History Matching Using Time-lapse Seismic Data

Time-lapse analysis and interpretation

Interpretations of reservoir pressure, saturation, and fluid contacts from time-lapse seismic data contribute to production enhancement by optimizing well placement and by improving production and injection operations. In addition time-lapse seismic data and their interpretations may also be used to constrain production history matching and enhance reservoir simulations.

The process begins with a static reservoir model, time-lapse seismic data (abbreviated as 4D in the flow chart), and production data from wells. The history-matching refinement cycle minimizes the mismatch between seismic data, the dynamic reservoir model, and other measured and modeled changes using ECLIPSE SimOpt model calibration software and  ECLIPSE reservoir simulation software. Like reservoir simulation, history matching with time-lapse seismic data is a time-consuming process that requires clusters of computers, so careful constraints are necessary to avoid excessive iterations. Well logs undergo petrophysical evaluation, editing, and calibration against seismic data. Seismic horizons must be mapped in the baseline and repeat surveys, and both sets of seismic data must undergo inversion. The inverted seismic datasets are converted from seismic traveltime to depth.

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