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Three-Dimensional Petrophysical Modelling and Volumetric Analysis to Model the Reservoir Potential of the Kupe Field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

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Abstract

This study addresses the three-dimensional (3D) petrophysical modelling and volumetric analysis of the Farewell Reservoir in the Kupe Field in the southern Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. The qualitative petrophysical analysis of the Kupe South-1, Kupe South-3, Kupe South-4 and Kupe-6 wells helped to model the lithological and mineralogical composition of the reservoir, while the quantitative interpretation was used to identify the shale volume, porosity type and distribution, and water and hydrocarbon saturations. A 3D petrophysical model was developed on the basis of the petrophysical analysis, and it showed the spatial distribution and propagation of the petrophysical properties within the reservoir formation of the Kupe Field. Moreover, a volumetric analysis was conducted to estimate the gas reserves and probable reserve growth of the Kupe Field. The results indicated that the gross thickness of the studied reservoir formation ranges from 226.47 to 381 m, while the net reservoir thickness is between 12.95 and 140.2 m. The shale volume lies between 17.3% and 22.4%, while the total and effective porosities are between 17.9% and 27% and between 15.1% and 23%, respectively. The study also shows the presence of net pay zones with an aggregate ranging between 12.95 m and 82.45 m with variable hydrocarbon saturations. The hydrocarbon saturation is between 62.5% and 70.8%, while the water saturation is between 29.2% and 37.5%. The volumetric analysis indicates that the Kupe Gas Field contains 654.6 Bcf (18.5 × 109 m3) of gas, while the recoverable gas is estimated to be 389.87 Bcf (11.03 × 109 m3) at 50% probability. The volumetric estimation also confirms that the possible reserve growth of the Kupe Field is expected to be 60.8 Bcf (1.72 ×  109 m3) of gas in the case of 50% probability estimation. The 3D models not only validate the drilled wells used in the study but also indicate future prospective zones for drilling. The results inferred from the integrated study reveal that the Farewell Formation can be characterized as a good reservoir and has potential for future drilling and further development.

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Figure 1

(modified after Higgs et al. 2012)

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(modified after Martin et al. 1994)

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(modified after Qadri et al. 2017)

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Notes

  1. 1 ft3 = 0.028 cm3.

  2. 1 Bcf = 2.8 × 107 cm3.

  3. 1 Tcf (trillion cubic feet) = 2.8 × 1010 cm3.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this research work has been supported by a Graduate Research Scholarship (GRS–2015) from the Universiti Brunei Darussalam along with the support from the Government of Brunei Darussalam. The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), New Zealand, for generously providing the datasets. The authors are highly grateful to the Department of Physical and Geological Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, for providing workstation amenities and to Phua Eng Siong for his logistic support. The authors also express their gratitude to Schlumberger and LR Senergy for providing Petrel and Interactive Petrophysics software, respectively, for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical and Geological Science, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, JalanTungku Link, Gadong, 1410, Brunei Darussalam

    S. M. Talha Qadri, Md. Aminul Islam & Mohamed Ragab Shalaby

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

    S. M. Talha Qadri

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  1. S. M. Talha Qadri
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Correspondence to S. M. Talha Qadri.

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Qadri, S.M.T., Islam, M.A. & Shalaby, M.R. Three-Dimensional Petrophysical Modelling and Volumetric Analysis to Model the Reservoir Potential of the Kupe Field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. Nat Resour Res 28, 369–392 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-018-9394-3

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