The Future of Geological Modelling in Hydrocarbon Development

The 3D geological model is still regarded as one of the newest and most innovative tools for reservoir management purposes. The computer modelling of structures, rock properties and fluid flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs has evolved from a specialist activity to part of the standard desktop toolkit. The application of these techniques has allowed all disciplines of the subsurface team to collaborate in a common workspace. In today’s asset teams, the role of the geological model in hydrocarbon development planning is key and will be for some time ahead.
The challenges that face the geologists and engineers will be to provide more seamless interaction between static and dynamic models. This interaction requires the development of conventional and unconventional modelling algorithms and methodologies in order to provide more risk-assessed scenarios, thus enabling geologists and engineers to better understand and capture inherent uncertainties at each aspect of the geological model’s life.
The Schiehallion Field: lessons learned modelling a complex deepwater turbidite
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Published:January 01, 2008
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CiteCitation
Paul Freeman, Sean Kelly, Chris Macdonald, John Millington, Mike Tothill, 2008. "The Schiehallion Field: lessons learned modelling a complex deepwater turbidite", The Future of Geological Modelling in Hydrocarbon Development, A. Robinson, P. Griffiths, J. Price, J. Hegre, A. Muggeridge
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Abstract
The need for a new Schiehallion full field reservoir simulation model was driven by the requirement to re-evaluate the reserves in the field: the existing model indicated that the modelled volumes were potentially too conservative. This, coupled with a 50% increase in the wells database through ongoing development drilling, was the main reason for building the new model. An integrated multidisciplinary team consisting of BP and Shell staff was set up to build a new full-field reservoir simulation model for reserves re-evaluation. The paper outlines the workflow employed in building the new model, FFM2003, and describes elements of this workflow in more detail, concentrating on lessons learned during the process.