Fault Seal Analysis
RMSFaultseal allows geologists and reservoir engineers to quickly
and easily analyse sealing effects occurring in fault regions. Data
representing the degree of sealing can be generated and used as
basis for seal analysis or as input to a flow simulator. Uncertainty in
fault sealing effects is properly handled and can be integrated into
overall workflows. Characterization of sealing effects can
significantly improve the quality and speed of a simulation history
match.
IN SUMMARY
• Prediction of fault sealing effects with industry standard
models
• Generates fault transmissibility multipliers
• SGR curves from fault property databases can be used as
input
• Advanced visualisation of fault zone properties
Faults also play an important part in the ultimate recovery and
sweep efficiency within the reservoir. Accurate characterization of
fault properties ensures that the field development plan and well
locations are optimized for recovery and sweep efficiency.
POOR HISTORY MATCH
GOOD HISTORY MATCH
Simple Transmissibility multipliers
Fauls seal analysis derived
• Results can be exported to external flow simulators or used
in integrated streamline or black oil simulations.
• Truly integrated and easy to use
Powerful Fault Seal Analysis
Faults are typically included in reservoir models with a geometrical
description, including displacement and fault juxtaposition. Fault
sealing effects caused by shale smear or fault gouge are more often
neglected, or simply handled manually as transmissibility multipliers
by the reservoir engineer in a history matching process.
As shown in the figure below this is frequently inadequate and the
engineer is then required to modify these by trial and error to
improve the history match. Through the application of fault seal
analysis techniques, both the quality of the reservoir model and the
history match can be dramatically improved.
Faults can significantly impact fluid flow within the reservoir and the
correct fault fluid flow characterization is often critical to getting a
good history match. Fault transmissibility multipliers are
one of the factors which have historically been applied by reservoir
engineers in an often slow process to get a history match. The history
matching process can be significantly speeded up and improved on
many reservoirs through the use of Roxar’s fault seal analysis.
transmissibility multipliers
Example taken from Svedrup et al. (2003)
RMSFaultseal is part of the RMS workflow which has been designed as
a truly integrated reservoir interpretation and modeling solution. No
other single application brings this degree of integration across so
much of the reservoir characterization workflow. Multiple disciplines
are not just using shared data but also sharing a single application.
Fault Seal Analysis
Choice of Fault Zone Permeability Algorithms
RMSFaultseal allows the user to choose the most appropriate
fault zone permeability equation for their field and data.
Manzocchi et al. (1999)
logKFZ = -4SGR – 1⁄4 log(D) * (1 – SGR)5
Sperrevik et al. (2002)
KFZ = a1*exp{-[a2SGR + a3*Zmax + (a4*Zf + a5)(1 - SGR)7]}
Multiple fault seal jobs can be defined and executed, containing data
set-up for individual or multiple faults. The jobs can be executed in
workflows, where uncertainty in input parameters can also be
investigated.
Flexible Output
The primary output for reservoir simulation is the fault
transmissibility multipliers. Additional information such as
transmissibility, shale gouge ratio and fault zone permeability
can also be generated for QC and analysis.
RMSStream and RMSFlowsim
Results from fault seal analysis can be used directly in Roxar’s
integrated simulation and streamlines solutions, RMSFlowsim &
RMSStream. This allows the impact of the results to be quickly
analysed and used directly within the model for development
planning and recovery optimisation.
Export to Industry Simulators
Shale Gouge Ratio (yellow) and Fault Permeability (blue) vizualized on fault faces
SGR Curves from Fault Property Databases
As an alternative to the pre-defined equations for fault zone
permeability, information from fault property databases can be used
where available. This offers the opportunity to use directly measured
or analogue data, improving the quality of the results over standard
published relationships.
Results can be easily exported to common industry simulators,
ensuring seamless integration into your existing workflows. Final
results from simulation can also be imported for further analysis and
visualization, alongside the original reservoir model.
To learn more please visit www.roxarsoftware.com or email
us on [email protected].
References
Manzocchi, T., Walsh, J. J., Nell, P. & Yielding, G. 1999. Fault transmissibility multipliers
Advanced Visualisation
for flow simulation models. Petroleum Geoscience 5, 53-63.
Sverdrup E., Helgesen J., & Vold J. 2003. Sealing properties of faults and their influence on
All fault zone properties can be visualised on the faulted cell faces.
These are easily displayed and can be filtered to show only the faults
of interest. The results for all cells and part cells can be displayed for
both hanging wall and footwall cell faces (as shown in the figure
above).
water alternating-gas injection efficiency in the Snorre field, northern North
Sea. AAPG Bulletin, v. 87 (9), pp. 1437-1458.
Accurate Grid Based Calculations
Roxar 2014
RMS maintains a close link between the structural model and the 3D
grid, and this can be utilised in the fault seal modelling. Geometric
calculations involved in the fault seal modelling are performed using
the structural model, giving a highly accurate result for all types of
faults. Fault properties are calculated for all grid cells adjacent to
user-selected faults.
ROXAR AS, GAMLE FORUSVEI 17, PO BOX 112, 4065 STAVANGER, NORWAY TELEPHONE +47 51 81 8800 FAX +47 51 81 8801 WWW.ROXAR.COM