What are the best practices for integrating stratigraphic modeling and reservoir simulation?

1 Why integrate stratigraphic modeling and reservoir simulation?

Stratigraphic modeling is the process of creating realistic 3D representations of the depositional history, facies distribution, and diagenetic evolution of a sedimentary basin. Integrating this method with reservoir simulation, which uses numerical models to simulate the fluid flow and pressure changes in a reservoir, can create more reliable models that capture the complex interactions between geology, physics, and engineering. This integration can help to improve reservoir characterization by incorporating geological constraints and uncertainties into the simulation model. It can also reduce modeling time and effort by reusing or updating the stratigraphic model as a basis for the simulation grid and properties. Additionally, it can enhance reservoir management by testing different development strategies and optimizing recovery factor.

2 How to integrate stratigraphic modeling and reservoir simulation?

Integrating stratigraphic modeling and reservoir simulation depends on the degree of interaction and feedback between the two methods. To do this, you need to define your objectives, scope, and data quality available, as well as consider time and resource constraints. Selecting the appropriate software and workflow is essential, such as sequential, parallel, or iterative. Then, build or update a 3D stratigraphic model using geological data and concepts to represent the depositional history, facies distribution, and diagenetic evolution of your reservoir. Generate or assign reservoir properties using geostatistical methods to distribute them in a spatially consistent manner. Export or transfer the model to your simulation software. Finally, run or update your reservoir simulation using engineering data and scenarios while calibrating and validating it against production data.

3 What are the benefits of integrating stratigraphic modeling and reservoir simulation?

Integrating stratigraphic modeling and reservoir simulation can provide you with several benefits, such as better understanding of reservoir heterogeneity and connectivity, more realistic and reliable predictions of reservoir performance, and enhanced reservoir management and optimization. Stratigraphic modeling can help capture geological features and processes that control the distribution and connectivity of your reservoir units. This can enable you to identify areas of high or low productivity, flow paths, barriers, and potential for bypassed oil or gas. With a reservoir simulation model that incorporates geological constraints and uncertainties, you can simulate the fluid flow and pressure changes in your reservoir under different scenarios. This can help you estimate the recoverable reserves, production profiles, recovery factor, and economic viability of your project. An integrated model that allows for interaction and feedback between stratigraphic modeling and reservoir simulation can be used to test different development strategies and optimize your recovery factor. This can assist in designing the best well placement, completion type, injection scheme, and reservoir management strategy for your project.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?