Subsidence and horizontal earth surface movement during reservoir depletion for 3D reservoirs with 3D earth surface

Oil or gas production causes reservoir depletion. It induces reservoir compaction and subsidence and earth surface lateral movement. Gas and oil are found in 3D shape traps such as anticline traps, and inclined fault traps. In addition, the earth surface above such 3D reservoirs, where we observe subsidence and lateral movement, may not be flat, that is, mountains or valleys may exist above the reservoirs. The subsidence and horizontal movement are affected by the size and the location of mountains above reservoirs and also they are affected by the 3D reservoir shape. This paper analyzes 3D reservoir and earth surface geometry effects on subsidence and horizontal earth surface movement during reservoir compaction. Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

Subsidence and horizontal earth surface movement during reservoir depletion for 3D reservoirs with 3D earth surface Conference Paper