This Centre for Integrated Petroleum Research (CIPR) based project, where UNIS participate as a partner, called Fault Facies (FF), addresses a new 3D modelling concept that deals with the lack of realism in existing methods of representing faults in petroleum reservoir models.

The main aim is to provide a tool for predicting petrophysical properties and their spatial variability in sedimentary rock-volumes affected by fault zones by utilising existing modelling tools and modifications of these.

The ultimate goal is to employ FF as an integral part of future 3D modelling of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the oil industry. This will allow users to capture and predict the effect of faults and other tectonic features on hydrocarbon flow in three dimensions with significant higher accuracy and realism than is possible at present.

The final product of the project will provide researchers and oil companies with a sophisticated tool for evaluating fluid flow (including multi-phase) behaviour in tectonically deformed sedimentary rocks.

It has furthermore the potential of significantly improving the way faulted reservoirs are produced, as the effect of tectonic deformation of the reservoirs can be captured more accurately and taken into account when optimising depletion strategies.

More information
Contact Alvar Braathen, Professor in Structure Geology