Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and

5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Integrating High Resolution Sequence Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Structuration in Complexly Faulted Thin-bedded Fluvio-lacustrine Reservoirs. Sirikit Oil Fields, Onshore Thailand.
Prang Sinhabaedya* and Yarick Ionnikoff
Petroleum Development Department, S1 concession, PTTEP Bangkok 10900 *Corresponding author e-mail: PrangS@pttep.com

Abstract
The Sirikit oilfields, located in the Phitsanulok basin, onshore Thailand, started production in 1982 and reached a peak production of 26,740 bopd in July 2000. Production rate in 2007 averaged 20, 500 bopd after intense infill drilling campaigns and water injection programs were implemented in several blocks. The field geology is very complex and a sound understanding of the reservoir architecture will be paramount to increased oil recoveries. A major effort aiming at integrating all geological information obtained from the numerous wells, seismic and regional data started recently to a level of details not reached before. An improved understanding of reservoir production behavior and guidelines as to how to improve field recovery will come at that cost. In order to achieve and accelerate this integration effort, the 3D reservoir modeling platform is required. This paper gives the background of this study work, the workflow used and some preliminary results since the study is not yet complete to date (Sep. 2008).

Keywords: Structural geology, sedimentology, stratigraphy, integration, 3D modeling, Phitsanulok Basin, Sirikit, Oil field, lacustrine, Lan Krabu 1. Introduction This paper presents a new integrated geological reservoir study approach whereby all detailed geological information is captured within a live 3D (three Dimensional) reservoir model, which becomes a repository for all subsurface information. This work has been initiated with the aim to achieve better understanding of the reservoir and therefore being able to select the best further development plan so that the fields potential is realized to maximal economical recovery. The Sirikit Oil fields (Fig. 1-3) were discovered onshore Thailand in 1981 by Thai Shell E&P. The fields were brought on stream in 1982 via drilling of primary development wells and production reached a peak in 2000 with 26,740 barrel of oil per day (bopd). Since the reservoirs are produced only on natural depletion drive, production rates drop quickly unless new producers are drilled. The stock tank (volume) of oil initially in place (STOIIP) of the Sirikit Fields is approximately 900 MMSTB and so far 184MMSTB have been produced (Sep. 2008), hence yielding a current recovery factor of 20.4% only. The key remaining challenge is to define a further development strategy that will increase this recovery factor to the highest technically and economically possible. To that end several development options are considered such as, tighter infill drilling, pump installation and pressure maintenance schemes (e.g. water injection). Choosing the best option will depend heavily on the understanding of the reservoir behavior, i.e. response to development activities. The Sirikit Oil fields have been penetrated by more than 400 wells to date, hence a wealth of data is available, if only it were manageable given the pace of drilling and the amount of wireline data as well as production data being acquired almost daily. It is believed that this massive data integration effort will best achieved within the immersive 3D modeling environment. This platform is ideal as it can store all acquired data as well as their interpretation and ideally combine them into a consistent earth model that can be reliably used for prediction purposes. The Petrel software has been selected for this study as it seemed to cope best with the studys requirements, i.e. its capacity to handle large amount of complex data.

387

Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and 5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

The Sirikit Oil Fields (Fig. 3) are located within the Phistanulok basin in the Kamphaeng Phet province in the central plain of Thailand. The Phitsanulok basin is one of string of intracratonic extensional structures that formed in the Oligocene and got filled up with MioceneOligocene fluvio-lacustrine sediments of the Sarabop and Lan Krabu formation (Fig. 5). The reservoirs were deposited during episodes of progradations of a delta within the Lake Phitsanulok. The Chum Saeng shale is the main cap rock and also the source rock and got deposited during widespread transgressions. The reservoirs are distributed in thin channel-mouthbar successions that interdigitate into lacustrine shale, therefore form stacked isolated reservoir bodies. The net/gross ratio in the Lan Krabu sandstones is approximately 20% and the average porosity is 20%. The dominant depositional environment for the reservoir sequences is delta front mouthbar although a few intervals are more fluvial dominated, where more channels can be found. The average sand thickness ranges approximately from 1mTV to 3mTV with an average at 1.5mTV, hence no lithology response expected from the seismic data (sand below minimum detection limit of 3m at the depth considered) and poor imaging of the sands on the wireline logs. The structuration of the basin was multi-staged as the main stresses changed direction during basin development phases, resulting in a complexly faulted structure both in term of geometry and topology. This structure heavily transects the reservoir bodies and creates more compartments since most of the faults exhibit excellent sealing capacity. Given these facts, reservoir connectivity, which is critical to sound development planning is therefore difficult to ascertain and is currently largely based on low resolution reservoir/pressure correlation. 2. Objectives and Scope The main objective of the study is to analyze and integrate all the subsurface data into a consistent 3D geological reservoir description that can be used for analysis, mapping/plotting and visualization. Consistent means that all data support a common understanding or interpretation. In addition, once the 3D reservoir model has been generated, proven consistent and peer reviewed, it can also be used as input to a reservoir simulator and hence becomes of predictive value so that development scenarios can be tested, ranked and

