Distinguished Lecture Series – 4D Seismic History Matching

SPE WA are proud to present the details of our November technical luncheon; This presentation will show how time-lapse or 4D seismic data can be used as an additional constraint to history match reservoir models in a 4D Seismic History Matching (4D SHM) workflow. 4D seismic provides an independently measured and spatially extensive dataset that complements the field’s production data.

It is sensitive to fluid saturation and pressure changes and provides information on the dynamic behavior of the reservoirs. It is also sensitive to the geological properties and informs the geological model too. 4D SHM is the process of developing reservoir models that are consistent with both the observed production data and the 4D seismic data. When 4D seismic data are available the reservoir model can be used to generate synthetic 4D data. Discrepancies between those two datasets are used to update the models and to attain a seismic history matched simulation model. A case study will be presented where 4D SHM was applied to the Harding and Gryphon fields in the North Sea. It was used to develop regional geological and simulation models for a major gas development project. The combination of geological knowledge, reservoir simulation and 4D SHM led to greater confidence in the final models. 4D SHM is an evolving technology, so the presentation will conclude with a discussion on the current status of the technology and some of its research and development directions.

Presenter – Paul Mitchell, TAQA Bratani Ltd

Paul Mitchell is the Discipline Lead for Geophysics at TAQA in the UK. He has broad ranging responsibilities and is a technical authority for geophysics within the company. Paul has thirty years of experience in exploration, development and production geophysics from around the world. He spent a number of years working in ExxonMobil’s Upstream Research Center in Houston specializing in seismic depth imaging, 3D volume interpretation and 4D seismic. He is currently working within a multi-disciplinary team developing subsurface models for a large gas development project in the North Sea. His current interests are in 4D seismic and its application to 4D Seismic History Matching and he has presented his work at numerous international conferences. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Southampton and a M.Sc. in Exploration Geophysics from Imperial College in London. He is the Founding President of the EAGE Local Chapter in Aberdeen and is Chair of the SPE Seismic 2018 conference.

Students (read below)!!!

SPE WA in conjunction with our sponsors tNavigator (Rock Flow Dynamics) and Expro Group, are kindly sponsoring students to attend the monthly technical luncheons. Please fill out an application form, explaining why you are interested in attending the SPE WA technical luncheons. Successful applicants will be notified via email. Note that applications will only be accepted up to one week prior to the event.