1887

Abstract

Summary

Fault seal uncertainty refers to the seal capacity of a fault. Several tools and empirical relationships have been developed to assess cross-fault juxtapositions and estimate the fault gouge permeability and its potential membrane seal capacity. This seal capacity is often based on an estimate of the clay content of the fault zone as this tends to correlate with capillary seal properties of fault gouge. A whole range of parameters can affect a fault seal evaluation from the quality of seismic imaging and trap mapping through to the fault deformation mechanism, and the distribution and properties of the resultant fault gouge that help provide the required membrane seal. This talk will offer a review of some methods to help frame the uncertainty in seal calculations with particular focus on the role that variable stratigraphy/lithology may play. Stochastic modelling allows assessment of the magnitude of uncertainty that parameters may impose on the calculation. The results of this exercise show that the key drivers affecting fault seal evaluations are stratigraphic uncertainty (i.e. sand thicknesses, stacking patterns and net/gross), Vshale calculations, the magnitude of fault throw, and the seal model employed. Fault seal capacity should always be quoted as a range.

© EAGE Publications BV
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2025-09-14
2026-02-13

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References

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/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202532041
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Modelling Fault Seal Uncertainty
Conference Proceedings 2025, 1 (2025); https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202532041
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202532041
/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.202532041
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