Input

In input, we take well's lithofacies interpretation and geomorphology constraints (like valley geometry and faults from seismic data) and, optionally, a eustatic sea-level curve correlated to the parasequences boundaries.


Constrained Simulation

We stochastically construct a deposition sequence using forward stratigraphic modeling. The interpreted lithofacies intervals control each sedimentary body's position and thickness. If seismic information is available, it can constrain the paleo-landscape or the terminal shapes of a meandering river.


Output

We use all bodies' boundaries to construct a reservoir grid preserving thin-shale layers.

We provide deposition trends to use when simulating grid porosity and permeability.

Constrained Forward Stratigraphic Modeling

Building reservoir models is a three-step process: first, correlate well picks; second, build a stratigraphic grid; and third, use geostatistics to compute facies and property values.
Different problems exist with this method: 

  1.  The correlation of markers across many wells is sometimes complicated. 
  2.  Creating the grid to honor the depositional model can be very challenging.
  3.  Creating realistic facies models is laborious with today's technology. Facies models may need trend maps and/or training images.
  4.  The size of the grid cells leads to the loss of thin shale layers upscaled into larger cells.
  5. Pixel-based modeling cannot guarantee the continuity of flow barriers. Variogram-based models do not capture the natural spatial heterogeneity. All these can lead to an overstatement of permeability. 

Our method is rule-based, as defined in the geologic modeling continuum by Pyrcz et al. (2015). It includes all the techniques of other rule-based methods (object-based, surface-based, process-based) but focuses on controlling the depositional processes and objects per depositional environment. Another critical aspect is that our method is multi-scale. This allows the integration of basin information at the wells' scale.

How does it work?

Why?

Comparing with other modeling methods

Simple to use

Constrained Forward Stratigraphic Modeling

We replace the traditional correlation+facies modeling steps with a constrained, process-based, depositional process model to define realistic geobodies fitting the well's data. The body's boundaries will be the support for the reservoir grid geometry. Unlike the traditional workflow, the grid is built after the sedimentary modeling. This guarantees that the thin shale layers will be preserved in the grid geometry and/or topology. The modeled sedimentary body's intrinsic properties will provide trend information for interpolating or simulating rock properties. 

A revolutionary technology

For more information, please contact us or follow our research page. 

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What do we not need? We do not need variograms, complex parameters typically required by other processed-based systems (sediment input, diffusion coefficient, grain density, etc.), or detailed markers' correlation.


What do we need: the depositional environment and some of its geometrical constraints, the range of dimensions of the deposition bodies, the lithofacies interpretation (lithology & depositional setting, see SEPM definition), and the eustatic sea-level curve correlated to the parasequences (when applicable).