In Digital Geology
we bring a field trip into the office environment
using exhibits of real geology
like Rock Slabs, Cores
and Fossils.
We combine these, with digital overlays
to provide hands on reservoir characterization analysis
underpinning key upstream business decisions.
This is done at various scales of geological analysis
ranging from 'Basin scale'
to 'Grain scale'.
each with their associated work flow
and related upstream decision.
Let me take you on a virtual tour
along the various Digital Geology exhibits
at Shell's Learning Center in Rijswijk, in the Netherlands.
Let's start with the 'Basin scale' exhibit.
At this scale, exploration geologists analyze the geological evolution
of large sedimentary basins through time
and the associated processes of hydrocarbon formation and trapping.
For this, global data sets and plate tectonic reconstructions
are used, which show the development of depositional environment
and plate movements through time, which are crucial
for the understanding of the development of petroleum systems
and the formation of hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Once a basin has been identified
we zoom in further to the 'Play scale'
at which we try to assess the various play elements
like the presence of hydrocarbon charge
reservoir development
as well as the presence of seal and structure
in order to arrive at the play map
that defines "how" and "where" a play is likely to work.
This could underpin the decision to acquire new acreage
for example, or to drill an exploration well.
Once an exploration well has been drilled
the newly acquired data, like well logs
cores, and fossils are integrated with the seismic data
at the 'Environmental scale' to interpret the depositional environment
as this governs the overall reservoir architecture and therefore
the fluid flow in the reservoir.
A range of conceptual geological models are constructed
that provide guidance on what type of field development would be appropriate
and whether further data acquisition and appraisal is required
in order to arrive at a robust investment decision.
Once an economic field development has been established
and more well data has been acquired
it becomes important to predict, in more detail
the reservoir architecture and fluid flow, away from the wells
to optimize field developments.
This analysis is done at the 'Facies scale' exhibit
for which a dedicated, fully cored research well was drilled
together with the University of Barcelona and Schlumberger.
The acquired core data is linked through augmented reality
with log data as well as core description and interpretation results
for subsurface uncertainties to be captured in a range
of 3D subsurface models
to underpin field development decisions.
Once a field has been in production for some time
there are later field life decisions to be taken
such as the choice of secondary and tertiary recovery schemes
This requires a thorough understanding
of the composition of the pore network
fluid properties, reservoir heterogeneity
as well as porosity and permeability distributions.
This analysis is done at the 'Grain scale'.
at which small scale heterogeneity
can be analyzed on both clastic as well as carbonate rock slabs.
Finally, the results of the analysis at the various scales
can be visualized and integrated
in Shell's Virtual Reality Center, the iScope
In this collaborative environment
multi-disciplinary teams can come together
to jointly interpret and discuss the outcomes of the various analyses
to arrive at a common understanding underpinning effective business decisions.
The Digital Geology concept
has proven to be an exciting, new, and innovative learning approach
for our young professionals.
It also serves as a platform that promotes collaboration
between the various disciplines within the company
and provides a permanent exhibition of
subsurface work flows and technologies.
The next steps are to acquire additional digital outcrop data sets
like drone footage and panoramic photographs
to be included in the exhibits
further enhancing the virtual experience.
Watch this space!