Outcrop Analogues

Subsurface reservoirs are often characterised by the complex interaction between matrix characteristics (facies, layering, poro-permeability, wettability), diagenetic evolution and fractures characteristics (timing, style, sizes, distribution, orientation).

These relationship invariably control fluid flow in 3-D by enhancing or imparting primary reservoir properties. As a result, understanding all the key features interacting in a reservoir is fundamental for an adequate description of the reservoir. Understanding these relationships is key to correctly model storativity and connectivity and identify potentially highly productive intervals.

To achieve such comprehensive reservoir descriptions and understanding the geoscientist must make use of outcrop analogues, the evidence from which has to be integrated with subsurface datasets from the specific reservoir under study.

G.E.Plan Consulting has carried out several outcrop projects over different analogues of subsurface fields because outcrop analogues often supply a complete spatial distribution of the main key elements that also interact in subsurface where data resolution could be limited to well locations and to seismic resolution.