Open AccessReconstruction of rocks petrophysical properties as input data for reservoir modeling
Author(s) -
Cantucci B.,
Montegrossi G.,
Lucci F.,
Quattrocchi F.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1002/2016gc006548
Subject(s) - petrophysics , geology , hydrogeology , geomechanics , geothermal gradient , outcrop , petrography , environmental geology , petroleum engineering , permeability (electromagnetism) , geothermal energy , reservoir modeling , petrology , mining engineering , geotechnical engineering , porosity , geochemistry , geophysics , membrane , biology , telmatology , genetics
The worldwide increasing energy demand triggered studies focused on defining the underground energy potential even in areas previously discharged or neglected. Nowadays, geological gas storage (CO 2 and/or CH 4 ) and geothermal energy are considered strategic for low‐carbon energy development. A widespread and safe application of these technologies needs an accurate characterization of the underground, in terms of geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, and geomechanics. However, during prefeasibility study‐stage, the limited number of available direct measurements of reservoirs, and the high costs of reopening closed deep wells must be taken into account. The aim of this work is to overcome these limits, proposing a new methodology to reconstruct vertical profiles, from surface to reservoir base, of: (i) thermal capacity, (ii) thermal conductivity, (iii) porosity, and (iv) permeability, through integration of well‐log information, petrographic observations on inland outcropping samples, and flow and heat transport modeling. As case study to test our procedure we selected a deep structure, located in the medium Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). Obtained results are consistent with measured data, confirming the validity of the proposed model. Notwithstanding intrinsic limitations due to manual calibration of the model with measured data, this methodology represents an useful tool for reservoir and geochemical modelers that need to define petrophysical input data for underground modeling before the well reopening.