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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database
AAPG Bulletin
Abstract
DOI: 10.1306/10031414015
Developing a model discrete
fracture
network, drilling, and enhanced oil recovery strategy in an unconventional naturally fractured reservoir using integrated field, image log, and three-dimensional seismic data
fracture
network, drilling, and enhanced oil recovery strategy in an unconventional naturally fractured reservoir using integrated field, image log, and three-dimensional seismic data
Thomas H. Wilson,1 Valerie Smith,2 and Alan Brown3
1West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia; [email protected]
2Schlumberger Carbon Services, Columbus, Ohio; [email protected]
3Schlumberger NExT, Houston, Texas; [email protected]
ABSTRACT
In this study, we develop a model discrete
fracture
network (DFN) for the unconventional, naturally fractured Tensleep Sandstone oil reservoir at Teapot Dome, Wyoming. Reservoir characterization is based on three-dimensional (3D) seismic data,
fracture
image logs from Teapot Dome, and field observations of the Tensleep exposure in the Alcova anticline and Fremont Canyon areas. Image logs reveal that the dominant reservoir
fracture
set trends parallel to the present-day maximum horizontal compressive stress () inferred from drilling induced fractures. Analog field studies of the Alcova anticline and Fremont Canyon suggest
fracture
heights and lengths are power-law distributed, while the
fracture
spacing distribution is best described as log-normal. Image-log–derived
fracture
apertures are also log-normally distributed. These properties are incorporated into a model DFN. We assume subseismic folds, faults, and
fracture
zones control
fracture
intensity distribution and use composite 3D seismic attributes to locate subtle changes in seismic response interpreted to result from subseismic structure. Directional curvature defines aperture-opening strain normal to the dominant reservoir
fracture
set. Seismic attributes are scaled and combined to control
fracture
intensity variations in the model. Grid-cell porosity and permeability distributions derived from the DFN suggest the presence of northeast–southwest-trending reservoir compartments. We suggest that enhanced oil recovery operations may be optimized using lateral injection and production wells oriented along interpreted compartment boundaries at high angles to
. This combination of
injection and production laterals could help maximize
storage and hydrocarbon recovery in depleted reservoirs and in down-dip residual oil zones.
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