A method to generate small-scale, high-resolution sedimentary bedform architecture models representing realistic...

Area of Science:

• Sedimentary Geology
• Computational Geosciences
• Petrophysics

Background:

• Small-scale sedimentary structures are crucial for understanding subsurface fluid flow.
• Incorporating depositional heterogeneity into physically-rational bedform models is challenging.
• Existing models lack the resolution to capture fine-scale architectural details.

Purpose of the Study:

• To expand open-source codes for generating high-resolution 3D digital models of sedimentary bedforms.
• To enable the generation of models with characteristic depositional architecture (laminae and matrix).
• To facilitate petrophysical property assignment for advanced analyses.

Main Methods:

• Modification of existing open-source codes to generate 3D binary field models.
• Population of binary models with petrophysical properties using a textural approach.
• Application of models for statistical characterization, property upscaling, and fluid flow simulation.

Main Results:

• Successful generation of high-resolution 3D digital models of sedimentary bedforms.
• Demonstration of model utility in simulating buoyant fluid (CO2) migration and saturation distribution.
• Provision of example models and scripts for common facies and property assignments.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced codes provide a powerful tool for creating realistic 3D geological models.
• These models improve the understanding of fluid flow in heterogeneous subsurface environments.
• The approach supports detailed petrophysical analysis and simulation of geological processes like CO2 sequestration.