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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract

AAPG Bulletin, V. 104, No. 3 (March 2020), P. 711-734.

Copyright ©2020. The American Association of Petroleum Geologists. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1306/05091918122

Geostatistical Earth modeling of cyclic depositional facies and diagenesis

Thomas Le Blévec,1 Olivier Dubrule,2 Cédric M. John,3 and Gary J. Hampson4

1Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; [email protected]
2Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; [email protected]
3Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; [email protected]
4Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; [email protected]

ABSTRACT

In siliciclastic and carbonate reservoirs, depositional facies are commonly described as being organized in cyclic successions overprinted by diagenesis. Most reservoir modeling workflows are not able to stochastically reproduce such patterns. Herein, a novel geostatistical method is developed to model depositional facies architectures that are rhythmic and cyclic, together with superimposed diagenetic facies.

The method uses truncated Pluri-Gaussian random functions constrained by transiograms. Cyclicity is defined as an asymmetric ordering between facies, and its direction is given by a three-dimensional vector, called shift. This method is illustrated in two case studies. Outcrop data of the Triassic Latemar carbonate platform, northern Italy, are used to model shallowing-upward facies cycles in the vertical direction. A satellite image of the modern Bermuda platform interior is used to model facies cycles in the windward-to-leeward lateral direction.

Because depositional facies architectures are modeled using two Gaussian random functions, a third Gaussian random function is added to model diagenesis. Thereby, depositional and diagenetic facies can exhibit spatial asymmetric relationships. The method is applied in the Latemar carbonate platform that experiences syndepositional dolomite formation. The method can also incorporate proportion curves to model nonstationary facies proportions. This is illustrated in Cretaceous shallow-marine sandstones and mudstones of the Book Cliffs (Utah), for which cyclic facies and diagenetic patterns are constrained by embedded transition probabilities.

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