity is random

The measurements can fool us The geology might be deterministic (next example!)

Reservoir Properties and measurements example

9950

Non-linearity and randomness cause variability (e.g., perm k) But deterministic part is also there (can you find it in this example?)

10000

Depth, ft

10050

10100

10150

10200 1 10 100 1000 10000 Plug Permeability, mD

Reservoir Properties usually have a deterministic component

Lamina-scale (mm to cm) k

Nested scales of variation can make property look very unpredictable Physical laws give some predictability (scales or stratal elements)

Bed-scale (cm to m)

Formation-scale (m to100's m)

Reservoir Properties and measurements: some details

Stratal element
PARASEQUENCE Thickness (m) Extent (sq. km) Time (yrs)
1

Depending on volume V, measurements

capture some variable & deterministic parts miss out smaller scales

Measurement resolution

10 1 0.1 50 5 0.5 1000

BEDSET
Seismic

BED

Plug

LAMINASET

LAMINA

Probe Thin section

Well log Whole core

Another example
Changing value with measurement volume V

kh/kv

from Cowan and Bradney, 1997

Same example (replotted)

Change value with measurement volume V

kv/kh and volume of measurement

1 kv/kh 0.1 0.01
probe plug tester tidal

0.001 0.001

0.1

10

1000

"scale" of msmt, ft

Summary
Even deterministic systems may exhibit randomness
need iteration need nonlinearity

Measurements
are snap-shots of a reservoir property have a volume (scale), depending on measurement may be wrong/misleading

Reservoir properties
are variable have some systematic elements measurements have to capture both aspects