An integrated, multiscale geomodel of the northern Delaware basin

Modern reservoir characterization approaches can be greatly aided by incorporating all available data and interpretations in a three dimensional geomodel. Our goal is to offer a regional perspective to augment the interpretations from local, field-scale 3D models developed by the industry. In this work we highlight the benefits of continuous development of the geomodel for the characterization of the facies architecture of an unconventional play. We generated a three dimensional, faulted Delaware Basin geomodel, containing over 1 billion cells, including stratigraphic, petrophysical, core description, and production data for the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp intervals. The model is based on over 7,000 correlated wells, 650 wells with facies interpretations and approximately 9,000 horizontal production wells with analyzed decline curves and completion data. Additionally, a high-quality 3D seismic volume in the northeastern part of the Delaware Basin reveals the complex stratigraphic architecture of key producing intervals in the Permian Basin. The 3D volume, combined with regional 2D seismic lines, enabled refining the interpretation of the stratigraphic architecture of the Wolfcampian to Guadalupian shelf margin. This allows us to relate the slope to basin strata imaged in the 3D seismic to the well-established stratigraphic architecture of the surrounding platforms. The 3D seismic volume reveals the seismic geomorphology of several key intervals. There are two areas of focus: 1) Testing of the facies model derived from log and core analyses using different deterministic and stochastic attribute distribution techniques; and 2) Exploring the influence of geological trends on productivity. This work demonstrates the value of a multiscale, regional perspective to the practice of 3D reservoir characterization in the Delaware Basin.