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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
Houston Geological Society Bulletin
Abstract
Abstract: Exploration for Fault-Related Fractured Reservoirs
By
Broken N Consulting, Inc.
Simonton, Texas
Fractured reservoirs associated with faults produce oil and
gas throughout the world. They occur in carbonates, clastics,
and crystalline rocks. Recent examples
include Monte Alpi and Tempa Rosa in
Italy (carbonate), Bach Ho in Vietnam
(granite), and several Trenton-Black River
Fields in the Northeastern USA (carbonate).
This kind of fractured reservoir is
quite variable in opportunity, from small
volumes of hydrocarbons up to 400+
MBO. The key to these reservoirs, which
often occur in low-porosity matrix rocks,
lies in the inhomogeneous distribution of
fracture intensity. These fracture systems
are inherently variable in nature along
strike and with depth. The essentials to predicting optimum
well
locations lie in depicting and predicting the areas along the fault
trends that are most fractured and have the best reservoir
communication and drainage. Predictions are based on
rock mechanics principles and a detailed understanding of the
geometry of the fault surfaces in 3-D. In addition, depiction can
come from well-selected seismic attributes designed to highlight
highly fractured volumes of rock. In particular, attributes associated
with coherency and amplitude have proved to be very useful.
Experience tells us that target zones of high fracture intensity associated with faults are often only a few hundred feet in width but have high fracture intensity and permeability draining large volumes of low-porosity matrix storage. Properly selected, wells in fractured reservoirs associated with faults can drain large volumes of hydrocarbons and require few wells to obtain the accessible volumes.
Exploration philosophy and technological approaches will be discussed using recent examples from Venezuela, Italy, Vietnam, Appalachians, and the Rockies.
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