oa Tailoring the Solution – To What Objective

In order to optimally utilize repeat 4D Time-lapse seismic data for the purpose of seismic reservoir monitoring, it is necessary to first fully understand the acoustic and elastic response to both reservoir and field-wide changes. This is a complex interaction. It incorporates not only the reservoir dynamics component - which encompasses fluid properties, fluid flow characteristics, field performance history and pressure distributions and profiles over time, but also all the changes in stress induced by the pressure changes during production. It is those changes in stress that induce strains/deformations not only within the reservoir but also around it. Understanding the reservoir dynamics is not possible from studying the individual geologic, reservoir simulation and reservoir geomechanical models in isolation – it requires them all to be fully integrated into a full-field coupled Dynamic Integrated Earth Model (DIEM). Only by fully understanding the mechanisms that produce the 4D signal via a DIEM can we hope to design an acquisition configuration in order to measure the 4D response at time intervals necessary, within the survey specific coherent and incoherent noise conditions, to be used for pro-active closed loop seismic reservoir monitoring and management.