Dynamic leakage of faults during differential depletion: Theory, models, and examples from the Niger delta
- Shell Petroleum Development Co. of Nigeria, Lagos (Nigeria)
Previous studies of fault sealing have addressed possible fault leakage during secondary migration due to the effects of increased hydrocarbon-water capillary pressure, fracturing, or small-scale incremental fault movements. Of equal importance to production geologists is the failure and leakage of faults during field development due to differential depletion of adjacent fault blocks. This paper examines the unique problems associated with this dynamic leakage of faults. It is theoretically shown that the fault sealing mechanism, and the extent of the seal, directly influences the failure process which in turn results in a variety of favorable and unfavorable effects on field development. The qualitative models give considerable insight into such aspects as oil-column expansion and resaturation losses, interfault block aquifer support (with important implications to material balance calculations), possible leakage or spillage of oil across faults, and potential fault failure during (re)injection projects. Examples of dynamic fault leakage are presented from selected fields of the Niger delta.
- OSTI ID:
- 5741469
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-910978-; CODEN: GEOBE
- Journal Information:
- Geobyte; (United States), Vol. 75:8; Conference: International conference and exhibition of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG): the way ahead-hydrocarbons for the 1990s, London (United Kingdom), 29 Sep - 3 Oct 1991; ISSN 0885-6362
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The Akaso field, Nigeria: Use of integrated 3-D seismic/fault slicing/clay shearing on fault trapping and dynamic leakage
Fault patterns in Benin River and Makaraba Fields: A regional play type for the Niger Delta
Related Subjects
GEOLOGIC TRAPS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
LEAKS
NIGERIA
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
MIGRATION
NIGER RIVER
PETROLEUM
AFRICA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
MINERAL RESOURCES
RESOURCES
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration