PetroMod

PETROLEUM SYSTEMS MODELING SOFTWARE

PetroMod 2016
Version 2016.2

Facies Refinement Tool

Reference Guide
*Mark of Schlumberger
Copyright © 2016 Schlumberger All rights reserved. 16-IS-147746
Copyright © 2016 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.
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to identify the products and services described herein are either
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names are the properties of their respective owners.

PetroMod ®, Petrel ®, and Eclipse ® are marks of Schlumberger.

An asterisk (*) is used throughout this document to designate a mark of
Schlumberger.

Security Notice
The software described herein is configured to operate with at least the
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be limiting to configurations that may be used to operate the software.
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4 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016
Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

1.1. Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Who should use this software? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2. Facies Refinement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2.1. When to use the Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.2. Before Using the Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Exporting depth maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Defining extra facies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Preparing seismic data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.3. The Facies Refinement Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Configure the volume data source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Value to facies mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Layer assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.4. Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Invasion percolation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Upscaled facies assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.5. Simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.6. Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Appendix: Help and Support Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Submit a support request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Additional help information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Contents
6 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016
 1. Introduction

In this chapter

1.1. Software ................................................................................................ 8

Who should use this software?............................................................. 8

Introduction 7
Software

1.1. Software
PetroMod petroleum systems modeling software combines seismic, well, and
geological information to model the evolution of a sedimentary basin. PetroMod
software will predict if, and how, a reservoir has been charged with hydrocarbons,
including the source and timing of hydrocarbon generation, migration routes,
quantities, and hydrocarbon type in the subsurface or at surface conditions.
The Facies Refinement Tool is a feature of the 2D/3D Simulator which makes
it possible to directly incorporate high-resolution facies distributions based on
seismic data into a model containing lithology information. This is especially useful
for highly detailed reservoir characterization, for example, and can be applied to
PetroMod 3D and 2D models.

Who should use Specialist basin and petroleum system modelers whose responsibilities range from
this software? petroleum resource assessments on a regional scale, to petroleum charge risk
assessments on a play or prospect scale.

8 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 2. Facies Refinement

In this chapter

2.1. When to use the Tool .............................................................................10

2.2. Before Using the Tool .............................................................................11
Exporting depth maps ........................................................................11
Defining extra facies ..........................................................................12
Preparing seismic data .......................................................................12
2.3. The Facies Refinement Tool ....................................................................13
Configure the volume data source .......................................................14
Value to facies mapping .....................................................................15
Layer assignment...............................................................................16
2.4. Applications...........................................................................................18
Invasion percolation ...........................................................................18
Upscaled facies assignment ................................................................18
2.5. Simulation.............................................................................................20
2.6. Output ..................................................................................................22

Facies Refinement 9
When to use the Tool

2.1. When to use the Tool

The Facies Refinement Tool can be used whenever detailed, seismic-based facies
information needs to be assigned to layers. There are three main scenarios:

Scenario 1
Starting with a map containing lithology information (or a suitable proxy), you can
generate groups of values and assign (map) particular facies to these groups. Each
facies corresponds to a certain lithology and represents the petrophysical properties
of the rock.

Scenario 2
Starting with a SEG-Y cube in depth, you define a volume in the cube by exporting
top and base maps (depth maps) from the corresponding PetroMod 3D model. The
values in the defined SEG-Y volume can be sorted into groups and mapped to pre-
defined facies.

Scenario 3
The third scenario involves SEG-Y cubes in time. In this case, the geometry of the
exported maps is not identical to the geometry of the layer in the 3D PetroMod
model. Everything else, however, is handled in an identical way. The selected volume
from the SEG-Y time cube needs to be connected to the corresponding layer in a 3D
PetroMod model. This is done by assigning the exported time maps to the
corresponding layers in the 3D input model. The petrophyscial values in the seismic
volume can be divided into groups and mapped to pre-defined facies.

This reference guide covers an example from Scenario 2.

10 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 Before Using the Tool

2.2. Before Using the Tool

The Facies Refinement Tool is accessed via the 2D/3D Simulator interface, but
before opening the tool you must perform some preliminary steps.

Exporting depth The Facies Refinement Tool uses reference horizons to vertically locate the
maps seismic data values in a seismic cube. The reference horizons define the top and
base horizons of the target layer(s) to which facies refinement will be applied (Fig.
2-1).

Top horizon

Target Layer

Base
horizon

Fig. 2-1 Reference horizons define the target layer in the seismic cube.

In PetroMod, the reference horizons are stored as depth maps. Before using the
tool, make sure the depth maps are in the map folder of the PetroMod project
directory. If they are not present, export them from the 3D PetroMod model.
1 On the Menu bar of PetroBuilder 3D, click File > Export > Depth Maps...
2 The Export dialog will open (Fig. 2-2).
• Select the directory to export the maps to (by default the /data/map
directory of the current project).
• Choose the export file type. You can use any of the map types listed in the
Export dialog.
• Choose the depth maps to export by selecting them in the Select box on the
left and moving them to the Export Data box on the right (use the arrows
to move the maps). In Fig. 2-2, for example, two maps have been selected
for exporting. Since depth maps define the base of a layer, the top horizon of
the target layer is the depth map of the layer directly above.
• Click OK to export the maps.

Facies Refinement 11
Defining extra facies

Fig. 2-2 Exporting depth maps from PetroBuilder 3D.

Defining extra In addition, you need to define extra facies for exclusive use with the Facies
facies Refinement Tool. For example, if the seismic data indicates sand/shale ratios, you
must define new facies within a certain shale/sand range, such as, for example,
100% sandstone, 75% sandstone 25% shale, 50% sandstone 50% shale, etc.
1 Define the lithologies using the Lithology Editor (please refer to the Lithology
Editor User Guide for more information).
2 Create the new facies with the newly defined lithology. Open the Facies
Definition table in PetroBuilder 3D. Create rows for the new facies and
enter the corresponding lithologies in the Lithology Value column. Save your
changes (please refer to the PetroBuilder 3D User Guide for more information
on the Facies Definition table).

Preparing seismic Seismic data or map data are needed to perform the facies refinement. When using
data a seismic cube, the maximum resolution of the facies refinement depends on the
resolution of the SEG-Y file. Keep in mind that large volumes (larger file sizes) will
load slowly and therefore increase simulation time.
Make sure the seismic cube is located in the data/seismic folder of the project
directory because the Facies Refinement Tool automatically looks for the seismic
cube in this folder. Place seismic data maps in the data/map folder.

12 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 The Facies Refinement Tool

2.3. The Facies Refinement Tool

After performing the preparatory steps in 2.2. Before Using the Tool, you are ready
to use the Facies Refinement Tool.
1 Open the Simulator and open your model.
2 Select the Facies Refinement Tool checkbox on the Simulation Options
pane (Fig. 2-3).

Fig. 2-3 Opening the Facies Refinement Tool.

3 The Facies Refinement Dialog will open as shown in Fig. 2-4.

Fig. 2-4 The Facies Refinement dialog when opened for the first time.

Facies Refinement 13
Configure the volume data source

Three parameters need to be configured in the dialog:

1 The Volume Data Source
2 The Value-to-Facies Mapping
3 The Layer Assignment
The following subsections explain how to configure these parameters.

Configure the 1 Click in the Volume drop-down menu and select New Volume (Fig. 2-5).
volume data source

Fig. 2-5 Creating a new volume data source.

2 The Volume dialog will appear. A volume data source consists of two things - a
seismic cube and the matching reference horizons (depth maps) from the
PetroMod 3D model. First select the seismic cube as shown in Fig. 2-6 (it has
to be a SEG-Y file). Only files located in the project folder under data/seismic
are available, so be sure the seismic cube has been saved to this location.

Fig. 2-6 Selecting the Seismic Cube.

3 Now specify the reference horizons. These are the depth maps that were
exported from the 3D PetroMod model in Exporting depth maps. The
simulator uses the depth maps to vertically locate the seismic data values in the
seismic cube. Fig. 2-7 defines the reference horizons for a target layer called
“Target_Layer”.
Row 1 defines the reference horizon for the top of target layer. Keep in mind
that the reference horizon for the top of a target layer is the base map of the
layer directly above. The Layer column therefore contains the layer directly
above the target layer and the Base Map column contains the corresponding
base map.
Row 2 defines the reference horizon for the base of the target layer: The Layer
column contains the target layer and the Base Map column contains the
corresponding base map.

14 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 Value to facies mapping

Fig. 2-7 Defining the reference horizons for a target layer.

• To add a layer, double-click in a cell in the Layer column and select a layer from
the drop down list.
• Select the corresponding base map from the drop down list in the Base Map
column (The drop down list contains the base maps you exported in Exporting
depth maps).

Value to facies The Simulator needs to know which values in the seismic cube correspond to
mapping which facies in the PetroMod model. This is achieved via “Value to Facies Mapping”.
1 Go back to the Facies Refinement Dialog. You will see the drop-down box
for Value-to-Facies Mapping. Select New Mapping. A mapping window will
appear with the columns Value From, Value To, and Facies (Fig. 2-8).

Fig. 2-8 Creating a new Value to Facies Mapping.

2 For each of the facies you defined in the Facies Definition table in PetroBuilder
3D, fill in the appropriate range of seismic values (appropriate = according to

Facies Refinement 15
Layer assignment

your interpretation of the values and their correlation to the different facies
types).
• Click in the Facies column and select a facies from the drop down list.
• Fill in the Value To column (The Value From column updates automatically).
In Fig. 2-9, for example, the first row maps seismic values up to 0.5 to a facies
called SFR_100sh000sst; the second row maps values from 0.5 to 1 to a facies
called SFR075sh025sst and so on.

Fig. 2-9 Value to Facies Mapping window with value ranges entered for the facies created
in PetroBuilder 3D.

3 Click the Save button on the Toolbar of the Facies Refinement dialog to
save the mapping. This ensures the mapping is saved when you close the
dialog. The next time you open the dialog it will available in the Values-to-
Facies Mapping scroll box as shown in Fig. 2-10.

Fig. 2-10 A saved mapping can be re-opened in a later session.

Layer assignment After Value to Facies Mapping, enter the Layer, Data Source and Value-to-
Facies Map in the main Layer Assignment dialog.
1 Double-click in a cell and select an item from the drop down box. In Fig. 2-11,
for example, facies refinement will be applied to a layer called Target_Layer
using the values in the mdlvw.segy(1) seismic volume and the mapping defined
in Mapping_1.

• • • • • •
Note: When selecting the data source, you will see a list of maps in addition to the
seismic volume you have just defined. Maps can also be used as data
sources as described in Scenario 1 in section 2.1. When to use the Tool.
16 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016
 Layer assignment

Fig. 2-11 Layer assignment.

2 Click the Save button and close the Facies Refinement dialog.

Facies Refinement 17
Applications

2.4. Applications
There are two ways to apply facies refinement to a model:
• Invasion Percolation
• Upscaled Facies Assignment
Each option is described below.

Invasion When a model is simulated with invasion percolation (IP), the finite element cells in
percolation the model are divided up into smaller IP cells (for example, one finite element might
be divided into 3x3x3 IP cells). These IP cells all assume the facies properties from
their parent finite element. So, if a finite element is divided into 3x3x3 = 27 IP cells,
all 27 of these will assume the same facies.
Finite Element IP Cells

Fig. 2-12 Without facies refinement, all the IP cells have the same facies.

When the model is simulated with facies refinement in a particular layer, the IP cells
in that layer take their facies not from the finite element but from the corresponding
seismic values and value-to-facies mapping. Each cell can therefore have a different
facies, making Invasion Percolation much more detailed and accurate when used in
combination with facies refinement (Fig. 2-13).

Finite Element IP Cells

Fig. 2-13 IP simulation with facies refinement. Each cell can have a different facies.

Upscaled facies Activate this option by selecting the Upscaled Facies Assignment checkbox on
assignment the Simulation Options pane (Fig. 2-14).

18 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 Upscaled facies assignment

Fig. 2-14 Activating Upscaled Facies Assignment.

