Developing an outcrop analog of an estuary-shoreface-type reservoir and upscaling using a nonuniform coarsened grid

Developing a detailed, high-resolution analogue model based on extensive outcrop data constitutes an important first step towards generating high-resolution stochastic models for reservoirs with complex depositional systems. In this thesis outcrop data of the upper Cretaceous Virgelle Member of the Milk River Formation in southern Alberta, Canada were utilized to develop an analogue model. A consistent methodology for assembling outcrop data available along multiple 2-D sections into 3D gridded models is presented.; Upscaling methods are required that reduce the size of detailed models while preserving the important geological characteristics of the reservoir. Most upscaling methods work with uniform grids. A new upscaling approach based on non-uniform coarsening with local power average is presented. The proposed algorithm is used to identify likely high connectivity regions using streamline simulations; to construct a non-uniform coarse-scale grid preserving the areas with probable high connectivity and finally to assign equivalent permeability to the coarse grid blocks using a local power average technique.*; *This dissertation is multimedia (contains text and other applications not available in printed format). It includes a CD.