Numerical Models & Virtual Clastic Systems:  Revelations for Interpretive Methods and Uncertainty.

Lisa Goggin, Toa Sun, Maisha Amaru, Stan Jayr, Brian Willis, Sarah Baumgardner, Rebecca Caldwell.

Abstract:

A significant focus of the oil and gas industry is on interpretive techniques designed to illuminate stratigraphic architectural elements of clastic depositional systems. Interpreters must leverage their geologic experience and need sufficient data to isolate prospective targets. When either data or experience are lacking, geologic or geophysical analogs must be sought to reduce interpretive uncertainty.

Computational stratigraphy, an emergent physics-based numerical modeling technology, produces digital, scalable, process-driven, geologically consistent clastic facies models for a wide range of environments of deposition. These models can be converted to synthetic seismic, can be sampled to match field wells and are proving valuable as analogs for predictive facies distributions. Morpho-dynamic facies distribution mapping and analysis is possible. Interpreters can track and measure how depositional systems evolve, observe how sediments are deposited and eroded, evaluate 3D morphologies and distributions of both reservoir and non-reservoir facies and therefore can more accurately model potential field performance.

For the first time, we are generating geologic and seismic analogs that can be fully evaluated in 3D. Depositional layers can be stripped back to reveal bed-scale facies variability. Extractions of 3D lithologic geobodies and their resultant seismic geomorphologies is demonstrating that our interpretive methods may oversimplify our understanding of the subsurface. This awareness is impacting how we analyze our data and is stimulating development of refined interpretive methodologies

Dr. Lisa Renee’ Goggin 

Education:

Indiana University (1988-1999)

Ph.D.: Major/Minor – Geology/Geochemistry (1999)

M.S.:  Major – Geology (1990)

Experience:

      Chevron Corporation (22 years); Amax Coal Company (2 years), Internships (Exxon, Amoco, BP)

      Current Position:  Sr. Research Geologist; Chevron Energy Technology Company

The choice to pursue a career in the petroleum industry began with an undergraduate summer job mud-logging exploration wells in the Illinois Basin and numerous internships in the petroleum and mining industries as a graduate student.   Her Masters research, a provenance study of turbidites in the Wrangellia Terrane (Alaska), led to experiences of a lifetime including personal encounters with grizzly bears and wolves, hiking on glaciers and a love of the mountains.   After completing a Ph.D. focused on finding geochemical marker beds in shales, Lisa joined Chevron Corporation.

Her early career included exploration and development assignments ranging from lease acquisition to drilling wells, brown-field revitalization, geologic consulting for facilities design, describing core, wireline log analysis, and serving as a global instructor for field schools and seismic interpretation and visualization software.   She is currently part of an exploration-focused strategic research team, has received multiple patents and has numerous patent applications on file.  

Professional associations: Registered Professional Geologist (ASBOG), member of AAPG, GSA, HGS, Sigma Xi & Sigma Zeta Honor Societies and is currently serving on the Board of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute.