Designing a 3D model for the prediction of the top of formation in oil fields using geostatistical methods

Abstract

The importance of hydrocarbon resources is known worldwide and access to liquid and gas hydrocarbon resources is only possible through drilling various geological formations. Drilling engineers' knowledge about subsurface conditions of oil-rich regions of Iran is only based on experience and quantitative assessment of geological and drilling reports. Using geostatistical methods, the qualitative experience can be converted into a quantitative one and a better result can be obtained. Asmari Formation is of great importance for drilling operations because most of the oil reservoirs in the southern parts of Iran are located in this formation. In this article, the geostatistical methods were used to build a three-dimensional (3D) model to determine the top of Asmari Formation. Data from 80 wells drilled in one oil field in southern Iran were prepared and analysed in order to build the 3D model of the top of Asmari Formation.

Keywords:

• top of formation
• geostatistics
• variogram
• kriging
• 3D model