Application of borehole image logs in constructing 3D static models of productive fracture networks in the Apulian Platform, Southern Apennines

Abstract

Abstract Fractured reservoirs of the Apulian Platform carbonates present significant challenges from the perspective of formation evaluation. Evaluation problems manifest themselves at all stages of reservoir development from exploration and production drilling through to reserves calculation and reservoir simulation. A significant aspect of these problems arises from the difficulty in locating and testing productive fractures during drilling operations. Once productive fractures have been identified the problem then becomes how to model them away from the borehole and to assign field scale fracture parameters. A key data set in such evaluations is provided by borehole image logs. This paper discusses how borehole image logs have been used to describe the Apulian Platform carbonates with respect to: (a) identify producing fractures, (b) to understand and model the relationship of fractures to the stress field, (c) to provide input to 3D models of producing fracture systems, and (d) how the 3D models were used to quantify the fracture system. The combination of these elements has led to a practical methodology by which a significantly improved understanding of the Apulian Platform fracture system has been achieved.