THREE-DIMENSIONAL GEOLOGICAL MODELLING IN THE KINGFISH AND WEST KINGFISH OIL FIELDS: THE METHOD AND APPLICATIONS

Abstract

RESMAP is an Exxon proprietary program that makes possible the building of three-dimensional geological models. The models consist of millions of tabular cells contained within a stratigraphic framework. The models are generated by the integration of log analysis, seismic interpretation and the geologist's well picks and interpretation.

RESMAP models are easy to access for generating structural and stratigraphic geological cross-sections. Maps such as structure, top of porosity and net sand percentage can be generated as well as subcrop and supercrop maps. Hydrocarbon-in-place estimates are also made from the model.

The Kingfish and West Kingfish fields each possess a complex stratigraphic framework and exhibit rapid facies changes in the nearshore marine sediments. Techniques available in RESMAP enable the integration of the well data and seismic maps to produce an accurate stratigraphic framework containing the geometries of truncation onlap and downlap. The interpolation of porosity data from the wells successfully captures the facies distribution. This is due to the excellent well spacing in the vicinity of the facies changes and the ability to place geological constraints on the interpolation.

The model provides a valuable communication tool for the mass of data present in a field. The model can also be updated quickly upon receipt of new data, providing a dynamic reservoir description on which to base future field management.