Historically, the industry has used the term “visualization” as a synonym for seismic volume interpretation employing high-end compute power. But seismic volume interpretation disconnected from 3-D reservoir modeling is a dead-end workflow. To fully understand an asset, it is vital to visualize, interpret and analyze all kinds of data, including seismic, geology, drilling and production, in a single representation — a unified earth model — shared among multiple domain experts.

With Petrel seismic-to-simulation software, this workflow is now possible using low-end

Petrel extends visualization capabilities to all types of data. (Image courtesy of Schlumberger)
Windows PCs at the desktop and in large collaborative environments. The Petrel workflow not only allows experts from multiple domains to meld the richness of their domain-specific information and knowledge into a single model-centric representation, but it also supports the ability to easily update and visualize the collective understanding as soon as new information is available — whether from a production well or a re-processed seismic volume. It is now possible to visualize, evaluate and assess complex relationships in 3-D space and 4-D time to better understand risk and uncertainty in multiple scenarios and more accurately predict reservoir flow behavior.

With Petrel it is possible to visualize, interpret, evaluate risk and update earth-model realizations to maintain a current shared understanding of the asset. Visualizing and interpreting all types of data and understanding their dependencies in a single representation is dramatically changing the way exploration and production teams view new opportunities as well as mature assets.

Case study
Petrel allowed Hoan Vu JOC to accurately visualize the 3-D geometry of complex fault systems, confirm its seismic and tectonic interpretations, and plan and drill the second-most productive basement well in Vietnam. Rapid updates of the reservoir model were essential for optimizing drilling operations. The predrill 3-D geological model was updated three times per day throughout the drilling process. Each time the reservoir model was updated, the Hoan Vu asset team obtained an accurate picture of the progress and expected results for individual phases of the drilling program. Using mud, pressure and temperature log data acquired during drilling, project members investigated the validity of the structural interpretation.

Rate of penetration (ROP) proved to correspond directly to the fault interpretation derived from the software. When the well path intersected dense fault patterns, the ROP increased. As the trajectory passed through areas of little or no faulting, the ROP decreased. Using drilling information, Hoan Vu JOC was able to optimize well placement throughout drilling operations to maximize production.

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