Reservoir characterization requires integration of engineering, geology, and geophysics, with rock physics supplying a key link. In this volume, geophysical methods, especially time-lapse 3D seismic, are emphasized, and a range of enhanced oil-recovery methods (EOR) are discussed, showing the need to accurately describe a reservoir before and after production.

A significantly expanded new edition of this practical guide to rock physics and geophysical interpretation for reservoir geophysicists and engineers.

Geophysical techniques apply the principles of physics for study of physical responses of rocks under passive or active perturbation. Geophysical data acquisition, processing and interpretation are driven by established scientific principles. Data from geophysical tools provide coverage with spatially continuous high density measurements. Well data like cores and well logs provide vertically high resolution measurements at the well location, however, the distribution of wells is sparse and discontinuous. The detailed spatial coverage from geophysical data are calibrated with analysis of well logs, pressure tests, cores, geologic depositional knowledge and other information from appraisal wells. The methods use high precision sensors that measure the properties on the earth's surface, in oceans, in wells and from the air, also from satellites. They measure changes of physical properties and calibrate the measured geophysical attributes with rock properties. The data play important role in developing a gross reservoir model. The reservoir architecture or structure and the reservoir rock and fluid properties are derived from the analysis and data integration. Other reservoir properties that can affect geophysical measurements are density, oil viscosity, stresses, and fractures. The interpretation has inherent ambiguity or multiple interpretations. Geophysics contributes to reservoir characterization, reservoir monitoring and its management by adding maximum value in improving production plan and by minimizing risk e.g., risk of dry hole, risk of blow out, risk of in-efficient recovery process, among others. Multiple geologic parameters are assessed with the same geophysical data.

Researchers in the field of exploration geophysics have developed new methods for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of gravity and magnetic data, based on detailed investigations of bore wells around the globe. Fractal Models in Exploration Geophysics describes fractal-based models for characterizing these complex subsurface geological structures. The authors introduce the inverse problem using a fractal approach which they then develop with the implementation of a global optimization algorithm for seismic data: very fast simulated annealing (VFSA). This approach provides high-resolution inverse modeling results—particularly useful for reservoir characterization. - Serves as a valuable resource for researchers studying the application of fractals in exploration, and for practitioners directly applying field data for geo-modeling - Discusses the basic principles and practical applications of time-lapse seismic reservoir monitoring technology - application rapidly advancing topic - Provides the fundamentals for those interested in reservoir geophysics and reservoir simulation study - Demonstrates an example of reservoir simulation for enhanced oil recovery using CO2 injection