The seismic-based refined facies is determined at several sample points within each
element (Fig. 2-15). The most common seismic-based facies from these sample
points is then assigned to the element. This is done for all elements within the target
layer. The entire layer (within the seismic cube) thus contains facies assigned
consistently with the seismic volume.

Sample points

Fig. 2-15 Sample points within an element.

Facies Refinement 19
Simulation

2.5. Simulation
Make sure the Facies Refinement Tool checkbox is selected on the Simulation
Options pane.

Fig. 2-16 Make sure Facies Refinement Tool is selected.

When the seismic data is loaded into the simulator at the beginning of the run, it is
upscaled, if necessary, in order to put an upper limit on the amount of memory that
will be used. By default, the seismic resolution is capped at 100 meters horizontally
and 50 meters vertically. A cube is created internally with this resolution (or coarser
if the input data is coarser) and all the seismic samples falling within each cell of this
cube are averaged together. If a greater resolution is desired (e.g. if invasion
percolation is selected and the IP cells are smaller than 100 meters horizontally),
you can change the resolution using the special option “Osegydx”. Entering
“Osegydx 50. 50. 25.”, for example, will cap the resolution at 50 meters in X and Y,
and 25 meters vertically (Fig. 2-17). This increases the amount of memory required
by the simulator.

20 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 Simulation

Fig. 2-17 Entering a special option in the Simulator.

Facies Refinement 21
Output

2.6. Output
The effects of facies refinement depend on the chosen application (see 2.4.
Applications). When using facies refinement in combination with invasion
percolation, you will see the influence of the structure of your seismic volume on the
percolation pattern. (Direct visualization of the high-resolution IP cell facies
distributions is not yet available).
When using upscaled facies assignment, you will see the effects directly in the facies
distributions of the target layers. Fig. 2-18, for example, shows the facies
distribution before and after upscaled facies assignment.

Before upscaled facies

assignment

After upscaled facies

assignment

Fig. 2-18 Facies distribution before and after upscaled facies assignment.

You will also notice effects on other properties affected by facies, for example
capillary entry pressure, porosity, permeability etc.

22 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 Appendix: Help and Support
Information
PetroMod is provided by © Schlumberger. The software has been designed by the
Schlumberger Aachen Technology Center (AaTC).

Submit a support 1 Visit the Schlumberger Software website at http://www.software.slb.com

request
2 Click Support on the menu bar.
3 Login or Register.
The Support page offers these services:

4 Submit your request in one of these ways:

• Create a ticket: Click Support Services first, then Tickets, to create a
ticket that will be sent to the Customer Care Center. In the ticket, you must
specify the software product, version, and platform.
• Data Exchange: Use this service to attach files to a ticket or upload files via
Secure File Transfer.
1. Click Support Services.
2. Click Start Exchange.
3. Enter the Ticket Incident Number and your E-Mail address.
4. Select the HTML or Java Applet UI upload method: HTML has a default file
size limit of 2GB. Java has no file size limit.
• Telephone: Click Support Services, then click Call or Email us to find
the telephone numbers of support personnel in your region.
• Email: Send an email to [email protected].
Subject: Software product (e.g. PetroMod)
Email content: Product version, module (e.g. PetroBuilder 3D), description of
the issue, how you tried to solve the issue, screenshots, your phone number
and email address.
Appendix: Help and Support Information 23
Additional help information

Additional help PetroMod provides the following help information:

information
• The PDFs of the user guides, installation guide, and release notes are included in
the installer and can be downloaded from the Documentation page of the
Schlumberger Software website.

• Task and process-specific information is available via these buttons in

PetroMod.
• The PetroMod Help Center provides online access to the user guides and links to
the Schlumberger Software website. Open the Help Center from the Help menu
in any PetroMod module.

24 PetroMod Facies Refinement Tool, Version 2016

 Index
A V
assign layers 16 volume data source 14

C W
configure volume data source 14 when to use facies refinement tool 10

D
data source 14
define
extra facies 12
depth maps 11

E
export
depth maps 11
extra facies 12

F
facies mapping 15
facies refinement dialog 13
finite element 18

I
invasion percolation 18

L
layer assignment 16

O
output 22

S
seismic data 12
simulation options pane 20
support 23

U
upscaled facies assignment 18

Index 25