optimized. The intention is to keep this reservoir mode live so it can be updated and further improved once more data become available and/or better concepts are brought forwards. The data that was used for this study is listed below: Well data Trajectories, completion Drilling information (MWD, cuttings) Wireline logs (Gamma ray, neutron, density, sonic, resistivity/induction, pressure) Cores and core description Image logs (FMS, FMI) Dipmeter data Interpreted logs (Fluid type, porosity, fluid saturation, permeability, lithology) Production information Initial rates and decline rates for oil, gas, water Gas/Oil ratio and BS&W development trends Static and Dynamic Pressure surveys Production logs (MPLT) Seismic Data 3D and 2D lines Attributes (coherency, frequency content, wave numbers) Seismic interpretation (stratigraphic horizons, faults, anomalies) Check shot surveys Regional Information Regional study reports (c.f. References) Satellite photos Outcrop data The area covered by this study is the Central Faulted Region (CFR) in Sirikit Main fields (Fig. 3), especially the Lan Krabu reservoir where the bulk of the STOIIP sits. The current estimation is 260MMSTB with a cumulative oil production to date of 36 MMSTB, which yields a current recovery factor of 13.8% only. This is one of the most complex blocks in this area, since, as its name suggests, it is highly faulted in nature. This explains why the recovery is less than the nearby fields average of

388

Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and 5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

20% and also why relatively less effort has been spent on study. The CFR (Fig. 4) has been penetrated by 85 wells since 1982, and the most recent well has been drilled in June 2008. 3. Methodology and Workflow The chosen study method is based on an iterative approach whereby a change in the interpretation of some data will trigger the update of all the depending data interpretation so as to maintain consistency. When the data is interpreted, it is input and stored in the 3D reservoir model as dependent information that has some semantics, e.g. a fault marker defines the intersection of a well trajectory with a fault surface but also a discontinuity in the vertical sedimentary sequence at that location (missing/repeat section). By analyzing the data, it is possible to define exactly how much is missing or repeated. Initially, all the study data has been interpreted a priori in order to define: A starting structural framework by integrating the structural seismic interpretation with the regional stress model and the well data (dipmeter, fault marker, missing section, borehole break outs) A 4th order stratigraphic sequence based on maximum flooding event correlation and seismostratigraphy Major facies successions by integrating electro-facies with cuttings, core description and paleogeographic information

the mistie and also quantify the mistie so remediation is more efficient. Once the coarse scale structural framework model is properly QCd then the 4th order stratigraphic sequence correlation is incorporated in the model in order to generate the stratigraphic infill maps. The process of QCing the infill maps is the same as for the structural framework model. Thickness maps are generated as well as slip distribution maps for all the faults in the model. This is useful to highlight possible flaws in the detailed maker correlation and also to fine-tune the fault position. After the detailed stratigraphic model has been built then the interpreted facies successions observed in the wells are also integrated in the model. 4. Early Results Although the study is still in progress, numerous findings have been made so far concerning the structural style and overall reservoir architecture. The main learning from integrating structural interpretation and high resolution sequence stratigraphic correlation is the unraveling of low angle detachment faulting in the western part of the CFR block. The a priori seismic interpretation like any previous interpretation concluded that most of the faults were normal listric faults that reactivated old basement trends. Bringing the detailed well log correlation together with the structural interpretation resulted in an inconsistent model whereby parasequence sets should be missing due to unconformities or onlap. This went against the regional sequence stratigraphic correlation that showed the presence of these parasequence sets over most of the area. Another finding from this study so far is that reservoir bodies naturally correlate more than what was expected before, especially the delta front mouthbar sands. They are expected to correlate over more than 2km sometime, although it is understood that what is mapped is more likely a set of connected prograding mouthbar sands rather than a single event (Fig. 6). This study also highlighted obvious lateral facies changes in the prodeltaic dominated intervals that were not interpreted before. The correlation panel (Fig. 11) shows a set of wells arranged from North (down-structure) to South (Up-structure). It is now obvious with the new correlation that the top 3 mouthbar sequence shale out towards the South, hence suggesting the possibility of having stratigraphic trapping mechanism at those levels, never thought of before.

