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Color indicates the proximity of the faults to shear failure in this 3-D view of multiple fault
surfaces on the Northwest Shelf of Australia. The critically stressed fault segments
(shown as yellow-red colors) are less likely to be good fault seals for trap integrity.
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Evaluating fault seals demands an understanding of the in-situ stress state. Let
us analyze the geomechanics of your reservoir to qualify the probability of fault leakage.
Stress state drives the ability of reservoir-bounding faults to serve as effective fault
seals. If the faults are critically stressed, repeated slip will reduce sealing properties,
causing hydrocarbon leakage and limiting maximum column height. Our experts use their broad-based
understanding of structural geomechanics to improve reservoir production—utilizing knowledge of
the stress field along with fault mapping from seismic data to understand reservoir compartmentalization.
Northwest Shelf, Australia
Fault trap integrity is a key factor in assessing hydrocarbon reserves in the
Timor Sea area. The stress field orientation is spatially non uniform in this region as seen by the marked
transition along the northern reaches of the Nancar Trough province.
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Understanding stress helps you understand seal stress and pore pressure control fault reactivation.
Since reactivated faults tend to be permeable, stresses resolved on faults can therefore control
fault seal integrity, hydrocarbon migration, reservoir compartmentalization, and maximum hydrocarbon
column heights.
Leverage Our Proven People and Processes
Get a handle on these issues, we start with accurate knowledge of reservoir in-situ stress
orientation and magnitudes using our GMI•SFIB software and/or seismic data. Then we analyze
seismically-mapped fault segments using our GMI•MohrFracs application to determine fault proximity to
frictional failure. This optimized process means less guesswork and better results.
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