Reservoir simulation and geomechanical modeling in Leming Lake, Alberta

John Jianlin Zhang, Tony Settari, Laurence R. Bentley

This paper deals with reservoir simulation and geomechanical modeling. The physics of fluid flow and geomechanical systems is expressed as a set of conservation equations and simulation is their numerical solutions. GEOSIM is used to carry out simulation of a coupled reservoir and geomechanical model created using well logs, core measurements and seismic data. Reservoir simulation shows a spatial pattern of pressure, temperature and saturation changes around wells, which can be used to predict the change in seismic response. Geomechanical modeling shows significant displacements in the reservoir and in areas far away from the reservoir, but significant changes in stress and strain fields are mainly limited to the reservoir. Elastic moduli decrease due to exsolved gas released by lowering pressure and high temperature after a period of production. The moduli will be further reduced due to horizontal fractures predicted by geomechanical modeling. The cumulative effect is expected to be strong enough to be detected by time-lapse seismic data.