SS 1.

Modeling a structurally complex reservoir - Boquerón field – eastern Venezuelan thrust belt
C. L. Farmer *, R. J. Marksteiner, R. A. Clark, and R. L. Hedberg. BP Venezuela Holdings Ltd.

Summary
A structural and reservoir model was constructed for Boquerón Field in order to plan locations for development and injection
wells. Four wells were drilled which tested the validity of assumptions used for the model. The deterministic approach for
building the model was satisfactory in terms of predicting the geometry and distribution of the reservoir in areas close to well
control. However, in flank areas the structural geometry was not accurately modeled. Depth conversion of the seismic did not
originally incorporate complex velocity variations in the imbricated Carapita shale above the reservoir. The structural model was
corrected by creating a time-depth cube that accounted for these velocity variations.

Introduction
Boquerón Field is located in the Eastern Venezuela Basin along the El Furrial Trend approximately 20km north east of El Furrial
Field (Figure 1). The field, discovered in 1989, has cumulative production of about 44 million barrels (12/2004). Current daily
production averages between 8,000 and 10,000 barrels of 28-33 API high asphaltene oil. The depth of the reservoir ranges
between 15800 and 17200 ft. TVDSS. Ultimate recoverable reserves for the field are estimated to be about 85 MMBO.

The trap is a structurally complex, thrust–faulted, ramp anticline cut by several strike slip (tear) faults. The deformation history
of the field is complex, with multiple stages of compression and transpression. Major thrust faults and anticlinal axes are oriented
perpendicular to the maximum compressive stress (Figure 2). Cross section B-B’ (Figure 3) illustrates the structural geometry of
the field which formed as a ramp anticline in the hanging wall of the Viboral-Boquerón Thrust. The imbricated Carapita shale
above the Pirital Thrust is also shown on the cross section.

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Modeling a structurally complex reservoir - Boquerón field

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Modeling a structurally complex reservoir - Boquerón field

Reservoir Model
A reservoir description and modeling study for Boquerón was conducted (2001) in order to identify gas injection and
development well targets and to model field depletion. A coarse grid, deterministic approach was used to build the Boquerón
reservoir model with the understanding that the model would be revised and rescaled if it did not adequately describe the
reservoir. The model was constructed using a single seismic map at the top of the Naricual limestone. Intermediate horizons
were generated using well thickness, and faults were assumed to be vertical through the reservoir.

The main reservoir interval, locally termed “Naricual Inferior”, has a gross thickness of about 900 ft and consists of Cretaceous
and Paleocene age fluvial and deltaic sandstones capped by a marine limestone. The reservoir zonation used for the model is
shown in Figure 4. The strong seismic reflector at the top of the Naricual Lime was mapped to generate the original reservoir
model. With additional work the weaker reflectors at the top and base of the main reservoir interval were mapped and
incorporated into the revised structural model. A fence diagram with porosity distribution for the main reservoir is illustrated in
Figure 5.

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Modeling a structurally complex reservoir - Boquerón field

Conclusions
An excellent primary production history match was achieved from the model by adjusting fault transmissibility to segregate
major pressure compartments. Based on the history match and results from development drilling the team learned:
x Alignment of the model grid with structural strike was essential for modeling the complex structural geometry of the
field.
x The relatively coarse geomodel grid with 1:1 correspondence between RMS and VIP cells saved time when reiteration
was necessary to check and refine the model.
x Deterministic stratigraphic layering was adequate and stochastic modeling was not necessary.
x The deterministic approach which locked the model to well porosities and extrapolated porosity reduction with depth
was adequate.
x Assumption of vertical faults through the reservoir section was generally acceptable.

The original depth model did not account for complex velocity variations in overlying thrusted Carapita Shale. Varying
velocities in the imbricated wedges of shale affected depth conversion away from well control. Flank dips were steeper than
predicted, and depth prediction away from wells was not reliable. Development drilling results indicated that additional velocity
analysis and seismic mapping would be necessary to better define the structural geometry and connectivity of reservoir sands.

A more accurate depth conversion was achieved by detailed interpretation and velocity analysis of the shallower section. The
model was corrected by creating a time-depth cube that accounted for varying velocities in overlying thrusted shales and
siltstones. Boquerón Field was re-mapped seismically with emphasis on actual fault plane geometries, and with addition of two
seismic horizons to define the middle and base of the reservoir interval. The revised structural model (built in Earthvision) more
accurately reflects the reservoir geometry with steeper dips in flank areas as encountered by the new development wells.

References
Farmer, C. L., R. J. Marksteiner, and R. A. Clark, 2004. Modeling a structurally complex reservoir – Boquerón Field – Eastern
Venezuelan Thrust Belt. Oral presentation and published abstract, AAPG Annual Convention - 2004, Dallas.

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Note: This reference list is a copy-edited version of the reference list submitted by the
author. Reference lists for the 2005 SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts have
been copy edited so that references provided with the online metadata for each paper will
achieve a high degree of linking to cited sources that appear on the Web.

Modeling a structurally complex reservoir - Boquerón field – eastern Venezuelan thrust belt
REFERENCES
Farmer, C. L., R. J. Marksteiner, and R. A. Clark, 2004, Modeling a structurally complex
reservoir — Boquerón Field — Eastern Venezuelan Thrust Belt: AAPG 2004 Annual
Convention.