Layered fluvial reservoirs with internal fluid cross flow: a well-connected family of well test pressure transient responses

A new well testing response from lateral cross flow within layers is described. The response occurs when there is extremely low effective vertical permeability in the system at the larger scale. Low vertical permeability actually accentuates the layering and reduces vertical cross flow whilst enhancing lateral cross flow from within-layer heterogeneities. The response is investigated using numerical simulation of flow in end-member models of complex and geologically realistic architecture in high net-to-gross fluvial systems. This ‘ramp’ response is shown to form one member of a family of well test pressure transient responses. The other members of the family include previously-described negative geoskin and geochoke. The use of well test data to characterize these particular types of layered fluvial reservoirs is an important step in the static-dynamic integration of geological and reservoir engineering models.