Services

I specialize in integrating all subsurface datasets in siliciclastic systems to produce predictive stratigraphic reservoir architecture that can be used to guide drilling and as an input to reservoir models.

Seismic interpretation

Products & Services

Seismic interpretation is based on a deep understanding clastic facies and sequence stratigraphy. Specific products depend on the project objectives but may include:

  • Sequence stratigraphic architecture
  • Thickness maps
  • Seismic attribute maps
  • Seismic facies maps and their interpretation
  • AVO interpretation

At an exploration scale, the focus is likely on play elements, including reservoir, seal, and traps. At a production scale, the focus is likely on reservoir compartmentalization and integrating cores and wells.

Project timing depends on the project requirements. Interpretation is done on the client’s software (Petrel, etc.).

My experience

I have spent the majority of my career at Exxon interpreting 2D and 3D seismic in a wide range of basins around the world at both exploration and production scales. I am very experienced interpreting key surfaces, seismic facies, and attribute analysis.

I am most experienced in Petrel, but have worked on other platforms.

Siliciclastic core description & integration

Products
  • Log of grain size (based on visual comparison to grain size card)
  • Identify all sedimentary structures
  • Identify all burrows and level of bioturbation
  • Group lithologies into lithofacies associations appropriate for reservoir modeling
  • Interpret depositional environment and implications for continuity and distribution of reservoir and seal facies
  • Analysis of porosity and permeability data by lithofacies and depositional setting
  • Drafted results presented in a pdf poster. Scale (m per cm) determined by client needs. Documentation to include: core description, lithofacies associations, depositional setting, description and justification of all interpretations, core photos of examples of typical reservoir and seal lithofacies and other key evidence.
Timing

Description rate is approximately 25m of core per day, depending on condition of core and complexity of facies. If core is coated with mud, then it needs to be washed. Thick sandstone is described faster then interbedded sand and mudstone.

Basic document preparation is approximately 100m of core per day

Additional analysis

The more data provided by the client, the more useful is the analysis.

Well logs: Most useful are well logs in pdf format at the same scale as the final drafted core description. Analysis will include core to log shift. If data is to be integrated with seismic, then an acoustic impedance log is useful. Qualitative analysis of log response for each lithofacies is included.

Core plug P&P data: Data will be analyzed for each lithofacies association with summaries of statistics that can be used for reservoir modeling. If core plug butt end photos are provided, then data can be culled to eliminated heterolithic samples.

Core photos: A complete set of core photos provided prior to the trip can make the description more efficient. Core photos can be used to more precisely estimate the time needed for description.

Time for analysis and documentation: The time required for documentation depends on the amount of data provided. Typically P&P data adds one to two days to the analysis and document preparation.

My experience

I have described and interpreted well over 10 kilometers of core from many basins around the world in all siliciclastic depositional environments. Core is most useful if it is fully integrated into the subsurface stratigraphic model in order to better constrain the distribution of reservoir, seal, and source rocks. In all projects I integrate all the available data including production and pressure data.

Well log correlation

Products & Services

Most typically applied at a production scale, well logs are correlated using a sequence stratigraphic approach. This is best applied in fluvial through coastal settings. Key stratigraphic surfaces are flooding surfaces and sequence boundaries.

Products include:

  • Thickness maps
  • Facies and depositional environment maps
  • Net:Gross maps
  • Net sand maps

If core is available it will be integrated into the final interpretation.

Interpretation is done on the client’s software (Petrel, etc.).

Timing

Well log correlation depends on the number of wells, how closely spaced they are, and their quality. For relatively modern well logs in a typical field, 50 wells in one reservoir interval takes about 4 weeks to deliver all the products.

My experience

I have correlated thousands of wells in several basins around the world. Key projects include Cold Lake, a field in Alberta, Canada, where I was team lead of a small group that correlated 1,000 wells and described over 400 cores. I have worked many other mature fields to develop stratal and structural models to seek out drilling opportunities.

I am most experienced in Petrel, but have worked on other platforms.