This document summarizes using Esri GIS tools to model simple subsurface reservoir depletion using publicly available petroleum data from the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center. It describes how users can utilize built-in Esri extensions for 3D visualization and spatial analysis without specialized applications. As an example, a 15-year old reservoir depletion model originally developed by Statoil is replicated using Model Builder to reverse reservoir topography and simulate hydrocarbon flow upwards through hydrostatic pressure like a surface runoff model. While a simple approach, it demonstrates how experts can share models to help spread integration of GIS and geosciences to a wider audience through tools in ArcGIS Online, ArcMap, ArcScene, ArcGlobe and ArcGIS Explorer.

1. Subsurface 3D GIS
Simple Reservoir Depletion Modeling
Using RMOTC Public Petroleum Data
blog.zolnai.ca

2. The Premise
• Users have tools at their fingertips they can use as-is:
• Esri not meant to replace full Geoscience apps
• Spatial Analyst extension: grid, contour, faults
• Includes Model Builder to concatenate processes
• 3D Analyst Extension to display subsurface data
• ArcGIS Explorer to distribute to wider audience
• There are other tools to link to Geosciences applications:
• Esri interoperability extension (Z-Map etc. files)
• OpenSpirit program interface (Scan Utility etc.)
• Data models (PPDM, PPDM Lite etc.)
• Others like Schlumberger Ocean etc.

3. Example GIS integration
Surface Subsurf. Infrastr. Imagery
(productn, (wells, (blocks, (digital,
field) seismic) fields) analog)
OSP OSP Mthly. Image
Adptr. Adptr. Load Server
Community Data
ArcGIS
Scan
Utility
Server

4. The data
• RMOTC
• Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center
• NPR-3, Wyoming, Teapot Dome
• GIS, well and seismic data
• Released in 2005 at PNEC
• ArcGIS Online
• Posted same data on Esri community website
• Actual GIS dataset as-is and same terms as RMOTC
• 3D subsurface in ArcMap, ArcScene, ArcGlobe and ArcGIS Explorer
• Model Builder using a 15 year old idea from Statoil in Arc/Info
• Simple reservoir depletion model using current Esri tools

5. Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Ctr.

6. Reservoir Depletion Modeling
• Model Builder to apply old idea from previous generation
• Simply reverse reservoir topography
mimic the depletion of reservoir of its petroleum content
• Applying a surface run-off model
 the same way water flows downstream though gravity
• Petroleum will flow up-slope through hydrostatic recharge
• Very simple model with no rock properties etc.
• Not meant to compete with full reservoir models…
• but to show how experts can pass on models to others
 help spread the integration of GIS and Geosciences

7. Model Builder

8. ArcScene

9. ArcGlobe
Swipe

10. ArcGIS Explorer