Using sedimentological prior information to control realism in reservoir models

Geological parameters within reservoir models define the geometry of the reservoir and the distribution of reservoir properties such as porosity and permeability. These parameters are introduced into numerical reservoir models to reproduce a geological event, for example, channel geometry, fault throw, and
facies proportions. The variation of these parameters can produce significant changes in the production profile of a reservoir model. Controlling the variation is required to generate reservoir models with geological characteristics that can be considered realistic. The conventional method that the hydrocarbon industry uses to evaluate the reliability of a reservoir model is the history matching
process, which is based on building a reservoir model consistent with the production history. Reservoir history matching has been identified as an inverse problem. The solutions require the specification of an a priori component of a solution (prior information) to constrain the nature of the inverse solution. Here is a method that can be used in the history matching process to control the realism of sedimentological features.