Search

Hard Rock & Basement

Gain Unparalleled Insight into Hard Rock & Basement Reservoirs

Dive Deep into Fractured Reservoirs and Uncover Their Economic Potential

Metamorphic, intrusive, and extrusive (volcanic) igneous rocks are prevalent around the world.  Not only are many of the world’s mined rare earth and other minerals associated with them, these rock formations also provide important conduits and storage vessels for the migration and containment of fluids (and associated heat) throughout the Earth's crust.  Being predominantly crystalline in nature, these rocks typically have negligible primary porosity, with any present-day pore space (secondary porosity) typically being formed through past surface erosion/weathering, diagenetic and tectonic processes.


Geological processes, including the formation of inhomogeneous fractures and dissolution pores, can create highly favorable porosity and permeability networks within these unconventional reservoirs. When combined with a suitable sealing caprock, this can give rise to substantial storage potential  for hot geothermal fluids or for hydrocarbons of varying forms. 


Characterization of basement reservoirs involves the detailed study and understanding of dynamic geological, geophysical, and engineering aspects to assess the reservoir poro-perm properties and behavior. Multi-disciplinary, innovative tools are essential to delineate complex fracture geometries and assess the potential storage capacity and flow of fluids. 

Attain accurate results in fractured reservoirs

Well and Seismic Interpretation

Determine accurate lithology distribution, sealing capabilities, and presence of fracture networks.

Execute well based petrophysical and rock physics analysis for fracture analysis
  • Evaluate presence, distribution and orientation of fracture systems using image log interpretation
  • Model impact of fracture density, orientation and fluid fill on azimuthal and stacked seismic
  • Assess feasibility of seismic for fracture detection and characterization

Apply advanced seismic data enhancements and interpretation
  • Enhance signal to noise to reveal subtle lineaments and fracture related discontinuities in hard rocks
  • Extract fine detail through advanced 3D textural attribute calculations
  • Uncover discrete fracture networks, delineate geometry, orientation, and connectivity of fractures and faults within the basement rocks to increase understanding of fluid flow and reservoir productivity
Produce 2D and 3D velocity models
  • Improve accuracy of depth structure predictions for volumetric estimates
  • Provide inputs for continuous and discrete fracture network modelling for flow simulation
Reservoir Characterization

Well-informed analysis ensures reliable results. Employ advanced high-resolution reservoir characterization models and workflows to reconcile subsurface properties and behavior.

Condition seismic data
  • Improve reservoir and fracture detection through pre-stack gather conditioning and post-stack coherent noise removal to enhance signal-to-noise ratio
  • Removal of acquisition and processing artifacts benefits fracture network and seismic attribute analysis
Conduct advanced subsurface analysis
  • Extract maximum value from azimuthal seismic using unique analysis, conditioning, and interpretation tools for anisotropy
  • Improve lithology and layer thickness predictions through correct handling of high (impedance) contrast layering in the seismic inversion process
  • Invert seismic amplitude and azimuthal variations to determine anisotropic elastic properties in seal and reservoir sections for mechanical property prediction
  • Capture uncertainty in azimuthal and multi-component seismic predictions for robust interpretations of petrophysical, fracture, and stress properties
Predict property volumes and uncertainties for input to reservoir and fracture network modelling and flow simulation workflows
  • Integrate well and seismic based structural, textural, velocity and impedance based azimuthal attributes to determine fracture and differential stress properties of importance in flow
  • Improve production forecasting through generation of high-quality model inputs that capture detail and uncertainty in the seismic signal
Well Planning

Execute robust technical workflows for optimal economics, increased fluid recovery, and efficient drilling.

Optimize well design based on reservoir properties
  • Enhance location and design of wells based on a comprehensive understanding of the full geological section
  • Target areas of favorable porosity, permeability, fracturing, and reservoir connectivity
Maximize production
  • Optimize trajectories to intersect most productive fracture systems, maximize production/flow rates, and improve field life expectancy with fewer wells
  • Avoid wellbore to wellbore fracture communication problems
Minimize operational cost
  • Refine well spacing to minimize operational and drilling costs
  • Mitigate against drilling hazards and losses to reduce non-productive time
Stratigraphic Interpretation
Leveraging reservoir characterization to acquire detailed insights into rock and fluid properties, enabling well-informed decision-making with the latest technology.
Perform seismic data quality analysis
  • Clay volume
  • Porosity
  • Saturation
  • Permeability

Get In Touch

We are dedicated to providing unique customer-oriented reservoir characterization solutions. Let’s talk about how we can assist you in making the most efficient and accurate decisions.
Talk to an Expert