Computer-Aided Offshore Reservoir Delineation: ABSTRACT

Abstract

Delineation of discrete reservoirs is essential in the development of a petroleum field. This may be especially complex in offshore situations where numerous wells deviate from one or more platforms. An offshore field in southern California is an example where reservoir delineation was needed prior to designing a secondary flooding program. A data base, containing directional survey data and measured depths of stratigraphic horizons, was used to generate structural cross sections at user-defined planes. These cross sections aided in the structural interpretation by outlining the plunging anticline, identifying faults, and revealing the variability in zone thicknesses. Digital well-log data were used by the Stacked Curves System to assist in the stratigraphic interpretation. Color stratigraphic cross sections were generated on a zone-by-zone basis to compensate for the changing locations of the deviated boreholes. Lithology and porosity variations were easily determined from the color cross sections. Merging the information obtained from structural and stratigraphic cross sections provided a detailed geologic picture of the field allowing the strategic location for injection wells. End_of_Article - Last_Page 557------------