Fault Seal Analysis in Exploration and Development: Theory and Application

• Introduction to fault seal and trap analysis.

• Trap and fault geometry concepts and estimating closures and initial seal risk.

Exercise: Trap geometry and controls on hydrocarbon contacts.

• Methods and concepts on correctly characterizing faults and throw distributions. Theory and methods for evaluating correct fault linkages.

Exercise: Creating fault throw and separation maps.

• Fault zone architecture, mechanical stratigraphy and the influence on fault flow resistance.

• Fault population statistics.

Exercise: Plotting and deciphering fault population statistics.

• Review of fault rock types based on the undeformed host rock lithology.

• Basic principles of flow through porous media including permeability and threshold pressure.

Exercise: Estimating hydrocarbon gradients, capillary pressure and threshold pressure for reservoir and fault rock.

• Introduction to fault mapping.

Exercise: Generating juxtaposition Allan diagrams.

• Discussion on estimating sealing capacity from the threshold pressure for a range of fault rock types.

Exercise: Hydrocarbon column height exercise.

• Discussion of relative permeability impact on flow resistance across faults.

Exercise: Relative permeability exercise.

• Review of methods for estimating the clay distribution across a fault surface including clay smear factor, shale gouge ratio and effective shale gouge ratio.

• Discussion of techniques for calibrating relationships between fault rocks.

Exercise: Estimating the clay smear factor and shale gouge ratio along faults.

• Triangle diagrams for estimating fault seal.

Exercise: Triangle diagram

• Introduction to geomechanics for fault development and controls on slip.

Exercise: Critical stress Mohr-Coulomb exercise.

• Introduction to reservoir flow simulation and modeling fault flow resistance in development.

Exercise: Estimating flow resistance and transmissibility multipliers.

• Risking and uncertainty.

• Validation of methods and summary of course concepts