3D Field Structural Model Update by Incorporating Geosteering 2D Structural Interpretations in UGS Reservoir Application. Northern Italy

Abstract

Geosteering consists in the integration of different formation evaluation and drilling technologies, together with 3D and 2D reservoir modelling, to optimize the placement of highly deviated wells within a selected interval of the reservoir. During geosteering, the 2D structural model is constantly updated to fit the geological model to the observed data, in order to plan the required trajectory adjustments and keep the wellbore within the target interval. The introduction of deep reading measurements and inversion modelling allows consistently mapping and tracing one or multiple formation boundaries along the wellbore, without ever crossing these boundaries. Incorporating reservoir and near-reservoir data acquired during geosteering operations allows improving the 3D field models for future planning of new wells. The presented case study shows how, integrating high-resolution 2D structural mapping delineated during the geosteering of two wells drilled in a UGS field, can improve the quality of the field 3D structural model. The scalability of the process means that both the information from new wells drilled and from reprocessed legacy data can be incorporated, enhancing the structural understanding of the sub-surface. In the current application, two wells were imported and processed together, but there is no limitation to the number or sequence of well data imported and reprocessed: as new wells are drilled, these can be added to the 3D structural model for further processing and refinement. Alternatively, if suitable data were available form older wells that were not used to adjust the 3D structural model, they could be reanalyzed and reintegrated to update the structural model.