Towards an Integrated Workflow for Structural Reservoir Model Updating and History Matching

Abstract

Abstract A history matching workflow, as typically used for updating of petrophysical reservoir model properties, is modified to include structural parameters including the top reservoir and several fault properties: position, slope, throw and transmissibility. A simple 2D synthetic oil reservoir produced by waterflooding is used to demonstrate issues related to observability and identifiability of structural uncertainties. A series of history matching experiments are performed that demonstrate the potential for estimation of uncertain structural parameter values. The experiments are performed with ensemble-based assisted history matching schemes that allow for the proper characterization of prior uncertainties, and in principle enable the updating of both model parameters and the dynamic states such as pressures and saturations. The results show that the approach works well when individual structural parameters are estimated and suggest further scope for building a fully integrated workflow that includes the improved construction of geo-models into the history matching loop.