The Saturation Property Modeling workflow

Saturation Property Modeling is the second workflow followed by the Saturation Function Modeling workflow in the Saturation strip (model > Saturation). The main purpose of this workflow is to populate your 3D grid with saturation properties, based on your saturation function model.

The workflow starts with creating a new saturation property model. In the next steps, you assign a saturation function model, grid properties, specify a saturation calculation method, and finally run the model. You can use the resultant saturation grid properties in volumetric calculations.

The Saturation Property Modeling workflow (highlighted in yellow).    click to enlarge

Saturation Property Model is a container which holds all the associated metadata such as:

  • Function Model  The saturation function model which is used to populate the 3D grid with saturation properties.
  • Grid Properties  The grid properties (i.e. facies, porosity, permeability, net rock) which are required by the function model.
  • Property Calculation Method  The saturation calculation method (i.e. cell center or cell average).

Saturation Grid Properties are the resultant grid properties. Once you have run your model, they will be available in the JewelExplorer (3D Grids > Your 3D Grid > Properties > Your Saturation Property Model > Sg, So, Sw). They are read-only and created with the suffix of the saturation calculation method.

You can copy ( ), rename ( ), or delete ( ) the existing saturation property models via the toolbar on the Create Saturation Property Model form.

Saturation modeling requires QC processes at two different levels:

  1. QC at Well Level  Once you complete the Saturation Function Modeling workflow, you can QC your model at well level. You can create saturation logs and compare the modeled Sw (i.e. based on your saturation function model) against the observed Sw (i.e. from well log interpretation or from core analysis). This is to ensure that everything has proceeded as intended and that you are able to reproduce the saturation match obtained in the external petrophysical work.
  2. QC at 3D Grid Level  Once you complete the Saturation Property Modeling workflow, you can QC your model at grid level. You can compare the created saturation grid properties against the saturation logs. This QC step may reveal some discrepancies due to the upscaling of the rock properties. A pragmatic solution to achieve a match between the two is to re-tune the saturation functions or revisit upscaling.
Keep in mind that the saturation function model parameters can be scale dependent. When you create saturation logs for QC purposes, the resolution of the modeled Sw will depend on the resolution of the assigned input (on the Rock Properties form). You can assign either high resolution logs or their associated upscaled pseudo logs. Even though you apply the saturation function model at the grid cell level (via the Saturation Property Modeling workflow), you can validate its accuracy by comparing to high resolution logs or low resolution logs, i.e. upscaled logs.

To know how the saturation property models work with multiple realizations, see Modeling and Visualizing multiple realizations.

The Saturation Property Modeling workflow consists of the following steps:

Creating a saturation property model

Assigning data to a saturation property model

Running the saturation property model