Dynamic Fault-Seal Breakdown - Investigation in the North Sea Egret Field

The ability to predict the effect of faults on locating remaining hydrocarbon is critical to optimal well-placement, reservoir-management, and field development decisions. The tools and techniques available for realistic differentiation between sealing and nonsealing faults have presented a great challenge to the industry. This paper discusses the results of an integrated study that incorporated detailed geology and reservoir engineering to understand production behavior of a complexly faulted high-pressure/high-temperature field in the North Sea.

Introduction

Predicting fault-seal breakdown is a challenging task because it involves many interrelated factors and complex relationships. Knowledge of these factors is both nonunique and subjective.