Hard Rock and Basement

Dive Deep into Fractured Reservoirs and Uncover Their Economic Potential

Metamorphic, intrusive, and extrusive (volcanic) igneous rocks are prevalent around the world. Not only are many of the world’s mined rare earth and other minerals associated with them, these rock formations also provide important conduits and storage vessels for the migration and containment of fluids (and associated heat) throughout the Earth's crust. Being predominantly crystalline in nature, these rocks typically have negligible primary porosity, with any present-day pore space (secondary porosity) typically being formed through past surface erosion/weathering, diagenetic and tectonic processes.

Geological processes, including the formation of inhomogeneous fractures and dissolution pores, can create highly favorable porosity and permeability networks within these unconventional reservoirs. When combined with a suitable sealing caprock, this can give rise to substantial storage potential for hot geothermal fluids or for hydrocarbons of varying forms.

Characterization of basement reservoirs involves the detailed study and understanding of dynamic geological, geophysical, and engineering aspects to assess the reservoir poro-perm properties and behavior. Multi-disciplinary, innovative tools are essential to delineate complex fracture geometries and assess the potential storage capacity and flow of fluids.

Attain accurate results in fractured reservoirs

Well and Seismic Interpretation
Reservoir Characterization
Well Planning
Stratigraphic Interpretation

Well and Seismic Interpretation

Determine accurate lithology distribution, sealing capabilities, and presence of fracture networks.

Execute well based petrophysical and rock physics analysis for fracture analysis

Evaluate presence, distribution and orientation of fracture systems using image log interpretation
Model impact of fracture density, orientation and fluid fill on azimuthal and stacked seismic
Assess feasibility of seismic for fracture detection and characterization

Apply advanced seismic data enhancements and interpretation

Enhance signal to noise to reveal subtle lineaments and fracture related discontinuities in hard rocks
Extract fine detail through advanced 3D textural attribute calculations
Uncover discrete fracture networks, delineate geometry, orientation, and connectivity of fractures and faults within the basement rocks to increase understanding of fluid flow and reservoir productivity

Produce 2D and 3D velocity models

Improve accuracy of depth structure predictions for volumetric estimates
Provide inputs for continuous and discrete fracture network modelling for flow simulation

Reservoir Characterization

Well-informed analysis ensures reliable results. Employ advanced high-resolution reservoir characterization models and workflows to reconcile subsurface properties and behavior.

Condition seismic data

Improve reservoir and fracture detection through pre-stack gather conditioning and post-stack coherent noise removal to enhance signal-to-noise ratio
Removal of acquisition and processing artifacts benefits fracture network and seismic attribute analysis

Conduct advanced subsurface analysis

Extract maximum value from azimuthal seismic using unique analysis, conditioning, and interpretation tools for anisotropy
Improve lithology and layer thickness predictions through correct handling of high (impedance) contrast layering in the seismic inversion process
Invert seismic amplitude and azimuthal variations to determine anisotropic elastic properties in seal and reservoir sections for mechanical property prediction
Capture uncertainty in azimuthal and multi-component seismic predictions for robust interpretations of petrophysical, fracture, and stress properties

Predict property volumes and uncertainties for input to reservoir and fracture network modelling and flow simulation workflows

Integrate well and seismic based structural, textural, velocity and impedance based azimuthal attributes to determine fracture and differential stress properties of importance in flow
Improve production forecasting through generation of high-quality model inputs that capture detail and uncertainty in the seismic signal

Well Planning

Execute robust technical workflows for optimal economics, increased fluid recovery, and efficient drilling.

Optimize well design based on reservoir properties

Enhance location and design of wells based on a comprehensive understanding of the full geological section
Target areas of favorable porosity, permeability, fracturing, and reservoir connectivity

Maximize production

Optimize trajectories to intersect most productive fracture systems, maximize production/flow rates, and improve field life expectancy with fewer wells
Avoid wellbore to wellbore fracture communication problems

Minimize operational cost

Refine well spacing to minimize operational and drilling costs
Mitigate against drilling hazards and losses to reduce non-productive time

Stratigraphic Interpretation

Leveraging reservoir characterization to acquire detailed insights into rock and fluid properties, enabling well-informed decision-making with the latest technology.

Perform seismic data quality analysis

Clay volume
Porosity
Saturation
Permeability

Hard Rock & Basement

Gain Unparalleled Insight into Hard Rock & Basement Reservoirs

Dive Deep into Fractured Reservoirs and Uncover Their Economic Potential

Attain accurate results in fractured reservoirs

Explore Our Resources

WEBINAR: Fracture Imaging for Optimal Well Development Planning

CASE STUDY: Seismic Reservoir Characterization - Building a Predictive Model

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