Reservoir compaction and associated surface subsidence have been the subjects of theoretical and experimental research in Shell since the 1950's. Analytical models were developed for translating reservoir compaction to surface subsidence. The validity of

Abstract

Reservoir compaction and associated surface subsidence have been the subjects of theoretical and experimental research in Shell since the 1950's. Analytical models were developed for translating reservoir compaction to surface subsidence. The validity of these models was recently confirmed by field observations and finite element studies for the Groningen gas field in The Netherlands. Experimental methods for determining the compaction coefficient on core samples in the laboratory have been developed and refined and can now closely simulate reservoir conditions. Nevertheless, data from the Groningen field show that a discrepancy remains between the compaction coefficient measured on core material and the value derived from field observations. To resolve this discrepancy, which cannot be explained by existing compaction theories, a better understanding is required of the physical mechanisms of sandstone compaction and of the way they operate under laboratory and field conditions. Current experimental and theoretical research is aimed at the formulation of a constitutive compaction law. With such a law, predictive models that use experimentally determined rock parameters as input can be formulated for reservoir compaction.