Integration of Seismic and Resistivity Methodsto Map the Distribution of Oil Sand Bodies andWater Sand Channels in the McMurray Fm:Mineable and SAGD Case Studies

摘要

High-resolution geophysical methods capable ofimaging the subsurface geology in three-dimensions areproving to be important tools for the delineation ofbitumen-rich zones and water saturated channels in theMcMurray Formation of Northeast Alberta. At anoperating oil sands mine the feasibility of water disposalin the basal water sands of the McMurray Formation wasinvestigated. Seismic reflection data, collected originallyfor oil sands delineation, was supplemented with drilling,seismic, resistivity, and borehole logging surveys to mapthe sand channels. Isopach maps of the basal water sand and structural contour maps of the Devonian limestonesurface delineate a channel that is the target for thehorizontal wells. At in-situ steaming operations (SteamAssisted Gravity Drainage) the horizontal well pairs mustbe located in the zones that can exploit the maximumconnectivity between bitumen saturated sections of theMcMurray Formation. Characterizing the geologicalcomplexity of the McMurray Formation (channelgeometry, shale lenses, Devonian collapse features) iscommonly done using a dense pattern of explorationwells. Geophysical methods offer a more cost-effectiveway of targeting the exploration wells to maximize the