Naturally Fractured Carbonates Reservoirs Characterization, Modeling, Simulation, and Development

12-16 October 2008
The Grand Rotana Resort & Spa
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Applications for this Forum are no longer being accepted.

Carbonate reservoirs contain vast amount of hydrocarbons in the Middle East and are among the most complex reservoirs to characterise, model, and manage. This complexity is due to the interplay of the matrix characteristics that can be highly heterogeneous in carbonates and the fracture network, an intricate geological feature on its own where fractures can be open or closed and can be organised in a diffuse and/or clustered arrangement. Associated uncertainties include the detection and characterisation of the fracture network in the well bore, our knowledge of fractures between wells, the fluid flow behavior within the fracture-porous system, and our ability to model such behaviors. Our target is to improve the tools, processes, and workflows that maximise our understanding and value from these reservoirs.

Will the recent advances in 3D seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation be the enablers in fracture modeling at field scale? Is the meticulous seismic attributes extraction from high resolution and high quality 3D seismic emerging as a key technology in fracture characterisation between wells? Detailed investigation around wells might be considerably improved with 3D walk-away Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP), inter-well tomography and micro-seismicity. Integration of these new types of geophysical data with core, log and production data in the framework of geomechanics will be one of the challenges of the coming years.

One of the key challenges will likely be the up-scaling of usually very large and detailed geologic models to flow models that are truly predictive. How do we efficiently integrate the key dynamic well tests and production data? What are the benefits of the Discrete Fracture Network approach and how do we address it? Will the improvement in workflows and computer power significantly reduce cycle time, an optimisation that is required to properly address uncertainties by evaluating a selection of scenarios and running the numerous realisations associated with probabilistic methods? What about the value of outcrops as analogues, how can we scale-in field observations? What are the effects of the induced fracturing during production and how can we accurately monitor and model this phenomenon?

Another key challenge will be controlling of production through fracture network and enhancing production of the matrix in order to maximise recovery. How do we place the well, intercepting the faults or parallel to them? What well completion technology can offer to control unwanted production? What injectant could be used to enhance recovery?

The forum will improve our understanding of fractures in carbonate reservoirs and provide focus on future technologies, well completion design that could potentially help in optimising reservoir management and improve recovery.

Who Should Attend

This forum is designed for individuals involved in the management of these reservoirs including reservoir engineers, structural geologists, geophysicists, geomechanics experts and software development interest groups.

Attendees Will...

Discuss common interests informally with colleagues from around the world.
Share knowledge and experience in off-the-record format.
Gain new insight and perspective through conversations with others from international companies, service companies, contractors, research institutes, and universities.
Come prepared to be a participant, not a spectator.
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of learning through one-on-one interaction.
Come prepared to be a participant, not a spectator.