New oil from old fields:

Impact of stratigraphy and

reservoir characterization
Mississippi delta GOM
Ganges Delta India

Sao Francisco
delta - GOM

Adeleye, Kolade
Earth Scientist,
Chevron Nigeria Limited

Images from Google EarthPro

Outline

Introduction

Why apply sequence stratigraphic techniques

Practical guidelines

Examples and results

Key concepts shared

Challenges, best practices and lesson learned

Conclusions

Acknowledgement

Introduction

Historically, many Nigerian fields have been characterized using lithostratigraphic

correlation (correlating lithologies)

Many reservoir architectures have been based on oversimplified facies models

(shoreface with progradational processes)

Field production difficulties have shown that a new approach is required

Look-back assessment and Chevron quality assurance processes have indicated

a better approach

We are game-changing from lithostratigraphy (lithology correlation) to sequence

stratigraphic (timeline correlation) correlation

Emphasis is also placed on understanding depositional environment and facies

association

Why Apply Stratigraphic Techniques?

We would like to:
Define a reservoir model that can clearly explain reservoir production

behavior and realistically assess asset value (volumes)

Define reservoir geometry, lateral continuity and petrophysical parameters .
Set the basis for better reservoir management and enhanced production
(secondary recovery)
Allows to identify new field development opportunities (re-exploration in
mature fields) with relative low risk opportunities
By using a litho framework these expectations cant be optimally met

Need to look for another way. High Resolution Sequence Stratigraphy is path
to be followed because it addresses the above challenges
4

Common Reservoir Management Challenges

Attributable to Stratigraphic Variability

Typical challenges
Differing fluid contacts
Water above oil
High water cut wells
By-passed oil

No water injection response

Anomalously high recovery factor

Typical explanations
Sub-seismic faults,

Hydrodynamic flow (tilting contacts)

Wellbore communication
Deviation survey issues
Reservoir juxtaposition and cross fault communication

All these are feasible explanations but they are not always the reasons
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From Lithostratigraphy To Sequence Stratigraphy

Lithostratigraphic
correlation:

Seq. Stratigraphic
correlation:

Sand/shale correlation

Timeline correlation

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Concepts*
Core
Biostratigraphy
Seismic
Well Logs
Production data
Outcrop / analogs

No new data, just better

organized and using
New concepts!

Seismic

Productn

Biostrat.

Strat.
Picks

Core

Log
stacking
pattern

The more the data that validate the stratigraphic pick

the more reliable the pick Data Integration

Key Geological Principles

Correlate using a chronostratigraphic framework

Walthers Law implications

Sands/reservoirs do NOT continue forever to stop only at faults
If facies vary much vertically (e.g. on well logs), then it will vary more
spatially

Facies which exist next to other vertically must do same laterally, except
at unconformities

Modern analogs for depositional environments mimics processes that were

active then are still happening now.

Stratigraphic successions show cyclicity and hence predictable trends and

organization.

Practical Guidelines
Used for Sequence Stratigraphical Analysis
Database Audit and Quality
Assurance
Establish the
Paleogeographic Setting

Data gathering and QC

Build suitable databases

Choose and interpret type wells (wells with the most hard data)
Infer regional depositional environment from biostrat, core, seismic, well log
Identify and interpret key stratigraphic surfaces

Subdivide the Stratigraphic

Succession through the
identification of MFS and SB

Define and interpret the first order sequences

Identify the overall stacking pattern
Carry out large scale correlation, field-wide

Depositional Facies Analysis

from Core Descriptions

Detailed core description descriptions (e.g. grain size) before interpretation (tide)
Interpret stratigraphic surfaces from core
Interpret depositional processes - traction, suspension, saltation, solution

Analyze Facies Stacking

Patterns and Identify
Systems Tracks as possible

From the type wells, extrapolate stratigraphic surfaces to un-cored wells

Identify key surfaces based on log staking pattern
Perform smaller scale correlations parasequence and flow units

Seismic stratigraphy and

geomorphology

Seismic interpretation of identified timelines

Seismic attributes generation surface and volume attributes
Tie seismic geometry and dimensions with well and core interpretation
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Outline

Introduction

Why apply sequence stratigraphic techniques

Practical guidelines

Examples and results

Key concepts shared

Challenges, best practices and lesson learned

Conclusions

Acknowledgement

Example 1: Reservoir Characterization for

Optimal Reservoir Pressure Management

Many of our fields are enjoying the peripheral water flood. For some of them
there would be a need to upgrade to the pattern waterflooding.

We can not successfully do this until we understand the level of stratigraphic

complexity we are dealing with for each field and reservoir in question. This is
we seek to resolve in this case.

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Example 1: The Challenge

Original model assumes connectivity to updip wells
from injector Shoreface models

Pressure plots doesnt show injection response at

updip wells

Start of
injection

Wells further away from OWC are making high water cut while those closer to
the OWC are making less water

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Log Types, Stratal Patterns, Depositional

Systems/Facies
Fields overall stacking pattern

Detailed depositional systems of Reservoir of interest

Stratal Patterns
Open marine Shelf
(Offlaping sequence)

agradationalional

C-O2 Top
Offlappingagradationalional

Progradational

Channel/lobe
complex??

offlapping
Upper slope
Channel/lobe
complex??

C-O2 sequence D-O1 sequence

Progradational Retrogradational

C-O2 Top

onlapping

(Onlapping sequence)

Channel fill
Erosional boundary

Type well
12

Example 1: The Solution

13

Updated Model: Good history match

Static Model: Porosity Distribution showing heterogeneity

Dynamic simulation: Oil rate, Very good history match

Dynamic simulation: Water cut, good match

Dynamic simulation: Gas rate

14

Example 1: Conclusions

Reservoirs were thought to be homogenous and highly connected shoreface

deposits

Sequence stratigraphic techniques have shown that the reservoir was

deposited on the lower shoreface to shelf edge environments

Several erosive (mud filled) channels cut through the field during and after the
deposition of the reservoirs, eroding and creating baffles within lower
shoreface reservoirs.

New stratigraphic model agrees with the production data

Example 2: Robust Characterization for Optimal

Development Plan

Field was compartmentalized only by fault and some seismically prominent

canyons

Where faults were not visible on seismic and there is an evidence of

compartments due to OWC, it was attributed to sub-seismic fault.

Field needs appropriate level of characterization for optimal water injection

16

Previous Understanding of Compartments

Coherency cube revealing discontinuities

Extended
fault
Tip of fault as
revealed by edge
cube

Paleo-canyon at
shelf break

17

Seismic Discontinuity Reveals stratigraphic

Features

18

New Understanding of Compartments

Compartment I
Meso tidal coast, tidal
channels, sand ridges
ODT: 4545,
HKW: 4589,
COWC: 4539

Compartment II
Incised valley -Tidal
sand ridge fill
ODT: 4517
4526 (seismic)

Canyon

Alt1

ODT -4545

ODT 4517

Alt2

OWC -4632

Compartment III
Wave-dominated
shoreface, tidal
channels
OWC: 4632
OWC -4710

Compartment IV
Area of erosion and
non-deposition
lower/middle Shoreface
OWC: 4710

Well logs, Cores and Analog validate

Compartments
Incised valley fill (IVF)
Meso tidalcoast

Wave-dominated micro-tidal coast

IVF

IVF

Analog Bengal bay

3 Km

Reservoir-scale Stratigraphic Correlation

Stratigraphic Variability and Compartmentalization

Incised Valley with Multistorey Fill (Main Channel + Shallow Tidal Channels)

Datum

IVF

Tidal

Shoreface
Shelf
Comp IV

Comp I
IVF: Incised Valley Fill

Comp II
A

Comp III
A

Isochore Thickness Map

Gross Thickness
A05 Reservoir

Isochore Thickness Map

Gross Thickness
Estuarine Incised Valley Fill

NOTE:
Depocenter at Blocks 3 & 10

Fault Scarp

Shelf Edge

Low-amplitude fairway
(Fluvial fairway?
Incised valley?)

Amplitude field represents fluid effect limits not

indicative of lithologic pinchouts

Mid:14-24

New Understanding of Compartments

Compartment I
Meso tidal coast, tidal
channels, sand ridges
ODT: 4545,
HKW: 4589,
COWC: 4539

Compartment II
Incised valley -Tidal
sand ridge fill
ODT: 4517
4526 (seismic)

Canyon

Alt1

ODT -4545

ODT 4517

Alt2

OWC -4632

Compartment III
Wave-dominated
shoreface, tidal
channels
OWC: 4632
OWC -4710

Compartment IV
Area of erosion and
non-deposition
lower/middle Shoreface
OWC: 4710

Reservoir Now Defined by Combination Trap:

Faults and Paleo-canyon

Paleo-canyon
at shelf break

24

Updated model: Good History match

Static Model: Porosity Distribution showing heterogeneity

Dynamic simulation: Oil rate, Very good history match

Dynamic simulation: Water cut, good match

Dynamic simulation: Gas rate

25

Stratigraphic Features are not always flow

barriers!

Barrier to flow

Not only faults compartmentalize reservoir

Not only vertical barriers exist

Baffle to flow
Partial compartments Stratigraphic boundary allows partial fluid and
pressure communication
Most times reveal itself under dynamic conditions

Permeability heterogeneity
Determine preferential fluid flow path,
water injected flushes high perm zone, water outrunning oil
Might have water above oil
Understanding and incorporating this heterogeneity in models will help to
identify thief zones, better plan optimal injection rate and avoid injection
water cycling

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Example 2: Conclusions

Now we have a more robust model with a better understanding of

compartments and reservoir heterogeneity

Characterization has been done and successfully history matched

Reservoirs ready for infill drilling

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Outline

Introduction

Why apply sequence stratigraphic techniques?

Practical guidelines

Examples and results

Key concepts shared

Challenges, best practices and lesson learned

Conclusions

Acknowledgement

28

Challenges

Scarcity of core data for some of the fields.

Unwillingness to revise existing lithostratigraphic interpretation due to the

impact on existing models and assumptions.

Organization capability: training and mentoring require a lot of time

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Lessons Learned

Complexity and heterogeneity of reservoirs becomes more relevant in mature

fields since sweep efficiency needs to be captured properly for secondary and
tertiary recoveries.

Avoid lithostratigraphic correlations, since it prevents to elucidate the true

nature of the reservoir architecture and lateral variability. Always, apply
sequence and stratigraphic concepts.

Do not assume that layer cake stratigraphy is the norm, on the contrary is the
less common case in marine clastic depositional systems

Reservoir models need to combine rock types and depositional facies reservoir
quality through proper characterization.

Before building a 3D model, spend time analyzing all the available data
including stratigraphic interpretations. Basic architecture of the model is heavily
impacted by the stratigraphic interpretation.
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Best Practices

Always conduct sequence stratigraphic correlation.

Spend time building proper integrated databases for core and petrophysical
well logs and rigorous QC of the data

Integrate as much as possible all data available, especially seismic, core and
well log information.

Always produce QC maps during the correlation process, including structure,

isopachs (be suspicious of random thickening and thinning), net sand and net
to gross maps.

Let the combination of stratigraphic concepts with stochastic modeling guide

the connectivity of the geocellular model, instead of forcing vertical barriers.

Explore stratigraphic compartmentalization when fluid contacts appear

inconsistent within a presumed reservoir.
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Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the management of Chevron Nigeria Limited / NNPC joint

venture for giving me this golden opportunity to showcase some of the
improvements we are making in sequence stratigraphy.

And to NAPE for making available this platform for knowledge sharing

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Q&A

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