The study starts from coarse scale down-to the details and work stops when the level of confidence in the interpretation is tool low. The main faults and stratigraphic horizons are combined in the coarse scale structural framework model at the early stage. The structural framework model is integrated with the well markers correlation so as to check the consistency with the position of the stratigraphic tops and fault markers (eventual missing/repeat sections observed). In the event that well markers are not consistent with the structural framework then the study team investigates the structural model quality and the markers correlation. However, generating a 3D model tied to the wells often gives good insight as to what has gone wrong. Whenever there is a mistie between seismic event and geological well markers, thickness maps can help locating

389

Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and 5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Model QC Model QC is performed in various ways within the context of a computer built 3D reservoir representation: Generating structure maps for seismic or infill horizons that have been tied to the wells can help in identifying inconsistencies in the interpretation and/or correlation Generating and displaying thickness maps (True Vertical Time or Depth, True Stratigraphic Thickness) can help spotting inconsistencies in the stratigraphic correlation and or structural interpretation Visual QC is very important in complex geological settings such as in Sirikit area. Slicing the 3D structural and stratigraphic model allows checking for artifacts in its geometry that could be linked to structural interpretation or well log correlation. Checking differences (residuals) before and after correcting horizons to fit the well markers can also sometimes help to depict errors in the interpretation. In this instance, as shown on Fig. 8, fault shadow effect was interpreted as an extra antithetic fault trend. Correction maps showed that this pull up and associated antithetic fault were imaging artifacts due to velocity variation in the overburden.

in most operating set ups, new well data might come in every week or so. 5. Conclusions This study has already proven the sheer value of bringing together structural, sedimentological and stratigraphic data within an immersive integrated 3D modeling environment when dealing with complex geology. The 3D modeling platform also enables integration of all the geological data with geophysical and production data and helps to ascertain the quality of this data. It offers unlimited data analysis and QC tools (mapping, plotting, cross-sections, cross-plots, histograms, correlograms, etc.) that are usefull in understanding the data itself. This is especially critical when dealing with large amount of data and in operating environments where work is done under great pressure and fast turn around time links directly to business value. Although not completed yet, this work has already paid back, as the integration of geological data such as structure, sequence stratigraphy and sedimentology has highlighted that different interpretation (models) are possible, some of which generate direct gains by opening prospectivity or determining low recovery areas. More specifically, the study has defined a new structural style for the western part of the block based on gravitational slumps that is more consistent with all geological and production information. The Study also gave a better insight for reservoir lateral extent and possibility of stratigraphic traps in some of the transgressive systems track sequences. This will become even clearer when lateral facies successions be interpreted and mapped. The next step of this study is to produce detailed paleogeographical models at the finest scale possible in order to see the depositional system more clearly at every time step, as this has never been done in that block so far, even after 25 years of production. Once this is achieved then a full 3D reservoir property model will be generated and thrown in a dynamic reservoir simulator in order to further validate the geological model in a more quantitative way. This dynamic model will in turn be used to define the next field development steps so as to increase the hydrocarbon recovery for this mature and complex area.

Integrated Workflow Using the 3D modeling platform also provide geologists with an auditable way to integrate the data into a consistent geological framework by using precise semantics. For instance, when a stratigraphic well marker associated with a seismic interpreted horizon is updated, the 3D representation of that horizon is immediately updated so as to fit the markers given the fitting parameters and residuals are recalculated. If, ever, the marker is re-interpreted and picked wrongly higher up in the vertical sequence, the modeling system would immediately prompt the user about possible inconsistency and/or propose to change the shallower stratigraphic horizon to be unconformities. The workflow is repeatable, which means that whenever more data become available, the overall model can be updated effortlessly (most of the time but not always), so to keep its consistency. This is critical, since

390

Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and 5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

