The study of the effect of fault transmissibility on the reservoir production using reservoir simulation—Cornea Field, Western Australia

Abstract

The focused area in this study is in the Cornea Field located in the Yampi Shelf, north-eastern Browse Basin, Australia. The field was stated to be an elongated unfaulted drape anticline over highly eroded basement. From the literature and seismic data, faults die at the basement in the Cornea Field. Therefore, no faults were considered previously. The tectonic activity was not apparent in the area with only deformation by gravitational movements and compaction in the basement zone. However, fault might present in the reservoir and seal depth as time passed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to simulate the Cornea field with faults, to determine the effect of fault transmissibility on oil production. The study shows that the fault permeability and fault displacement thickness ratio have a close relationship with fault transmissibility. The fault transmissibility increases when fault permeability and fault displacement thickness ratio increase. Transmissibility multiplier was also considered in this study. The fault transmissibility increases with the increase in transmissibility multiplier, thus the oil production. This study contributes to the gap present in the research of the Cornea Field with fault structure, where it is important to consider fault existence during exploration and production.