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Archive » Abstracts » Search	*2004/ 2005 SEASON* **STAVANGER MAY MEETING Venue: Rica Forum Hotel, Stavanger Ullandhaug Meeting Room Date: Wednesday, 4th May, 2005 Time: 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided at 12:00** New technique for predicting turbidite reservoir distribution and quality in zones of poor seismic resolution; integrating quantitative sediment modeling with 3D structural restoration by N. Jaffey (1), D. Waltham (2), B. Robertson (3), D. Hodge (1), Sherilyn Williams-Stroud (presenter) (1) 1. Midland Valley Exploration Ltd., 14 Park Circus, Glasgow, G3 6AX, UK. Tel: 0044 141 3322681, Fax: 0044 141 3326792 2. Royal Holloway University of London, Department of Geology, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK 3. Noble Energy (Europe) Ltd., Suffolk House, 154 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1XE, UK Abstract Predicting sand distribution, thickness, grain size and sorting in zones of poor seismic definition, or where beds have been highly deformed is a key objective of exploration geoscientists working in turbidite plays. Numerical modeling of turbidite flow has previously been used to model these characteristics, but this has been restricted to using simplistic or present-day seafloor geometries. This paper describes how 3D palinspastic restoration and numerical modelling of turbidite flow have been combined to quantitatively predict reservoir thickness, distribution, grain size and sorting. A case study from the UK North Sea is used, where lack of acoustic impedance contrast has rendered seismic attributes problematic in mapping the extent of late Jurassic turbidite sands. The objective in this prospect is to determine the most likely sediment entry direction, and model the distribution and characteristics of the reservoir. A 3D palinspastic restoration gives a prediction of the seafloor bathymetry at the time of reservoir deposition. This surface is input into a numerical turbidite modeling program. Modeling results were tested by comparing with reservoir observations from four wells and a good match was found. The combination of 3D structural restoration and quantitative turbidite flow modeling has proved powerful in predicting turbidite reservoir characteristics. These predictions can be used to define new prospects in areas where seismic attributes are problematic or non-existant. Sherilyn Williams-Stroud, CV Sherilyn is a structural geologist with eighteen years of professional experience in geology, including experience in government and academic organizations, with eight years experience specifically in the petroleum industry. Her expertise lies in the areas of fracture characterization from borehole image logs and in producing models of fracture networks using strain analysis from structural restorations, and stress analysis using borehole image data. She has provided technical expertise in support of oil and gas exploration and development projects world-wide in the areas of top seal and fault seal. She has industry-related structural project experience from both the Middle East, North and South America, Southern and Western Africa, China, and Kazakhstan. She has authored and co-authored a number of publications. Background 2005 – present Structural Geologist, Midland Valley Exploration 2004 – 2005 Irviine Fellow, Whittier College, Whittier, California, USA 1998 – 2004 Sr. Research Scientist, ChevronTexaco Energy Technology Company 2000 – 2002 Adjunct Faculty, University of Houston Downtown, Houston, Texas 1988 – 1998 Research Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA 1988 PhD, Structural Geology, The Johns Hopkins University 1984 M.A., Structural Geology, The Johns Hopkins University 1981 B.A. Geology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, USA

Abstract

Predicting sand distribution, thickness, grain size and sorting in zones of poor seismic definition, or where beds have been highly deformed is a key objective of exploration geoscientists working in turbidite plays. Numerical modeling of turbidite flow has previously been used to model these characteristics, but this has been restricted to using simplistic or present-day seafloor geometries.

This paper describes how 3D palinspastic restoration and numerical modelling of turbidite flow have been combined to quantitatively predict reservoir thickness, distribution, grain size and sorting.

A case study from the UK North Sea is used, where lack of acoustic impedance contrast has rendered seismic attributes problematic in mapping the extent of late Jurassic turbidite sands. The objective in this prospect is to determine the most likely sediment entry direction, and model the distribution and characteristics of the reservoir.

A 3D palinspastic restoration gives a prediction of the seafloor bathymetry at the time of reservoir deposition. This surface is input into a numerical turbidite modeling program. Modeling results were tested by comparing with reservoir observations from four wells and a good match was found.

The combination of 3D structural restoration and quantitative turbidite flow modeling has proved powerful in predicting turbidite reservoir characteristics. These predictions can be used to define new prospects in areas where seismic attributes are problematic or non-existant.

Sherilyn Williams-Stroud, CV

Sherilyn is a structural geologist with eighteen years of professional experience in geology, including experience in government and academic organizations, with eight years experience specifically in the petroleum industry. Her expertise lies in the areas of fracture characterization from borehole image logs and in producing models of fracture networks using strain analysis from structural restorations, and stress analysis using borehole image data. She has provided technical expertise in support of oil and gas exploration and development projects world-wide in the areas of top seal and fault seal. She has industry-related structural project experience from both the Middle East, North and South America, Southern and Western Africa, China, and Kazakhstan. She has authored and co-authored a number of publications.

Background

2005 – present Structural Geologist, Midland Valley Exploration

2004 – 2005 Irviine Fellow, Whittier College, Whittier, California, USA

1998 – 2004 Sr. Research Scientist, ChevronTexaco Energy Technology Company

2000 – 2002 Adjunct Faculty, University of Houston Downtown, Houston, Texas

1988 – 1998 Research Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado, USA

1988 PhD, Structural Geology, The Johns Hopkins University

1984 M.A., Structural Geology, The Johns Hopkins University

1981 B.A. Geology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, USA