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Building and Calibrating 3D Geomechanical Reservoir Models – A Worked Example
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 73rd EAGE Conference and Exhibition incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2011, May 2011, cp-238-00167
- ISBN: 978-90-73834-12-5
Abstract
The paper presents a workflow to build and calibrate geomechanical reservoir models based on finite element techniques. Special emphasis is on the transfer of the 3D reservoir geometry from a standard industry software package to the specific geomechanical modeling software used. Further reservoir-specific input data comprise the mechanical rock properties and the regional stress field. Modeling results need to be compared to well data actually observed, e.g., in situ stress measurements and fractures from cores and logs. Iterative modification of less well-constrained input parameters is typically required to achieve a good fit between modeling results and reality. This validated geomechanical reservoir model can then be used to predict tectonic stresses (orientation and magnitude) and fracture properties (orientation, type, density) in the inter-well space and the undrilled parts of the reservoir, respectively. Such prognoses are relevant for a wide range of applications, e.g., borehole stability, hydraulic frac planning and permeability anisotropies in stress-sensitive reservoirs.