This paper presents a method to condition the permeability modeling of a thin, heterogeneous high-K dolomitized unit. The interval is an important drilling target for field development, so precise permeability modeling is required to optimize well placement and completion designs in order to maximize oil recovery and minimize early water breakthrough. Detailed core observations from 85 wells classify the unit into two groups: Group A, composed mainly of dolostone and Group B, comprised exclusively of calcareous dolostone. Regression analyses of plug porosity-permeability values are characterized by one regression line for each group by which dolostone represents a higher permeability trend relative to calcareous dolostone. Core-plug scaling is used to scale-up the porosity-permeability relationships from core plug- to modelscale (100 m by 100 m cells). The two regression lines accurately capture the permeability contrast within the dolomitized unit. To extend the method into a full-field model, it is necessary to calibrate the well logs to the core data. Comparison of cores with various log responses indicates the porosity log is the most useful tool to achieve this. Group A, characterized by higher dolomite content, is distinguished by a distinct decrease in the porosity due to progressive dolomitization. Porosity logs from 499 wells are interpreted and permeability values are assigned using the regression lines based on the detailed distribution map of both groups. The modeling approach using hundreds of well logs calibrated to cores yields a more detailed picture of the spatial permeability variations of the dolomitized unit. Dynamic data from ongoing history matching is also used to implicitly adjust the first-pass static model.

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The Upper Jurassic Hadriya and Hanifa carbonate grainstone reservoirs in Berri Field, Saudi Arabia, contain large reserves of Saudi Extra Light crude oil. New geologic models of each reservoir have been built using sequence-stratigraphic principles. These new models have a chronostratigraphic architecture which accommodates the facies transitions observed in cores sampled along the ramp-to-basin profile. Each reservoir contains, from oldest to youngest:a highstand systems tract represented by aggrading and prograding grainstones, capped by a type-2 (subaqueous) sequence boundary;a shelf margin wedge systems tract characterized by grainstones showing maximum basinward progradation; anda transgressive systems tract typified by a series of backstepping grainstones capped by a surface of relative drowning. These new models clarify the elements controlling fluid movement within the reservoirs. Introduction Berri field is located about 100 km north of Dhahran in the eastern provence of Saudi Arabia. The anticlinal trap lies partly on and partly offshore, just northeast of Jubail. Of the seven Upper Jurassic reservoirs in this field, the Hanifa and Hadriya are currently under full development because they contain Arabian Extra Light crude (Fig. 1). Both reservoirs have been undergoing peripheral water injection since 1973. In 1988 ARAMCO initiated a joint study with a team from Mobil Research and Development Corporation to construct new geologic models of the Hanifa and Hadriya reservoirs that would eventually be used for reservoir simulation. Sequence stratigraphic principles were used in formulating the new models. Since no high-resolution seismic data was available over Berri Field, sequence stratigraphic interpretations were based solely on core and log data. This included 33 cores and 92 logs in the Hadriya, and 32 cores and 142 logs in the Hanifa. The application of sequence stratigraphic principles led to the recognition of previously undefined reservoir geometries. Subsequent integration of production and engineering data confirmed the importance of these geometries in controlling fluid distribution and movement. The new correlations had an especially profound affect on the three dimensional architecture of the Hanifa reservoir. PALEOGEOGRAPHIC SETTING The Middle Jurassic Arabian Platform was characterized by minimal platform-interior bathymetric relief and by widespread shallow-marine, carbonate sedimentation. Beginning in the Upper Jurassic, however, a series of intrashelf basins and intervening arches were formed (Fig 2). The intrashelf Arabian Basin was separated from the Southern Gulf Basin of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates by the Qatar Arch. P. 489^

A 3-D geologic model of the Hanifa reservoir was constructed using sequence stratigraphic principles and facies to control the distribution of porosity and permeability. The reservoir had been previously interpreted as having "layer cake" stratigraphy based on correlation of similar lithologies and similar appearing porosity inflections. The new geologic model incorporates a field-wide gamma ray correlation over 55 km from the non-reservoir rocks to the main producing area of the field. The gamma ray correlation produced a previously unrecognized reservoir geometry consisting of a high stand systems tract, a shelf (ramp) margin wedge, and a transgressive systems tract. This model represents our first 3-D geologic model based on sequence stratigraphy. This geologic model has been used successfully in reservoir simulation and field operations.The reservoir consists of skeletal sands and stromatoporoid boundstone complexes to the north that grade to non-reservoir mudstones to the south. The reservoir was divided into 45 geologic layers. Core descriptions led to mapping facies distribution within each geologic layer. A 3-D lithofacies model was constructed and used as a template to calculate and assemble porosity and permeability models. A water-saturation model was also constructed based on facies specific J-functions. The geologic horizons were then grouped into 20 flow layers as the geologic front end into reservoir simulation. 517The resulting geologic model has improved the Hanifa reservoir simulation by defining previously unrecognized reservoir geometries and providing the detailed resolution that enabled engineers and geologists to identify and understand the geologic attributes controlling fluid movement. The flood front has moved preferentially through grainstones in the highstand systems tract by crossing layer boundaries. Fluid flow has been impeded within layers that are dominated by boundstones, wackestones or mudstones.

A new generation geologic model for a giant Middle East carbonate reservoir was constructed and history matched with the objectives of creating a model suitable for full field prediction and sector level drill well planning. Several key performance drivers were recognized as important factors in the history match; 1) unique carbonate fluid displacement; 2) data validation and horizontal well trajectory issues; and 3) distribution of high permeability streaks. Ultimately a full field history match consisting of more than 1000 well strings and several decades of history was achieved using detailed distribution of the high permeability streaks, while honoring measured core poro-perm relationships, lab-validated displacement curves, and well test data. This paper discusses the role of the geometry and the vertical distribution of the high-permeability streaks in the history matching of a giant offshore carbonate reservoir. Specifically, the modeling of the high-permeability streaks – which consist of thin rudist and algal rudstone, floatstone, and peloidal grainstone, with abundant, well-connected inter-particle porosity - became possible after extensive revamping of the reservoir rock type model, updating well descriptions, and a detailed zonal mapping of the high permeability streaks and dolomitic zones. The areal and vertical model resolution was doubled over the previous models to accommodate the internal sub-layering of the upper four reservoir zones in order to capture the thin (~1.4 ft) high-permeability streaks. During the history match, local modifications of the high-permeability streaks were the integral part of the feedback loop between the simulation engineers and geoscientists that kept the common-scale simulation model and geologic model synchronized. The final history match was validated by extensive analysis of the models’ vertical conformance as compared to production logs. This approach made it possible to construct a more heterogeneous model than previous models; while honoring both field KH and matrix poro-permeability without local permeability multipliers. The combination of these features provides a higher confidence model of long term well injectivity/productivity.