Stochastic modeling

Abstract

To describe and visualize reservoirs and reservoir heterogeneities, geoscientists combine classic geoscience principles with geologic engineering, statistics, computer technology, and graphics to create 3D reservoir architecture representations (spatial arrangement of facies) with associated 3D arrays of rock properties. The resulting reservoir description honors all data from all disciplines and is easily stored, displayed, edited, and updated as additional data (static and/or dynamic) become available. While the reservoir description always contains many deterministic elements and features, some elements are most conveniently generated by stochastic models. The current emphasis on geologic quantification coupled with high-power computers and graphics will within a few years convert geoscience disciplines in general and production geology in particular to "screen-oriented disciplines" much like geophysics. The petroleum industry should benefit greatly in terms of increased effectiveness and interdisciplinary communications because totally integrated teams are responsible for generating, updating, and using (for forecasting and reservoir management) the same 3D geologic domain with all its intricate detail.