By
Roger Slatt, University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA
Description
Reservoir characterization as a discipline grew out of the recognition that more oil and gas could be extracted from reservoirs if the
geology of the reservoir was understood. Prior to that awakening, reservoir development and production were the realm of the petroleum
engineer. In fact, geologists of that time would have felt slighted if asked by corporate management to move from an exciting exploration
assignment to a more mundane assignment working with an engineer to improve a reservoir’s performance.
Slowly, reservoir characterization
came into its own as a quantitative, multidisciplinary endeavor requiring a vast array of skills and knowledge sets. Perhaps the biggest
attractor to becoming a reservoir geologist was the advent of fast computing, followed by visualization programs and theaters, all of
which allow young geoscientists to practice their computing skills in a highly technical work environment. Also, the discipline grew
in parallel with the evolution of data integration and the advent of asset teams in the petroleum industry. Finally, reservoir characterization
flourished with the quantum improvements that have occurred in geophysical acquisition and processing techniques and that allow geophysicists
to image internal reservoir complexities.
Included in series
Handbook of Petroleum Exploration and Production
Audience:
petroleum geologists, geophysicists and engineers, explorationists
