Fractured reservoir modeling by discrete fracture network and seismic modeling in the Tarim Basin, China

Abstract

Fractured reservoirs are an important target for oil and gas exploration in the Tarim Basin and the prediction of this type of reservoir is challenging. Due to the complicated fracture system in the Tarim Basin, the conventional AVO inversion method based on HTI theory to predict fracture development will result in some errors. Thus, an integrated research concept for fractured reservoir prediction is put forward in this paper. Seismic modeling plays a bridging role in this concept, and the establishment of an anisotropic fracture model by Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) is the key part. Because the fracture system in the Tarim Basin shows complex anisotropic characteristics, it is vital to build an effective anisotropic model. Based on geological, well logging and seismic data, an effective anisotropic model of complex fracture systems can be set up with the DFN method. The effective elastic coefficients, and the input data for seismic modeling can be calculated. Then seismic modeling based on this model is performed, and the seismic response characteristics are analyzed. The modeling results can be used in the following AVO inversion for fracture detection. © 2011 China University of Petroleum (Beijing) and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.