References Ainsworth, R.B. 1996. Mouthbar reservoir correlation techniques and production implications. Note for File, EPP/4-165/96. Ainsworth, R.B. and van der Pal, R. 1997. Guidelines for GEOCAP modelling of thin-bedded Heterolithics in Sirikit (Part 1). Note for file, EPP/4-002/97. Ainsworth, R.B. and van der Pal, R. 1997. Guidelines for GEOCAP modelling of thin-bedded Heterolithics in Sirikit fine-scale sector models (Part 2). Note for file, EPP/4- 97 (in prep.) Ainsworth, R.B. and Sankosik, H 1998. 3D reservoir Modelling of the Sirikit West Field, Phitsanulok basin, Thailand. SPE 39737, March 1998. Atkinson, C. D. and Marshall, J.D. 1984. Fluvial reservoir geology: Volume I - Identification, classification and reservoir properties. RKGR.84.078. Bal, A.A., Burgisser,H.M., Harris,D.K., Herber,M.A., Rigby,S.M., Thumprasertwong,S. & Winkler,F.J. 1992. The Tertiary Phitsanulok Lacustrine Basin, Thailand. Nat. Conf. Geol. Res of Thailand. November 1992. 247-258. Bal, A.A., Burgisser,H.M., Harris,D.K., Herber,M.A., Rigby,S.M., Thumprasertwong,S. & Winkler,F.J. 1988 Hydrocarbon Habitat of the Phitsanulok Basin. Thai Shell Report E88.15, 1988. Barr, S.M. & Macdonald,A.S. 1991. Towards a late Paleozoic - early Mesozoic tectonic model for Thailand. J. Thao Geosci., 1(1991), 11-22. Bunopas, S, & Vella,P. 1992. Geotectonics and geologic evolution of Thailand. Nat. Conf. Geologic Resources of Thailand: Potential for Future Development. Nov. 1992, Dept. Mineral Resources, Bangkok, Thailand . 209-228. Burgisser, H.M. 1985. Sedimentation in continental rift basins - some selected examples. RKGR 85.060. Colleran P, Makel G, Duivenvoorden T, Marsland D, Brown T, Mana R, Montree S, Chuenchit W, Chantorn B, Atisuda M, Gardham B, Harvey M, Suhattaya K, Van der Pal R, Ainsworth B, Supamittra C, Sandor R, Natmana P, Johnson M, Lai C, Meyer S, Brentjens E, Husrin S, Rucharee W, 1998. 1996-1997 Sirikit Field Review. EPD-R001/97, March 1998. EPP/4, 1993, Feasibility study - Sirikit East Flank Waterflood Phase I. .Thai Shell Exploration and Production Report Number: EPP/4-93001

Flint, S., Stewart, D.J., Hyde, T., Gevers, E.C.A., Dubrule, O. 1987. Aspects of the reservoir geology and production behaviour of the Sirikit Field, Thailand: An integrated study using well data and 3D seismic. RKOR.87.015. Goesten, M.J.B.G. 1992. Reservoir Geological Characteristics of the Lan Krabu Formation, Eastern Flank, Sirikit Field. EPP/44-92018. Harvey,M.J. & Mkel,G.H. 1998. 1996 - 1997 Sirikit Field Review. Part 6 - 1997 Sirikit STOIIP/GIIP Review. Report EPD-R001/97. March 1998 Jahn, F.M.O., Goesten, M.J.B.G. and Riessen, E.D. 1989. Sedimentological facies and productivity of Lan Krabu Formation, Sirikit Field, Thailand. EPP/44-89001/89. Knipscheer, H. 1997. A Geological re-evaluation of cores from 13 wells, Sirikit Field, Phitsanulok Basin, Thailand. SIEP 97-5118. Mkel G.H, 1998 - Evaluation Results and Appraisal Options for Prospects and Leads in the S1 Concession, Report No. EPD-R005/98, March 1998. Miall A.D, 1996. The geology of fluvial deposits. Mjos, R., Walderhaug, O. and Prestholm, E., 1993. Crevasse splay sandstone geometries in the Middle Jurassic Ravenscar Group of Yorkshire, UK. Special Publication International Association of Sedimentologists, 17, 167-184 Montree, S., Ainsworth, R.B., Duivenvoorden, T. 1997. The impact of mouthbar correlation techniques, reservoir architecture and heterolithics on Sirikit Field recovery factors: An integrated 3D modeling approach. Note for file, EPP/4- 97 (in prep.) Nieuwland,D.A. 1984. The Geology of the Sirikit Field. Conf. Geol. Min. Res. Thailand. October, 1984. Posamentier, H.W. et al., 1988 - Eustatic Control on Clastic Deposition. I Conceptual Framework. SEPM Spec. Publ. 42, 108-142. TRACS 2001. A new interpretation of the structural geology of the Sirikit field area. TRACS report, June 2001. Trumpy,D.M. 1986. Structural configuration of the Phitsanulok Basin and its relation to Hydrocarbon prospectivity. KSEP Structural Seminar 1986. Yodinlom, W, 1990. Thickness and Continuity of sand beds in the Lan Krabu formation, Eastern Flank of Sirikit field. Note for file EPP/44-015/90, June 1990.

