A Post-mortem Study on Fault Retention Capacity

The main objective of this study is to test the methodology of retention capacity by capillary sealing. In order to accomplish this, we have chosen to study a prospect compartmentalized by faults already drilled by several exploration-appraisal wells simulating, as good as possible, the original exploration conditions before drilling. The predictions of the fault retention capacity study are coherent with the well results proving the reliability of the methodology. Results from wells confirm the predictions from the methodology. All drilled wells have found different OWCs and different pressure regimes of the oil columns. The inherent heterogeneities of the stratigraphy must be incorporated in the definition of faults-horizons intersections. The definition of Top and Base reservoir proved to be insufficient. The predictions became reliable only when a more refined stratigraphic model was incorporated into the prediction process.