Fault Modelling

Generally faults are considered as barriers within a hydrocarbon reservoir, often acting to divide a reservoir into a series of compartments. The ability of fluids (oil, gas or water) to pass across these barriers is dependent upon many different factors such as fault throw and reservoir rock type. The prediction of fault properties has a strong influence on the appraisal and development of fields.

Research is being conducted using both outcrop analogues and computer-based modelling. The aim of this research is to improve our ability to quantitatively predict subsurface fault properties and, ultimately, to improve hydrocarbon recovery from faulted reservoirs. Our academic partners in this area include University College Dublin, Heriot Watt University and the University of Leeds.

Fluid flow in a reservoir controlled by fault pattern