Abstract
This paper presents innovative techniques & workflows in structural volume interpretation that have been developed to reliably visualize faults and fractures at extremely high resolution from 3-D seismic data, and to subsequently integrate these results with other seismic, well and mine data to derive fully calibrated and deterministic fault/fracture network volumes for resources.
Examples from Oil & Gas, Mining and Geothermal projects around the world demonstrate that these new techniques can provide a step-change in understanding drilling, production and safety issues in existing wells or mines. Furthermore, they can be utilised to optimise future resource activities and recoveries, and increase the safety of future operations.
A new Improved Resource Recovery technique has been developed that increases recovery from both conventional and unconventional reservoirs, as well as geothermal or mining resources.
A new Well & Mine Screening & Planning technique has been developed that reduces drilling & mining risks and costs and optimises well & mine placements within the resource area.
Results obtained through these techniques provide a step-change in understanding drilling and production problems in compartmentalized, fractured, unconventional and structurally complex resources, where fractures in the subsurface can form fluid barriers or fluid conduits.
Studies performed over a number of unconventional reservoirs (shale gas, tight gas/oil, fractured basements and coal seam gas) from around the world demonstrate that productive sweet spots in the subsurface can now be reliably located and directly targeted.
A focused application of the new technology workflows can deliver increased recoveries from resources. It can also result in safer, cheaper and more successful drilling and mining operations. As such, these workflows are proposed as Best Practice methods for resource development planning and execution.
