Fluvial architecture and connectivity of the Williams Fork Formation: use of outcrop analogues for stratigraphic characterization and reservoir modelling

Pranter, Matthew J.; Hewlett, Alicia C.; Cole, Rex D.; Wang, Huabing; Gilman, James R.

doi:10.1144/sp387.1

Cited by 34 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Fielding & Crane (1987) used a published sandstone-body size database compilation to determine optimal well spacing in subsurface fluvial successions. Pranter & Sommer (2011) and Pranter et al (2013) used fluvial sandstone-body outcrop data from the Upper Cretaceous Williams Fork Formation to constrain static and dynamic reservoir models of the outcrop analogue to investigate connectivity patterns and optimum well density. Keogh et al (2014) collected qualitative and quantitative outcrop analogue data from the Lourinhã Formation (Portugal) at multiple scales with a goal to build integrated geomodels ranging from lithofacies to reservoir scale in support of Statfjord late-life field management (Norwegian Continental Shelf).…”

Section: Fluvial Depositional Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The papers cover a range of clastic depositional environments from fluvial (Alsop et al 2013;Pranter et al 2013;Rittersbacher et al 2013;Keogh et al 2014;Nordahl et al 2014) through paralic (Massey et al 2013;Rarity et al 2013) to deep marine (Eschard et al 2013). Two deal with LiDAR and virtual outcrop techniques from a ground base (Rarity et al 2013) and from a helicopter platform (Rittersbacher et al 2013); ground-based LiDAR was also used by Keogh et al (2014).…”

Section: Current Volumementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alsop et al (2013) and Pranter et al (2013) document studies in which the actual reservoir interval crops out near the oil fields. This situation provides the most robust match between the analogue and the modelled interval but such ideal cases rarely happen.…”

Section: Current Volumementioning

confidence: 99%

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The application of outcrop analogues in geological modelling: a review, present status and future outlook

2014

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Analogues, especially outcrop analogues, have played a central role in improving understanding of subsurface reservoir architectures. Analogues provide important information on geobody size, geometry and potential connectivity. The historical application of outcrop analogues for understanding geobody distributions in reservoirs is reviewed, from the pioneering work of the 1960s to the high-tech virtual outcrop methodologies of today. Four key types of analogue data are identified: hard data, which describe the dimensions and geometry of the geobody; soft data, which describe the conceptual relationships between different geobody types; training images, which record the dimensions, proportions and spatial relationship; and analogue production data, which are taken from direct subsurface production analogues. The use of these different data types at different stages of the geomodelling workflow is discussed and the potential sources of error considered. Finally, a review of geobody and analogue studies in different clastic environments is discussed with reference to selected previous work and the range of papers in the current volume.Over the last 30 years, computer-based, geocellular models have become a routinely used tool for understanding subsurface reservoirs (Budding & Inglin 1981; review in Keogh et al. 2007). Such models are typically built to aid field development and reservoir management business decisions, but also serve the purpose of integrating disparate scales and types of subsurface data, and visualizing complex three-dimensional (3D) distributions of rocks and fluids. Since the application of early modelling tools, to the present day, it has been common practice to supplement sparse subsurface datasets (e.g. wells and seismic) with data and concepts derived from reservoir analogues. The intention of this process is to generate more accurate representations of the subsurface than would otherwise be possible. Considerable effort has been expended in recent years by industry and academia on the description of reservoir analogues for this purpose. This paper examines the challenges inherent in selection and application of appropriate analogue data, particularly quantitative datasets, during construction of geological models.The most commonly used type of analogue is the outcrop, where information on geometric data that are limited in the subsurface is more readily available in cliff sections. Analogues may also include subsurface data but this is less common. This aspect is considered briefly in this review. The perspective on the application of analogues as discussed here is with regard to sedimentology and stratigraphy applied to hydrocarbon reservoir analysis, and the insights that 3D facies models bring to the distribution of petrophysical properties that control hydrocarbon flow. The discussion is based on clastic systems, but many of the aspects described are equally as applicable to carbonates, although they are not discussed explicitly here. Other branches of subsurface modelling, no...

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Section: Fluvial Depositional Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Current Volumementioning

confidence: 99%

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The application of outcrop analogues in geological modelling: a review, present status and future outlook

2014

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“…This choice of net reservoir rock implies that crevasse-splay sandstones would not contribute to flow (cf. Pranter et al 2014). Horizontal variations in NTG ratio are shown for each 'window' in Figure 6, together with the position of photographic logs and the measured section at Link Canyon ( Fig.…”

Section: Variations In Ntg Ratiomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Factors that influence the connectivity of channelized fluvial sandbodies include: (1) the NTG ratio; (2) the width and thickness of the sandbodies; (3) plan-view geometry of the sandbodies, which is typically considered in terms of sinuosity and range of sandbody orientations; (4) the organization of sandbody stacking; and (5) the sandstone content of crevasse-splay and other non-channelized floodplain deposits (Allen 1978;Leeder 1978;Bridge & Leeder 1979;Allard & HERESIM Group 1993;Jones et al 1995;North 1996;Ainsworth 2005;Larue & Hovadik 2006;Donselaar & Overeem 2008;Pranter & Sommer 2011;Pranter et al 2014). Reservoir modelling studies have typically assumed a combination of deterministic stratigraphic layering (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Object-based modelling of avulsion-generated sandbody distributions and connectivity in a fluvial reservoir analogue of low to moderate net-to-gross ratio

Villamizar

Hampson

Flood

et al. 2015

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Data from a large-scale outcrop analogue (Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation, Wasatch Plateau, central Utah, USA) were used to construct three-dimensional, object-based reservoir models of low to moderate net-to-gross (NTG) ratios (11-32%). Two descriptive spatial statistical measures, lacunarity and Ripley's K function, were used to characterize sandbody distribution patterns in the different models. Lacunarity is sensitive to sandbody abundance and NTG ratio, while Ripley's K function identifies clustered, random and regular spacing of sandbodies. The object-based modelling algorithm reproduces sandbody dimensions and abundances, but patterns of sandbody distribution generated by river avulsion are poorly replicated because pseudo-well spacing provides only limited constraint on sandbody positions.In common with previous studies, the connected sand fraction in the reservoir models increases with increasing NTG ratio and increasing range of sandbody orientations, but there is significant stochastic variation around both of these trends. In addition, low NTG reservoir models in which sandbodies exhibit strong clustering may also have a low connected sand fraction across the model volume because the sandbody clusters are widely spaced and, thus, tend to be isolated from each other. Consequently, connected sand fraction could be overestimated if avulsion-generated sandbody clusters are not identified and replicated in models of such reservoirs. Research article petgeo2015-004r esearch-articleResearch article10.1144/petgeo2015-004Object-based modelling of avulsion-generated sandbody distributions and connectivity in a fluvial reservoir analogue of low to moderate net-to-gross ratioCarlos

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Deep Learning for Prediction of Complex Geology Ahead of Drilling

Fossum

Alyaev

Tveranger

et al. 2021

Computational Science – ICCS 2021

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Fluvial architecture and connectivity of the Williams Fork Formation: use of outcrop analogues for stratigraphic characterization and reservoir modelling

Cited by 34 publications

References 23 publications

The application of outcrop analogues in geological modelling: a review, present status and future outlook

The application of outcrop analogues in geological modelling: a review, present status and future outlook

Object-based modelling of avulsion-generated sandbody distributions and connectivity in a fluvial reservoir analogue of low to moderate net-to-gross ratio

Deep Learning for Prediction of Complex Geology Ahead of Drilling

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