Geologic Analysis of Naturally
Fractured Reservoirs
2nd Edition, R.A. Nelson (2001)
Gulf Professional Publishing
a subsidiary of
Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston, MA
Geologic Analysis of Naturally
Fractured Reservoirs
2nd Edition, R.A. Nelson (2001)
The following contains renditions of the
figures included within the book as well as
additional figures used by the author to
teach industry courses on the subject.
Also included is Appendix D of the book.
Ronald A. Nelson
Discipline
Structural Geology & Rock
Mechanics
Location
BP Amoco, Upstream Technology,
Geology Team, Houston
History
26 years with BP Amoco as
Specialist & Manager
Education
BS (Northern Illinois), MS, PhD
(Texas A&M) all in Geology
Skills
Fractured Reservoirs, Technology
Management, Peer Assists,
Recruiting, Structural
Interpretation
in Thrust Belts and Rifts
Publications
75 citations; including a textbook
Geologic Analysis of Naturally
Fractured Reservoirs eds. 1&2.
Liesegang
Banding in
Aztec Ss,
Nevada
Work Builds On:
Nelson, R. A., 1985, Geological Analysis of
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs: Contributions in
Petroleum Geology & Engineering, Gulf
Publishing Co., Houston, TX, 320 p.
Material presented in the AAPG Fractured
Reservoir Analysis School, 1984-1996.
Courtesy of Gulf Professional
Publishing, Boston
General Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Introduction
Fracture Origin
Fracture Morphology
Fracture Porosity
Fracture Permeability
F/M Interaction
Fracture Intensity
Intensity Prediction
9. Orientations
10. Reservoir Types
11. Well Directions
12. Simulation
13. Fracture Reservoir
Production
14. Reservoir Screening
15. Summary
(Field Examples)
Reasons Why We Look at
Natural Fractures
Delineate Structure
Determine Mode & Path of Deformation
Define Mechanics of Fracture
Determine Paleo-stress Directions
Determine Velocity Anisotropy
Determine Mechanical Anisotropy
Predict Reservoir Properties & Potential
Total Integration Includes:
Fracture system characterization
Stratigraphic interpretation & modeling
Structural geology
Petrophysics
Seismic mapping & attribute analysis
Well testing, inc. production logs
Production history matching
Reservoir engineering, inc. dual porosity flow behavior
Fracture scaling and reservoir simulation
Drilling and completion technology
Modeling in Fractured Reservoirs SPE Forum, Sept. 200
Experience & Analogs
Static Description
Dynamic Description
Static Conceptual
Model
Dynamic Conceptual
Model
Pressure
Derivative
Data considered: Outcrops
Hansen
Subsurface
Outcrop
Wellbore
Geophysics
bedding contained joints
-type, orientations, spacing
non bedding contained joints
-type + orientation + forelimb/ backlimb
joint zones
-type + orientation + forelimb/ backlimb
faults
-type +orientation + forelimb/ backlimb
normal
reverse
strike slip
thrusts
dominant fracture direction
Oil
Water
no increase of fractures at hinge
faults near hinge?
Peng
Statistical & Geomechanical
Upscaling
Representation
Discrete Model
Pressure
Nelson
Pressure
Temperature
Fluid Types
Energy
Peng
Well Test Data &
Well Histories
Continuous Model
Full Static &
Dynamic Simulation
Simulation
Model
Rawnsley
Sanction, Recovery Planning, Flood Design, etc.
Fundamental Approach
after Nelson (1985)
Determine fracture system origin(s) in 3-d
Allows for predictability away from wellbore
Tectonic, regional, cleat, diagenetic, sequence
Determine reservoir properties & var. in 3-d
Quantifies porosity, permeability, etc.
Morphology, width, spacing/intensity, stress affects
Fracture/matrix communication
Linkage in dual porosity system
Cross flow, connectivity, recovery
Fundamental Approach (cont.)
Determine reservoir type
Defines relative contribution of fractures and
problems
Simulation, production character, management
Locate optimum drill locations & well paths
Quantifies sweet spots & maximizes wellbore
surface
Intensity, azimuth, directional drilling, seismic attributes
Develop reservoir management strategies
Control the reservoir to efficiently balance rate &
recovery and reduce well costs
Fracture closure, well patterns, sweep
Recent Advancement Areas
Log Characterization
Spacing Estimates
Fracture Zone Identification
Reservoir Simulation
Azimuth Predictions
Reservoir Analogs
Effects of Fracture and Diagenetic
History
Impacts on Fractured Reservoir Studies
Simplified E&P Process in Fractured Reservoirs
Experience
Learnings from
BP, Amoco, &
Industry
Base-case learnings
from other fields and
analogues that give guidance
to current evaluations and
planning
Input Data
(Static & Dynamic)
Outcrop
Lab
Subsurface
Obtaining appropriate
quality input data to
characterize fractured
reservoirs
Business Model
& Decision
Cross Project
Issues
Models
(Static & Dynamic)
Improved Modeling Tools &
Procedures
Obtaining fast &
accurate modeling
routines & procedures
to predict fractured
reservoir performance
Appropriate & cost-effective
drilling & completion techniques in
fractured reservoirs
Fracture
A macroscopic planar discontinuity in rock
which is interpreted to be due to
deformation or physical diagenesis
It may be due to compactive or dilatent
processes, thus having either a positive or
negative effect on fluid flow
Its characteristics may have been modified
by subsequent deformation or diagenesis
Fractured Reservoir
Any reservoir in which naturally occurring
fractures have, or are predicted to have, a
significant effect of flow rates, anisotropy,
recovery, or storage.
Avoid
Fracture Denial
Fracture Denial
Keeps Us From:
Gathering important static data early
Optimizing our well locations & paths
Designing our secondary recovery patterns
correctly
Accurately predicting field rates & recovery
Economically depleting our field
