FORWARD MODELING OF SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHY AND DIAGENESIS: Application to Rapid, Cost-Effective Carbonate Reservoir Characterization

Dynamic forward modeling of carbonate reservoir sequence stratigraphy and diagenetic overprint can yield rapid, cost-effective reservoir characterization. The common practice in reservoir characterization now relies heavily on massive data accumulation and geostatistics to produce the three-dimensional geocellular static model which is the basis for flow simulation. In dynamic forward modeling, reliance on understanding of geological process allows high resolution prediction of the geometry of permeable and impermeable units and horizons within the reservoir. Data requirements are reduced to state-of-the-art information on a relatively small number of control wells which constrain and calibrate the forward model. Sensitivity-testing among formally-stated competing concepts is encouraged. In the long-term, it is the accurate prediction of reservoir response to future production that will afford choice among competing static models and flow simulations. The goal should be to predict future problems and avoid them, rather than wait to observe problems and react to them.