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Reservoir characterization
Improving oil recovery rates depends on improved knowledge of reservoirs.
Reservoir characterisation uses sedimentology, diagenesis and fracturation data to describe, quantify and model the heterogeneous elements in a reservoir with great precision. Subsurface and outcrop data is particularly useful.
Developing a static reservoir model
IFP’s researchers are developing a construction methodology for static reservoir modelling. The aim is to create the most precise model possible of heterogeneous distributions and properties. From the outset, the model incorporates:
- geological data,
- geological constraints identified using seismic data,
- production data.
This new static model makes it possible to anticipate calibration problems in dynamic models. To do this, it:
- reconciles the description scales used by the different tools,
- optimizes the mesh and layering,
- integrates dynamic field data immediately.
The main methodological challenge posed by reservoir simulation is the integration of geological, geophysical and dynamic data.
Research areas
IFP’s teams are involved in a number of projects to improve the characterisation of hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Description and quantification of heterogeneities
IFP develops models, both experimental and numerical, that can be used to study interactions between water and rocks. The goal is to simulate the diagenetic processes that occur during burial.
The description of heterogenities of sedimentary and diagenetic origin also requires the construction of synthetic reservoir models which make particular use of outcrop data.
Modelling fractures and their hydraulic properties
To improve the FracaFlow software package, IFP’s researchers studied:
- the characterisation of fractures on the basis of seismic data,
- new geomechanical simulation methods,
- homogenisation methods.
Developing geostatic and lithoseismic methods
IFP uses surface deformation and mesh techniques to ensure that reservoir models are updated automatically when new data are entered.
It has also developed new reservoir simulation methods (multi-gaussian, multipoint geostatics, sedimentary process simulations, etc.) which have been validated by case studies.
With regard to geophysics, pre stack inversion, modelling and seismic facies analysis techniques have been used to extract geological information from seismic data. This results have improved reservoir simulations.
Developing petrophysical measuring methods
Electrical measurement, cuttings measurement, NMR spectroscopy, etc.: these methods make it possible to optimize and identify the petrophysical properties of reservoir meshes.
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