Predict sandstone distribution by integrated study of deformed shale using borehole image and seismic data, a case study from northern Gulf of Mexico

Xu, Wenli; Winkelman, Ben; Wilkinson, Tim; Kumar, Anil; Chen, L.; Hayden, Ron; Gendur, Jason; Hearn, Richard; Shan, Dan; Meyer, John C.; Canas, Jesus Alberto; Mullins, Oliver C.

doi:10.1016/j.ptlrs.2020.04.006

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…(A) Equilibrated asphaltene molecules matching the light oil model of the FHZ EoS in a North Sea reservoir. ,,,− The two outliers, #5 and #15, are known to be disconnected by geologic features and also differ in thermal maturity. (B) Equilibrated nanoaggregates matching the black oil model of the FHZ EoS. ,− The oils have a moderate GOR (∼1300 scf/bbl) and GOR gradient which increases the magnitude of the asphaltene gradient. The upper and lower sands are each laterally connected but not well connected vertically as there is an offset in the two gradients.…”

Section: Structure–static Function: Oilfield Reservoirsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure–Dynamic Function Relations of Asphaltenes

et al. 2021

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Asphaltene molecular and nanocolloidal structures have largely been resolved enabling development of structure–function relations of asphaltenes. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) have provided the first direct molecular structures of many asphaltenes with extension into broader distributions of petroleum pitch. These studies confirmed previous findings of dominant island architecture, moderate-sized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with significant variability in the number and geometry of these rings. The Yen–Mullins model of centroids of molecular and nanocolloidal species of asphaltenes continues to provide foundations for thermodynamic treatment of crude oils, for both bulk and surface. Herein, these asphaltene structures are subject to the stringent test of modeling dynamic function along with static function. Recent results impact evaluation of the molecular management of heavy oil refining for the hydrotreatment process. Roughly, 25,000 reactions were considered acting on ∼17,000 molecules. Reactants and products are probed with ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry. In modeling, consistency is required with AFM molecular imaging results of asphaltenes. Excellent agreement is obtained between modeling and experiment, increasing accuracy and robustness. Thermodynamic treatments of asphaltenes in bulk and surface are shown within a structure–dynamic function setting. Two oilfield reservoirs are reviewed which are undergoing different diffusive processes in geologic time. The dynamic model to evaluate both reservoirs couples the simplest solution of the diffusion equation with a quasi-equilibrium state employing the Yen–Mullins model in parts distant from the diffusive process, and excellent agreement between modeling and measurement is obtained. For interfacial tension (IFT), a static model employing the simple Langmuir equation successfully treats solutions of moderate asphaltene concentrations and is consistent with AFM images of asphaltenes. A first-order dynamic correction of time evolution of the IFT can be accounted for considering some molecular polydispersity. Structure–dynamic function relations are established for asphaltenes in three very different arenas.

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Section: Structure–static Function: Oilfield Reservoirsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure–Dynamic Function Relations of Asphaltenes

et al. 2021

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“…The hemipelagic shale baffle between the two turbidite sands was partially eroded by deposition of the upper turbidite sand. 89 The methane carbon isotope values of the upper and lower sands are invariant in the central fairway. 89 Figure 15 tests the impact of very limited connectivity between two stacked sands on the mixing of added gas in the oil reservoir.…”

Section: Rapid Mixing and Equilibration Of Gas And Oil Chargesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…89 The methane carbon isotope values of the upper and lower sands are invariant in the central fairway. 89 Figure 15 tests the impact of very limited connectivity between two stacked sands on the mixing of added gas in the oil reservoir. Even though there is a very small opening between the upper and lower sands in the simulation, excellent mixing is obtained throughout both stacked sands�predominantly a single color prevails.…”

Section: Rapid Mixing and Equilibration Of Gas And Oil Chargesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Compositional Mixing Characteristics of Separate Gas and Oil Charges into Oil Field Reservoirs

