Geophysics

Data
analysis
Depth
conversion
Simulation

Well
correlation

Well
design Facies
modelling
Property modelling
And Upscaling

Building the Dynamic Reservoir

Model – Grid Model
TM4112 Karakterisasi & Pemodelan Reservoir
Outline
 Strata Properties (Grid)
 Common Grid Types
 Simplification of Reservoir Geometry
 Factors Involved in Selection of the Grid
Coordinate System
 Grid Orientation Considerations
 Selection of Optimal Grid Block Sizes
 Common Rules for Constructing a Grid
 Grid Construction Approaches
Creating a
Useful
Simulation
Model!
Strata Properties
 This section contains rock properties
usually derived from well log data or
seismic data
 Larger number of samples, so often
enough data to generate maps, or
distributions, of these properties
 Often input separate maps of these
properties for each zone, or stratum
Strata Properties
 Structural properties
 Elevation (structure map)
 Gross interval thickness

 Reservoir limits

 Discontinuities (faults)
Strata Properties
 Formation properties
 Net-to-gross ratio (or net sand thickness)
 Porosity

 Formation permeability
 Pore volume and transmissibility
modifications
Real Field Data – 4 Figures
 Means Field, San Andreas dolomite – core
porosity vs. core permeability
 Bradford sandstone – core porosity vs.
core permeability
 Brent Field - core porosity vs. core
permeability
 JAY-Little Escambia Creek Field, Florida –
kh (well test) vs. kh (core)
Exercise
 Discuss sources of data for structural
properties:
 Top structure map
 Faults

 Reservoir limits

 Discuss sources of data for reservoir

properties:
 Porosity

 Permeability

 Formation Compressibility
Simulation Grid
 The simulation grid is the definition of how
we divide, or discretize, space in order to
solve the differential equations numerically

 Although we use reservoir and well

properties in designing the simulation grid,
the simulation grid is independent of the
reservoir and well properties.
Common Grid Coordinate
Systems Include
 Cartesian
 Cylindrical
 Curvilinear (including stream-tube)
 Corner point
 Local Grid Refinement (LGR)
 Voronoi or PEBI (Perpendicular Bisection)
Cartesian Grid
Cylindrical Grid
Curvilinear Grid
Corner Point Geometry
Corner Point Geometry Grid
Example
Local Grid Refinement
Voronoi or PEBI Grid
2.5D PEBI Grid Example
Modeling Faults and Non -
Neighbor Connections
Simplification of Reservoir
Geometry
 Example situations
 Using symmetry to simplify the grid
 Using pseudofunctions
 Checking validity of assumptions
Situations Allowing Simplification of
Reservoir Geometry
 Single well simulations in homogeneous
reservoirs
 Uniform, symmetrical pattern floods
 Some layered systems with no crossflow
 One or two strongly-predominate flow
directions
 Large aquifer in contact with the
hydrocarbon zone
 Explore effects of only certain factors
Using Symmetry to Simplify the Grid

 1/4th of the drainage area containing a well

with a hydraulic fracture can be simulated
 Repeated 5-spot water flood pattern can be
modeled using 1/8th of the pattern
 Any time a well is centered in a
homogeneous drainage area and forces on
either side of the lines of symmetry are
identical.
Using Pseudofunction to Model
3D Systems With 2D Model

 Pseudo-relative-permeability and
pseudocapillary-pressure functions can be
used to simplify simulations of
displacement process in layered reservoirs
with no crossflow
 Dynamic pseudo-functions can be
generated from cross-sectional
simulations.
Checking Validity of Assumptions
Made in Simplifications

 Any time a simplification is made, it should

be validated by run(s) without
simplification
Example 1
 Validation of the 1/4 symmetry element for
simulation of a well with a hydraulic
fracture located in center of a
homogeneous, isotropic square drainage
area
The basic reservoir, fracture, and
well data
Simplification of Grid for Simulation of Well with
Hydraulic Fracture in Reservoir with Square,
Homogeneous Isotropic Drainage Area
Validation of Use of Symmetry Element to Simulate
Well With a Hydraulic Fracture Centered in a
Homogeneous, Isotropic Square Drainage Area
Factors Involved In Selection of
the Grid Coordinate System
 Locations of boundaries, faults and wells
 Expected flow lines (radial flow, flow near
hydraulic fractures, etc.)
 Size and shape of flow units and internal
flow barriers or baffles such as
discontinuous shales
 Computer memory and time limitations
Factors Involved In Selection of
the Grid Coordinate System
 Project objectives
 Type of depletion or displacement
mechanisms to be modeled
 Permeability anisotropy
 Locations of lease lines or unit boundaries
Grid Orientation Considerations

