Fault trap analysis of the Permian Rotliegend gas play, Lauwerszee Trough, NE Netherlands

Corona, Fabio

doi:10.1144/0060327

Cited by 8 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…Corona 2005). Numerous other authors have made similar observations and interpretations along faults in basins worldwide (e.g.…”

Section: Other Considerations In Fault Seal Analysismentioning

confidence: 53%

Section: Other Considerations In Fault Seal Analysismentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Corona 2005). Our observation is that many apparent fault zone seals are the result of poor quality structural and stratigraphic input models to juxtaposition analysis (Corona 2005), as well as past failures to recognize simple geometric controls on contacts, such as breakovers (Vrolijk et al 2005), that can yield contact distributions reminiscent of sealing fault zones. We have observed that small errors or uncertainties in structure and stratigraphy may have large impacts on the prediction of juxtapositions across faults, leading to incorrect fault trap and seal analysis results (James et al 2004).…”

Section: Other Considerations In Fault Seal Analysismentioning

confidence: 98%

“…However, these variables can be considered later in the assessment process if necessary. Moreover, we recommend a broader integrated trap analysis approach and workflow as summarized by Corona (2005).…”

Section: Multi-fault Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multi-fault analysis scorecard: testing the stochastic approach in fault seal prediction

Corona

Davis

Hippler

et al. 2010

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Multi-fault analysis is an ExxonMobil stochastic tool for analysing the impact and sensitivities of stratigraphic uncertainty and variability on cross-fault leakage of hydrocarbons in faulted traps. This juxtaposition-based method provides quantitative prediction of hydrocarbon contact levels through a complex system of structural spills and juxtaposition leak points in traps with stacked reservoir systems and one or more faults. Validation of the Multi-fault analysis technology was carried out by comparing pre-drill predictions to post-drill results from 41 faulted exploration prospects drilled from 1994-2001. Of the 41 prospects, 29 were valid tests in which we made 22 successful predictions. Of the 22 successful outcomes, 11 were discoveries and 11 were dry wells. Some of the dry wells were drilled assuming the presence of sealing fault-zone material to trap hydrocarbons despite a Multi-fault analysis failure prediction. The seven Multifault failures comprise four predicted successes that were failures and three predicted failures that were successes. Most of the Multi-fault prediction failures can be attributed to data quality and uncertainty; however, some may be associated with sealing fault-zone material. Other considerations in fault seal analysis (i.e. dip leak along faults and sealing fault zone materials), model input uncertainties, and using drill-well learnings are also discussed.Fault seal analysis has been used since the 1960s to predict the impact of faults on the flow or storage of fluids in hydrocarbon reservoirs. Initial attempts at fault seal analysis concentrated on defining pressure or hydrocarbon column height differences across faults and using those observations to infer the sealing behaviour of faults (e.g. Smith 1966). Such studies used cross-sections constructed at high angles to the strikes of faults to understand the connections of permeable units across the faults. If disparate pressures or hydrocarbon fluid contacts were observed where a cross section provided evidence of a potential sand-to-sand juxtaposition, then it was assumed that the fault zone itself sealed in order to isolate the sands on each side of the fault from each other. However, the cross-section approach gives only a one-dimensional look at a fault (i.e. a single profile view along the fault), and the sand-to-sand juxtapositions across it, and as such, failed to define possible juxtapositions everywhere along the strike length of a fault. As well, early attempts at fault seal analysis were hampered by map quality and accuracy. In the 1960s and 1970s, depth-structure maps were constructed from variable quality two-dimensional seismic data and/or from well penetration data (formation or sequence tops), making derivative analyses, such as fault seal analysis, of suspect quality.With the development by Allan (1989) of a method for making fault plane profiles (so-called Allan diagrams), sand-to-sand juxtapositions along the length of faults could be defined in much better detail. Fault plane profiles are cross-sections ...

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“…Corona 2005). Numerous other authors have made similar observations and interpretations along faults in basins worldwide (e.g.…”

Section: Other Considerations In Fault Seal Analysismentioning

confidence: 53%

Section: Other Considerations In Fault Seal Analysismentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Other Considerations In Fault Seal Analysismentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Multi-fault Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Multi-fault analysis scorecard: testing the stochastic approach in fault seal prediction

Corona

Davis

Hippler

et al. 2010

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“…16) are probably related to fault-related restricted lateral continuity of the Rotliegend reservoir in combination with its decreasing thickness and permeability close to the northern sand limit (Verweij et al, 2011). Fault sealing on a geological timescale was identified to play a major role in explaining present-day location and hydrocarbon column heights of numerous fault-bounded gas fields in the Upper Rotliegend gas play in the Netherlands (Tabor et al, 2003;Corona, 2005Corona, , 2010Van Hulten, 2010).…”

