Giant Hydrocarbon Reservoirs of the World: From Rocks to Reservoir Characterization and Modeling

The SEPM/AAPG core workshop "Giant Hydrocarbon Reservoirs of the World: From Rocks to Reservoir Characterization and Modeling" and this companion publication are an attempt to assemble information on giant (>500 MOEB recoverable reserves) reservoirs that is of value to a wide audience. Various examples and methods of reservoir characterization, development, and modeling practices are documented in this volume. Although far from exhaustive, this compilation includes a wide range of reservoirs when examined from any perspective, i.e., location, geology, production history, and characterization. Figure 1 shows the geographic distribution of the reservoir examples that are included in this volume.

A good understanding of geologic variability in time and space is a prerequisite for any successful reservoir description. Geologic and engineering data obtained from core are fundamental building blocks in reservoir characterization. A common goal is to describe the reservoir in sufficient detail to identify remaining hydrocarbons and then to produce these reserves efficiently. To this end, a focus in this volume centers on aspects of geologic modeling as they relate to heterogeneity in facies, which typically controls variability in porosity, permeability, and fluid saturations.

It is our goal that the technical content of the chapters presented here result in discussion directed toward

•     fundamental concepts and methods of reservoir characterization, which include accurate representation of internal and external reservoir geology, precise and quantitative description, and level of detail that satisfies simulation capabilities

•     an understanding of the scales of rock heterogeneity and its effect on petrophysical and engineering properties and their relationships to fluid flow and hydrocarbon recovery

•     improved methods of reservoir description and development through application of high-resolution sequence and seismic stratigraphy and seismic visualization techniques

•     identifying alternative approaches to more effective reservoir management practices

The reservoir examples described in this volume (1) explore historical and alternative approaches to reservoir description, characterization, and management and (2) examine appropriate levels and timing of data gathering, technology applications, evaluation techniques, risk assessment, and management practices in various stages in the life of individual development projects.