Fault Seal Analysis

RMSFaultseal allows geologists and reservoir engineers to quickly

and easily analyse sealing effects occurring in fault regions. Data
representing the degree of sealing can be generated and used as
basis for seal analysis or as input to a flow simulator. Uncertainty in
fault sealing effects is properly handled and can be integrated into
overall workflows. Characterization of sealing effects can
significantly improve the quality and speed of a simulation history
match.

IN SUMMARY

• Prediction of fault sealing effects with industry standard

models

• Generates fault transmissibility multipliers

• SGR curves from fault property databases can be used as
input
• Advanced visualisation of fault zone properties
• Results can be exported to external flow simulators or used
in integrated streamline or black oil simulations.
Faults also play an important part in the ultimate recovery and
sweep efficiency within the reservoir. Accurate characterization of
fault properties ensures that the field development plan and well
locations are optimized for recovery and sweep efficiency.
POOR HISTORY MATCH GOOD HISTORY MATCH

• Truly integrated and easy to use

Simple Transmissibility multipliers Fauls seal analysis derived

Powerful Fault Seal Analysis
transmissibility multipliers
Example taken from Svedrup et al. (2003)
Faults are typically included in reservoir models with a geometrical
description, including displacement and fault juxtaposition. Fault
RMSFaultseal is part of the RMS workflow which has been designed as
sealing effects caused by shale smear or fault gouge are more often a truly integrated reservoir interpretation and modeling solution. No
neglected, or simply handled manually as transmissibility multipliers other single application brings this degree of integration across so
by the reservoir engineer in a history matching process. much of the reservoir characterization workflow. Multiple disciplines
are not just using shared data but also sharing a single application.
As shown in the figure below this is frequently inadequate and the
engineer is then required to modify these by trial and error to
improve the history match. Through the application of fault seal
analysis techniques, both the quality of the reservoir model and the
history match can be dramatically improved.

Faults can significantly impact fluid flow within the reservoir and the
correct fault fluid flow characterization is often critical to getting a
good history match. Fault transmissibility multipliers are
one of the factors which have historically been applied by reservoir
engineers in an often slow process to get a history match. The history
matching process can be significantly speeded up and improved on
many reservoirs through the use of Roxar’s fault seal analysis.
 Fault Seal Analysis

Choice of Fault Zone Permeability Algorithms
RMSFaultseal allows the user to choose the most appropriate
fault zone permeability equation for their field and data.
Manzocchi et al. (1999)
logKFZ = -4SGR – 1⁄4 log(D) * (1 – SGR)5
Sperrevik et al. (2002)
KFZ = a1*exp{-[a2SGR + a3*Zmax + (a4*Zf + a5)(1 - SGR)7]}
Multiple fault seal jobs can be defined and executed, containing data
set-up for individual or multiple faults. The jobs can be executed in
workflows, where uncertainty in input parameters can also be
investigated.
Flexible Output
The primary output for reservoir simulation is the fault
transmissibility multipliers. Additional information such as
transmissibility, shale gouge ratio and fault zone permeability
can also be generated for QC and analysis.

RMSStream and RMSFlowsim

Results from fault seal analysis can be used directly in Roxar’s

integrated simulation and streamlines solutions, RMSFlowsim &
RMSStream. This allows the impact of the results to be quickly
analysed and used directly within the model for development
planning and recovery optimisation.

Export to Industry Simulators

Results can be easily exported to common industry simulators,

ensuring seamless integration into your existing workflows. Final
Shale Gouge Ratio (yellow) and Fault Permeability (blue) vizualized on fault faces results from simulation can also be imported for further analysis and
visualization, alongside the original reservoir model.
SGR Curves from Fault Property Databases

As an alternative to the pre-defined equations for fault zone To learn more please visit www.roxarsoftware.com or email
permeability, information from fault property databases can be used us on rss.marketing@emerson.com.
where available. This offers the opportunity to use directly measured
or analogue data, improving the quality of the results over standard
published relationships. References
Manzocchi, T., Walsh, J. J., Nell, P. & Yielding, G. 1999. Fault transmissibility multipliers
for flow simulation models. Petroleum Geoscience 5, 53-63.
Advanced Visualisation
Sverdrup E., Helgesen J., & Vold J. 2003. Sealing properties of faults and their influence on
All fault zone properties can be visualised on the faulted cell faces. water alternating-gas injection efficiency in the Snorre field, northern North
These are easily displayed and can be filtered to show only the faults Sea. AAPG Bulletin, v. 87 (9), pp. 1437-1458.
of interest. The results for all cells and part cells can be displayed for
both hanging wall and footwall cell faces (as shown in the figure
above).

Accurate Grid Based Calculations

RMS maintains a close link between the structural model and the 3D
grid, and this can be utilised in the fault seal modelling. Geometric
calculations involved in the fault seal modelling are performed using
the structural model, giving a highly accurate result for all types of
faults. Fault properties are calculated for all grid cells adjacent to
user-selected faults.
Roxar 2014

ROXAR AS, GAMLE FORUSVEI 17, PO BOX 112, 4065 STAVANGER, NORWAY TELEPHONE +47 51 81 8800 FAX +47 51 81 8801 WWW.ROXAR.COM