Seals are a perhaps the least comprehended physical elements of the petroleum
system and of hydrocarbon traps, and yet they are often the most neglected in play and prospect risking. The risk
factor assigned to “sealing” and “containment” in an exploration venture is usually the result of much guesswork.
In recent years, evaluation of reservoir seals has gained increased attention, based mainly on the realization that
their failure is responsible for a large proportion of dry holes drilled worldwide. Understanding the geological
and geomechanical nature of seals has become one of the vital issues for successful exploration and development efforts.
Top seal properties (capacity, geometry and integrity) and fault sealing
(juxtaposition and fault zone character) are now recognized as key factors in controlling hydrocarbon column heights,
together with lateral and bottom seals, but an integral system of seal evaluation remains undocumented. In addition,
intraformational seal properties are key for modeling reservoir compartmentalization and behavior during production.
An understanding of the properties and distribution of potential barriers and baffles to fluid flow is also required
for accurate reservoir simulation.
C&C Reservoirs has developed a comprehensive E&P
TREATISE on seals. This study attempts
to bridge the gap between deterministic research on hydrocarbon seals and empirical analysis derived from economic
traps worldwide. It provides lessons learned from more than 900 producing reservoirs worldwide using data from
our DIGITAL
ANALOGS
Knowledge System and from other public and private data sources.
The E&P TREATISE examines all case studies to provide an understanding of top seals, bottom seals, lateral seals,
fault seals, intra-reservoir seals and unconventional seals in terms of their geological and geomechanical
characteristics and their impact on trapping geometry and hydrocarbon columns. The TREATISE
also includes dry-hole
cases caused by seal failure to contrast with successful seals in producing reservoirs. An in-depth evaluation
and synthesis of current knowledge and methods is included, as well as an extensive seals database and bibliography.
A systematic methodology for the assessment of seal integrity and risk is proposed, along with a functional seals
classification. The DIGITAL
ANALOGS
Knowledge System has been enhanced to include additional seal parameters as a
by-product of this study.
The E&P
TREATISE on Understanding
Seals has just been completed in 2005. The treatise is delivered digitally and integrated with
DIGITAL
ANALOGS
Knowledge System seamlessly over the web.
Please contact our offices worldwide for more information.
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