Simulation of Brine Reflux and Geothermal Circulation in Large Carbonate Platforms: An Attempt to Predict Dolomite Geo-Bodies

M. Pal, and C. Taberner
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V.
Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Published in 2011

Significant volumes of the worlds proved reserves are in dolostone reservoirs. Scope for recovery and success/upside of new exploration plays depend on the chances of encountering dolostone reservoirs with good reservoir properties. Although dolostones make excellent reservoirs in favourable cases, its prediction has not yet been achieved, as it is the most challenging diagenetic process to predict. It is believed that the dolostone reservoirs are formed primarily due to diagenetic processes involving brine reflux due to density gradient or due to brine reflux generated by geothermal convection.

In this paper we have used COMSOL to model brine reflux and geothermal dolomitization process in large carbonate platforms. These models are used to prediction of shapes of dolomite bodies. We have also used the models to predict the changes in porosity and permeability caused due to the dolomitization process.

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