Coherence mapping?An automated approach to display goodness-of-correlation between wells in a field

Abstract

Patterns of inter-well correlations in map view can yield insight into the architecture of an area such as a petroleum reservoir. Preferred directions of fluid communications, discontinuities, and structural or depositional “grain” of an area often can be identified. In coherence mapping, large numbers of wells are compared in pairs, using a similarity coefficient. Sliding cross-correlation techniques of sections can be used to adjust for some normal stratigraphic inconsistencies. The calculated parameters are mapped as vector spider plots for each well, or as link-lines between well pairs with line thickness proportional to the strength of correlation. The resulting maps display areas of coherence and lines of discontinuities which can be interpreted according to the geologic style of the region. The method works best for areas with relatively great density of wells and uniform distribution. The database should contain logs digitized over the interval of interest and at least one stratigraphic marker. A pilot study of a carbonate reservoir with some 150 wells provided useful suggestions for reinterpretation of the field in terms of steeply dipping clinoforms of basin margin deposits.