The effect of faults on the 3-D connectivity of reservoir bodies: a case study from the East Pennine Coalfield, U.K.



Bailey, W.R., Manzocchi, T., Walsh, J.J., Keogh, K.1, Hodgetts, D.1, Rippon, J.,2 Nell, P.A.R.3, Flint, S.1 & Strand, J.A.
1 - Strat. Group, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK
3 - Badley Earth Sciences Ltd, North Beck Lane, Hundleby, Spilsby, Lincolnshire PE23 5NB, UK

Abstract - The connectivity of reservoir bodies has been tested in unfaulted and variably faulted, high resolution 3-D geocellular stratigraphic models (16 million cells in a 20 km x 20 km x ca. 600 m volume) from the East Pennine Coalfield, UK. The stratigraphy extends from Mid Westphalian A to Base Westphalian C and represents a low net:gross (0.03-0.27) coal-bearing delta top/fluvial reservoir analogue. Post-depositional normal faults have maximum displacements ranging from ca.140 m down to 1 m, a range of scale which includes seismically imageable and sub-seismic faults. High density borehole and mineplan data underpin this deterministic stratigraphic-structural model. Using two sets of facies as net, the effect of faulting on reservoir connectivity has been assessed for successions with different sedimentary architecture, interval net:gross and thickness.


Petroleum Geoscience 8 , 263-277, 2002. Download pdf of article

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