3D STOCHASTIC RESERVOIR MODELLING AND FIELD DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Abstract

3D stochastic reservoir modelling is an emerging new technology for the oil and gas industry and is increasingly used by oil and gas companies as a tool to support major business decisions in field development planning, and the acquisition and management of petroleum assets. However, the potential benefit that 3D stochastic reservoir modelling can offer is still overlooked by many asset teams. Conventional methods are often still applied for field development planning and reserve estimation, where over-simplified geological models are used and reservoir uncertainties are substantially under-estimated. This is one reason why the oil and gas industry does not have a good track record in estimating reserves and field development planning.

3D stochastic reservoir modelling methods that incorporate the structural-stratigraphic framework, facies and petrophyscial properties can ensure that the reservoir models fully describe reservoir heterogeneity. This in turn lays a sound foundation for field development planning. The 3D stochastic reservoir modelling methods also quantify and reduce uncertainties in various aspects of the reservoir. This allows a field development plan to be more robust yet flexible enough to take the advantage of upside reserve potential and to be economically sound if the downside case occurs. Based on quantification of uncertainties, optimal well positions and well paths can be designed to maximise oil and gas recovery.