oa Recent Developments and Future Challenges in 3D Reservoir Modelling

The most significant recent developments and (indeed) future challenges in 3D reservoir modelling are related to two main topics: 1. The ability of the 3D models to describe realistic structural and stratigraphic geometries. 2. The integration of data from a wide variety of sources including; well, seismic and production data. MODELLING REALISTIC GEOMETRIES 3D structural modelling of large and complex fields has remained a bottleneck in the 3D reservoir modelling workflow. Nevertheless there have been large improvements in the ability of modelling algorithms to describe complex structural geometries in strongly extensional and compressional regimes, and around salt domes. Many of these advances required a major concept change from describing faults using pillars to a less constrained pillar-free representation in the 3D model. Modelling of realistic stratigraphic architecture has also seen significant advances in recent years due to enhancement of object modelling algorithms and the introduction of “Multi-Point” Statics (MPS). There is still a need however for further development of facies modelling algorithms to capture realistic depositional and diagenetic geometries. Outcrop analogues should be used more actively for designing realistic algorithms and for constraining the input parameters to the models. DATA INTEGRATION One of the main aims of 3D modelling is to utilise all available data and interpretations in a consistent manner. Recent developments have seen much improved use of horizontal well data in the structural model construction, and increasing application of seismic data in property modelling. Two important integration themes are still in their infancy and are receiving increased focus. The first involves the incorporation of 4D seismic feedback into the static and dynamic models. The second involves the active use of dynamic (history) data in the static model (“the Big Loop”). The integration of these data types will become more commonplace during the next few years and will contribute to improved 3D reservoir models and subsequently to better reservoir management of “Challenging Discoveries”.