391

Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and 5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Fig. 2.

Map showing the S1 concession boundary together with the main structural trends. Color fill-ins indicate proven and prospective blocks (green is gas, red is oil, yellow and orange are prospects).

Fig. 1.

Map of Thailand showing the location of the S1 concession in the central plain in Kamphaeng Phet province. The area in the blue frame is enlarged in Fig. 2 below.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 3.

Maps showing the main producing blocks in the Sirikit Main oilfields. The principal area of study is the Central Faulted Region shown in orange color. This area was always understudied as its structuration is rather complex and poorly imaged on seismic data.

Coherency slice at top Lan Krabu reservoir over the Sirikit Main area showing the overall structuration. Dark colored area represent area where the seismic data is discontinuous (faults, truncations) and light color represent areas where the Fig. 5. seismic data is continuous (tectonically quiet). The Central Faulted Region is outlined in yellow. The darker strip on the West is the Sirikit Main Western boundary fault system.

Phitsanulok basin chronostratigraphic framework.

392

Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and 5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Fig. 6 a) and b): Modern and ancient mouthbar analogue. Mouthbars are deposited as a consequence of a reduction in the sediment transporting capacity of rivers when they enter a standing body of water. Little information exists in the literature regarding mouthbar geometry and property in lacustrine environments. Photo a) shows a fluvio-lacustrine mouthbar complex analogue from Lake Izabal in Guatemala. In this case the delta is clearly fluvial dominated (bird foot like) since there is no possible wave action nor tidal influence. Note the crevasse spay delta at the top of the photo. This interesting analogue also helps understanding the kind of connectivity patterns that can be obtained from such a depositional system, and also how misleading the chronostratigraphic correlation of the two time equivalent mouthbar branches would be in terms of reservoir extent prediction. Photo b) shows a Mouthbar outcrop example from Utah, USA. The mouthbar interval is approximately 20m thick and the A-B distance is 300m. Note the stratae dips to the left and that the top sand at the up-depositional dip (A) location is not seen at the down-depositional dip (B) location. This is an important observation when correlation wireline log data.

Fig. 7.

Depth structural map of top Lan Krabu reservoir over the Sirikit Main Central Faulted Region area. The map shows the well penetration. Fault cut appear in white color. This map illustrates the change of structural style when moving from East to West. Whereas faults in the Eastern part are mostly listric normal faults with straight fault traces, the faults in the West turn to low angle slump faults noticeable with their scoop geometry. Maps also indicate the seismic section (red) and well panels presented Fig. 8, 9 and 10. Fig. 8 a), b), c): NNW-SSE sections showing (a) the raw seismic data, (b) the previous structural interpretation and (c) the updated structural interpretation as a result of this study. Hydrocarbons are shown in Lan Krabu K and L reservoirs (light blue) only as green for gas and red for oil. The updated interpretation was partly based on the results of the detailed well log correlation shown in Fig. 9. In order to get a consistent slip distribution on fault 2 at Lan Krabu and P level it was clear that the previous interpretation was inconsistent. The large missing section observed in LKU-C10 (c.f. Fig. 9) indicated that the upper L sands be faulted out.

393

Proceedings of the International Symposia on Geoscience Resources and Environments of Asian Terranes (GREAT 2008), 4th IGCP 516,and 5th APSEG; November 24-26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Fig. 9.

Correlation panel with LKU-C10, -C07 and -C05 wells. The left track shows the gamma-ray log and the right track shows resistivity with interpreted fluid column (green for gas, red for oil and blue for water). It can be observed that the upper L sands are missing in LKU-C10 located most updip of -C05 and -C07. Although there is evidence of a localized unconfimity at top Lan Krabu L in the North of the block, time correlation suggests that the cause for the missing section is a fault cut. Fig. 10. Correlation panel with LKU-C24, -C25, S10 and -S09 in the North part of the Central Faulted Region, c.f. map Fig. 7. This panel shows two major points. Firstly the upper Lan Krabu K sands are missing in the last two wells that are located more to the North. This is attributed to the presence of a low angle fault that separates the CFR from the A block, c.f. map Fig. 3. Secondly, the upper L sand cycle is missing in the first two wells whereas the bottom cycles are missing in the last two. This indicates the presence of a small unconformity at top L and a low angle fault cutting the lower L in the later wells.

Fig. 11.

Sequence stratigraphic correlation panel across the Sirikit Main area showing the major Maximum Flooding Surface (shale dominant intervals).

394