Chapter 9 - Tight sands reservoir modeling

Abstract

Reservoir modeling plays a significant role in the investigation of reservoir heterogeneity related to the distribution of reservoir zones and lateral and vertical variations in geological and petrophysical properties of tight gas sandstone reservoirs. Data and information derived from the core, well logs, and seismic could be used for facies and petrophysical modeling of these reservoirs. Due to the heterolithic lithology of tight sandstones, description of facies based on lithology and textural characteristics (lithofacies) that can be correlated with well logs, is more practical than merely petrofacies analysis for reservoir modeling targets. Investigation of isopach and isolith maps as well as the correlation of lithofacies between the studied wells provides a suitable framework for the sedimentary basin that helps to consciously progress the modeling process. Porosity, permeability, and water saturation are the main petrophysical parameters in reservoir modeling of tight sandstone reservoirs that can be correlated with reservoir rock types and dynamic reservoir parameters. The results of static and dynamic reservoir modeling could be considered for sensitivity and uncertainty analysis to reach a more realistic estimation of hydrocarbon reserves in these reservoirs.