Mullins,

Elshahawi,

Chen

et al. 2023

Energy Fuels

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Many reservoirs worldwide received separate charges of primary biogenic gas and oil. In high pressure provinces such as the Gulf of Mexico, the added gas should be in solution if thoroughly mixed. In addition, this biogenic gas is easily differentiated from thermogenic gas by measurement of methane carbon isotopes and gas composition. Consequently, the extent of mixing can be determined with accuracy, and the gas and oil mixing processes depend on specifics of reservoir charging and can lead to multiple outcomes. The conventional expectation is that the biogenic gas always precedes oil entry into the reservoir. Here, chemical evaluation of reservoir fluids coupled with reservoir understanding of several reservoirs establishes that the oil can arrive prior to biogenic gas. Seismic imaging of gas chimneys provides a plausible explanation for how this can occur. In addition, thermodynamic and geochemical evaluation of the reservoir fluids across the reservoir tightly constrains possible mixing processes. Simple reservoir simulation shows that excellent gas and oil mixing can occur over a wide range of conditions provided that the gas charges into the oil column at its bottom (at the oil−water contact). This modeling exhibits simple fluid mechanics expectations for this reservoir charging process. In addition, since the increase of solution gas destabilizes asphaltenes, fluid geodynamic processes are indicated that can lead to redistributions of asphaltenes. Evaluation of gas and oil mixing processes in reservoirs fits within the framework of the powerful new technical discipline, reservoir fluid geodynamics, for subsurface characterization.

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“…Some specific interpretation software has also been developed, such as the AutoLISP program for the construction of geological cross-sections [12] and the Borehole and Ice Feature Annotation Tool [13]. The borehole TV imaging technology has been widely applied to in situ measurements in the fields of tunnel surveying [4][5][6], hydropower engineering [14], hydrological exploration [15][16][17], hydrocarbon storage [18][19][20][21], and sedimentary structures [22]. The borehole TV imaging technology, which is independent of the core drilling process, can directly obtain the borehole rock images and the occurrence of the in situ structural planes on the borehole wall.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Borehole TV Imaging Technology for Horizontal Directional Drilling Based on an Optimization Algorithm for Structural Planes

Yang,

Cai,

Wang

et al. 2023

Advances in Civil Engineering

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The horizontal directional drilling technology combined with the borehole TV imaging technology can be used to obtain most of the geological information in conventional adit exploration. This combination has little impact on the environment and is free from topographic constraints, thus contributing to green exploration. However, conventional algorithms for structural planes fail to accurately extract information on the attitudes of incomplete structural planes in boreholes of any azimuth. Moreover, existing borehole TV devices are mostly cable-based and, thus, difficult to put in place in horizontal drilling. They are prone to get stuck in the collapse section of boreholes, thus damaging the devices. Given these challenges, this study develops an optimization algorithm for structural planes: (1) first, information on multiple points in the 2D unfolded view is fitted using a sinusoidal function curve, three arbitrary points are constructed using the fitted curve, and the normal vector of the plane determined by the three points is calculated; (2) the normal vector in the geodetic coordinate system is obtained after two rotations of the spatial coordinate system based on the theory of transformation of Cartesian coordinate system; (3) finally, the dip angle and dip direction of a structural plane are calculated using the normal vector in the geodetic coordinate system. By making the best use of the information on multiple points in the 2D unfolded view, the optimization algorithm can overcome the defect that is difficult for conventional two-point methods to locate the highest and lowest points of discontinuous structural planes. Therefore, the optimization algorithm applies to calculating the attitudes of structural planes in boreholes of any azimuth. Based on this optimization algorithm, this study successfully develops a cable-free, storage-based TV device for boreholes of any azimuth. This device was employed for laboratory experiments on 20 complete structural planes and 32 incomplete structural planes. As indicated by the experiment results, the optimization algorithm proposed in this study is applicable to many types of structural planes, with a dip direction error of less than 10° and a dip angle error of less than 5°, thus meeting the production requirements.

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Predict sandstone distribution by integrated study of deformed shale using borehole image and seismic data, a case study from northern Gulf of Mexico

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

Structure–Dynamic Function Relations of Asphaltenes

Structure–Dynamic Function Relations of Asphaltenes

Compositional Mixing Characteristics of Separate Gas and Oil Charges into Oil Field Reservoirs

Borehole TV Imaging Technology for Horizontal Directional Drilling Based on an Optimization Algorithm for Structural Planes

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