 Fluid displacement
 Permeability anisotropy
Effect of Grid Orientation on
Path of Fluid Flow
Two Grids for Simulation of 1/8th Symmetrical
Element of 5-Spot Are Diagonal (Left) and
Parallel (Right)
Permeability Anisotropy
 Strong permeability anisotropy can have a
significant effect on reservoir behavior
Grid Oriented to Account for
Permeability Anisotropy
Example 2
 Illustration of grid orientation effect in a
pattern waterflood simulation
Symmetry Elements for Simulating
Regular 5-spot Flood Patterns
Example 2
 Reservoir properties were chosen which
accentuate the grid orientation effect. The
mobility ratio is 50 and there is a sharp
displacement front.
Oil Recovery Predicted from Waterflood
Simulation Using Diagonal and Parallel Grids
Example 3
 Selection of grid orientation to match
permeability anisotropy
Case A - P-I Orientation
Case B - P-P Orientation
Case C - Isotropic
 Case C has isotropic permeability equal to
the root mean square of the minimum and
maximum permeabilities
The basic reservoir data for this example are
given in the following table.
Effect of Permeability Anisotropy and
Orientation on Predicted Recovery from a
5-Spot Waterflood
Example 3: Conclusions
 Two primary conclusions of this example
are:
 Permeability anisotropy should be accounted
for in simulations, particularly those involving
fluid displacement mechanisms, and
 Simulation can be used to optimize the well
pattern for enhanced recovery projects when
an adequate reservoir description is available.
Selection of Optimal
Grid Block Sizes
 Optimal grid
 Results in the desired level of accuracy
 Properly represents the reservoir geology, and

 Has the lowest computer memory and time

requirements to solve the problem.
Effects of Grid Block Sizes on
Simulation Results
 Finite Difference solution approaches PDE
solution as x approaches 0
 Use small blocks where convergent flow
(near wells and at the tips of hydraulic
fractures)
 Use small blocks along displacement
fronts
Common Rules for
Constructing a Grid
 Logarithmic spacing in cylindrical grids.
 Adjacent blocks increase in length by no
more than factor of 3.
 No more than 10 to 20% of the total
pressure drop should be between any two
adjacent grid blocks.
 Large changes in elevation or thickness
should be distributed over multiple grid
blocks.
Common Rules for
Constructing a Grid
 Reservoir flow units should, in general, be
separated by grid block boundaries.
 Vertical discretization should be fine
enough for accurate accounting of gas
percolation and migration and/or gravity
over-ride or under-ride.
 If in doubt, halve the grid blocks (double
the number of blocks) in one or more
dimensions.
Example 4
 Effect of grid block size in a linear Buckley-
Leverett simulation
Effect of Grid Block Sizes on a Linear Buckley-
Leverett Displacement Simulation With a Sharp
Displacement Front and Mobility Ratio of 50.
Grid Construction Approaches

 2D Approach
 3D Approach
Construction of 3D Simulation
Models from 2D Maps
Construction of 3D Simulation
Models from 3D Geological Models

Structure Model Property Model

Upscaling

Simulation 3D Grid Model

Scales of Geological Reservoir
Heterogeneity
Scales of Investigation Used in
Reservoir Characterization
Example Model
 Model construction will be illustrated using
the VLE-196 Field as an example.
Comparison of Correlations Developed
Using Samples of 201 and 51 Data Points.
Reservoir Characterization
Previously Documented
 Martin, et al., 1997
 Geophysical, geological and petrophysical
analyses
 Geological model consisting of 19 layers
 Correlated seismic attributes to
petrophysical parameters to improve
reservoir mapping
Structure Map
and Reservoir
Simulation
Grid
Simulation Model Horizontal
Permeability Distribution for Simulation
Layer 1
Complete 3D View of the Simulation Model
(Mid-Point Elevations of Simulation
Gridblock, ft Sub-Sea)