Section: Pressure Distribution and Fluid Flow In The Upper Rotliegendmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pressure and fluid dynamic characterisation of the Dutch subsurface

Verweij

Simmelink

Underschultz

et al. 2012

Netherlands Journal of Geosciences

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This paper presents and discusses the distribution of fluid and leak-off pressure data from the subsurface of onshore and offshore Netherlands in relation to causes of formation fluid overpressure and the permeability framework. The observed fluid pressure conditions demonstrate a clear regional difference between the southern and the north and north-eastern part of the study area. In the southern area, formation fluid pressures are close to normal and well below measured leak-off pressures. In the north, formation fluids are overpressured and may locally even approach the measured leak-off pressures. The regional differences in fluid overpressure can, in large part, be explained by differences in geologic framework and burial history. In the south, relatively low rates of sedimentary loading and the presence of relatively permeable sedimentary units have led to the currently observed normally pressured conditions. In the northern area, relatively rapid Neogene sediment loading plays an important role in explaining the observed overpressure distributions in Cenozoic mudstones, Cretaceous Chalk and Rijnland groups, and probably also in Jurassic units. The permeability framework of the northern and north-eastern area is significantly affected by Zechstein and Triassic salt deposits and structures. These units are characterised by very low permeability and severely restrict fluid flow and pressure dissipation. This has created hydraulically restricted compartments with high overpressures (for example overpressures exceeding 30 MPa in the Lower Germanic Trias Group in the Terschelling Basin and Dutch Central Graben).

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The composition of groundwater in Palaeogene and older formations in the Netherlands. A synthesis

Griffioen

Verweij

Stuurman

2016

Netherlands Journal of Geosciences

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There is increasing interest in the exploitation of the deep subsurface of the Netherlands for purposes other than conventional oil and gas production, such as geothermal energy, shale gas exploitation and the disposal of radioactive waste, so for technical and environmental reasons it is important to understand the composition of the deep groundwater. A synthesis has been made of almost 200 existing groundwater analyses for the Oligocene and older formations in the Netherlands. Three groundwater categories are considered: (1) deep oil and gas reservoirs, (2) deep, buried and confined aquifers and (3) shallower, semi-confined aquifers with or without outcrop areas nearby. No distinct water types are found but a continuous series, with Cl ranging from around 10,000 to 200,000 mg l −1 : the highest concentrations are found in the reservoirs and the lowest in the semi-confined aquifers. The most saline brines are found in the northern onshore area and adjacent offshore area, where Permian and Triassic rock salt also occurs regionally in the subsurface. The groundwater is usually pH-neutral, saturated in carbonates and anaerobic. Anhydrite saturation occurs when the Cl concentration exceeds 100,000 mg l −1 , and halite saturation occurs at Cl concentrations close to 200,000 mg l −1 . Few tracer analyses have been done for δ 2 H-H 2 O, δ 18 O-H 2 O, δ 37 Cl, Br, Li and B, which makes a rigorous palaeohydrological interpretation impossible.Lithium and B may be controlled by water-rock interaction which makes them less suitable as tracers. Some of the analyses suggest that dissolution of rock salt plays a role in determining the salinity of groundwater for some deep wells in the southern part of the Netherlands, whereas other analyses suggest that evaporated seawater influences the salinity in the associated wells. Cation-exchange patterns and alkalinity to Ca ratios indicate that groundwater in the deep, buried and shallow, semi-confined aquifers is usually freshening. Six 14 C analyses of samples from the buried aquifers indicate an apparent age of at least 20,000 years. Six δ 37 Cl analyses of formation waters from reservoirs in South-Holland suggest diffusion of Cl from a brine towards fresher water, and the associated K and also Li concentrations further suggest that these brines are related to rock salt dissolution and are not the residue of evaporated seawater. The high Ca concentrations are enigmatic for the hypersaline formation waters in the reservoirs. A limited series of samples had been analysed for various trace elements. The median concentrations are similar to the seawater and Dutch background concentration limits for shallow groundwater, but maximum concentrations can be up to three orders of magnitude higher. In conclusion, the data synthesis shows that the composition of groundwater in reservoirs and aquifers of Palaeogene and older age varies strongly in salinity at the national scale. Presence of evaporite deposits and diffusive transport seem to play important roles in controlling the sali...

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Fault trap analysis of the Permian Rotliegend gas play, Lauwerszee Trough, NE Netherlands

Cited by 8 publications

References 1 publication

Multi-fault analysis scorecard: testing the stochastic approach in fault seal prediction

Multi-fault analysis scorecard: testing the stochastic approach in fault seal prediction

Pressure and fluid dynamic characterisation of the Dutch subsurface

The composition of groundwater in Palaeogene and older formations in the Netherlands. A synthesis

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