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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Houston Geological Society Bulletin

Abstract


Houston Geological Society Bulletin, Volume 50, No. 04, December 2007. Page 11 and 13.

Abstract: Recognizing Reservoir Compartments on Geologic and Production Timescales in Deep-Water Reservoirs: An Example from Genesis Field, Gulf of Mexico

M. L. Sweet and L. T. Sumpter
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. Houston, Texas

Akey objective of reservoir description is the early identification of reservoir compartments. Early recognition of compartments requires the integration of structural and stratigraphic data with observations of pressure and fluid contacts. At the exploration and appraisal stage of field life, static compartments may be recognized. In this talk we define static compartments as reservoir compartments defined by boundaries that, over geologic time, represent barriers to fluid flow. Within a static compartment, the contact between two fluids will settle at a single elevation. Analysis of fluid contact and pressure data was done within a rigorous framework, developed at ExxonMobil, called Reservoir Connectivity Analysis (RCA). As the field is depleted, other barriers and baffles may become apparent through observation of pressure depletion and aquifer movement. These dynamic compartments are defined by boundaries that are not effective barriers to fluid flow over geologic time, but impede flow to the extent that they have a significant impact on contact movement or pressure depletion during production.

The Genesis Oil Field is located in Green Canyon Blocks 205, 160 and 161, Gulf of Mexico.We explored the stratigraphic and structural controls on compartmentalization in two Pleistocene-age deepwater reservoirs in Genesis Field (Neb 1 and Neb 3). We interpreted the older of these reservoirs, Neb 3, as an erosionally confined channel complex. Over a geologic timescale, Neb 3 was a single compartment, with a common oil-water contact throughout the field. As the reservoir was produced, Neb 3 development wells showed a common pressure decline trend and moderate aquifer support indicating communication in the oil column and between the oil column and the aquifer. In contrast, Neb 1 showed at least two

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different oil-water contacts before production started. Multiple barriers and baffles to flow became apparent with production. Aquifer support ranged from moderate to none.We interpreted Neb 1 as a channel levee complex. The connection between channels and levees appears to be poor and this is an important heterogeneity that was not previously recognized. In the case of the Neb 1 and Neb 3, reservoir architecture was the primary control on the degree of compartmentalization over both geologic and production timescales.

Top Neb 1 depth structure map showing key wells and Neb 1 oil-water contacts, fault traces and an outline of Neb 1 channel.

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