New Workflows in 3D Outcrop-analogue Reservoir Modeling

3D reservoir modelling has become state of the art in modern geoscience. The combination of high-performance workstations and advanced geomodelling software has allowed significant improvements in 2D and 3D seismic data processing and interpretation during the past decade. Spatial heterogeneities in facies, petrophysical properties and diagenetic overprint are critical parameters of targeted reservoirs. However, industry subsurface data from interpolated wells and 2d/3D surveys bear inherent limitations in both vertical and lateral resolution. High-resolution outcrop-analogue data sets of reservoir architecture and the lateral/vertical distribution of reservoir parameters allow to improve existing reservoir models and therefore to reduce exploration risk. The Eocene Sobrarbe Delta Complex (SDC) in the Tertiary Pyrenees Foreland Basin (PFB), Spain, shows exceptional exposure, which is laterally and vertically continuous at seismic scale. Since 2001, a comprehensive outcrop-based dataset has been collected by the GeoResources Steinbeis-TransferCentre at the Institute of Geosciences, Heidelberg University. This dataset covers the complete SDC from alluvial plains to basin. All data (lithofacies, depositional geometries, paleo-currents etc.) have been geo-referenced at resolution of ±5 m to ±10 m. The Sobrarbe Reservoir Project (SobraRes Project) analyses this exceptional outcrop-reservoir analogue system with industry software (Petrel; Schlumberger). New workflows in high resolution 3D reservoir modelling are developed.