Publication Date:
2009-03-01
Description:
In this article we focus on the potential of fault-overlap zones as conduits for fluid flow in a variety of reservoir types. Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) technology were applied to collect a three-dimensional, spatially constrained data set from a well-exposed fault-overlap zone that crops out in the Devil's Lane area of the Canyonlands National Park in Utah. A virtual outcrop was generated and used to extract structural and stratigraphic data that were taken into a reservoir modeling software and reconstructed. The outcrop-based model was flow simulated and used to test fluid flow through a real-world fault-overlap zone. A structural framework was built based on collected outcrop data and combined with a series of nine different facies models. The different facies models included an eolian model based on the outcrop and a range of synthetic fluvial and shallow marine systems. Results show that, for certain depositional models, cross-fault reservoir communication may be poor despite the geometric connectivity of the relay beds. This was the case for low net/gross fluvial models and shoreface models. Conversely, high net/gross fluvial systems and eolian systems show good communication through the same relay zone. Overall, the results show that, in the presence of a fault-overlap zone, pressure communication across a relay ramp may still be poor depending on the scale of the faults and relay ramp as well as the geometry and volume of the sands. Atle Rotevatn received his Candidatus Scientiarum degree (M.Sc. degree equivalent) from the University of Oslo in 2004, studying ductilely deformed rocks of the East Greenland Caledonides. In 2007, he received his Ph.D. in structural geology from the University of Bergen, focusing on reservoir-scale deformation structures and their influence on fluid flow in oil and gas reservoirs. In 2006, he joined the Norwegian exploration and production company Rocksource where he currently works in international exploration. Simon Buckley received his B.Sc. degree (1999) and Ph.D. (2003) in geomatics from Newcastle University, United Kingdom. He has since been a research fellow at the University of Newcastle, Australia, and is currently a researcher at the University of Bergen. His research interests include the application and advancement of geomatics techniques, particularly LIDAR and photogrammetry, within the earth sciences. John Howell holds a B.Sc. degree (hons) from the University of Wales and a Ph.D. (1992) from the University of Birmingham (United Kingdom). After working 10 yr at the University of Liverpool, he established the virtual outcrop geology group at the Center for Integrated Petroleum Research (University of Bergen). His current research interests include collection and use of virtual outcrop data. He divides his time between the University and Rocksource, which he cofounded. Haakon Fossen received his Candidatus Scientiarum degree (M.Sc. degree equivalent) from the University of Bergen (1986) and his Ph.D. in structural geology from the University of Minnesota (1992). He joined Statoil in 1986 and, since 1996, has been a professor in structural geology at the University of Bergen. His scientific interests cover the evolution and collapse of mountain ranges, the structure of rift basins, and petroleum-related deformation structures at various scales.
Print ISSN:
0149-1423
Electronic ISSN:
1943-2674
Topics:
Geosciences
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