Geostatistical Modeling of

Transmissibility for 2D
Reservoir Studies
Alexander J. Desbarats, Geological Survey of Canada, and
Roussos Dlmltrakopoulos, SPE, McGill U.

Summary. A geostatistical approach is used to characterize reservoir transmissibility with the aim of assigning sirnulator parameters
in 2D models. Transmissibility is represented as a spatial random function where heterogeneity is described by the probability distribu-
tion and the variogram of sample values. The key element of the geostatistical model is the definition of block transmissibilities as
spatial geometric averages. Published analytical results have shown that the effective transmissibility of infinite, statistically isotropic
flow fields is equal to the ensemble geometric mean. Numerical results presented here show that a spatial geometric average is an excel-
lent approximation of effective transmissibility in such finite fields as simulator gridblocks. The geostatistical model for transmissibility
is used to show that the mean and variance ofblock-averaged values depend on the averaging area. As the averaging area is increased,
mean block transmissibility decreases toward the ensemble geometric mean while the block variance decreases to zero. The geostatisti-
cal model is also used to investigate the kriging of block transmissibilities from well data. The current method of correcting bias in
kriged values is found to cause artifacts of gridblock size in flow simulation results. The simpler, uncorrected kriging estimator is shown
to preserve overall flow-field transmissibility, regardless of gridblock size.

lntroductlon Geostatlstlcal llodel lor Transmlsslblllty

Ever since the landmark paper of Warren and Price,l there has
been a growing awareness that computer models of fluid flow in
reservoirs have become much more sophisticated than acfual reser-
voir descriptions. Reservoir characterization and the assignment
of simulator parameters are increasingly regarded as essential ele-
ments of a successful reservoir study.2 This paper addresses the
very specific, yet important, problem of determining gridblock trans-
missibilities for 2D areal models.
Reservoir transmissibility characterization is approached here
within the framework of geostatistics.3 The geostatistical approach
for studying heterogeneous porous media is well established in the
hydrology literaturea and is gaining increasin! acceptance in pe-
troleum applications.s [n this approach, transmissibility is viewed
as a regionalized variable, representing an outcome from a spatial
random function. The heterogeneity of transmissibility is charac-
terized by the probability distribution function and the spatial au-
tocovariance (or the variogram) of the random function, as estimated
from sample data.
The main goal of this paper is to develop basic geostatistical con-
cepts and procedures to estimate gridblock transmissibilities used
in 2D simulators. Block transmissibilities are defined as spatial ge-
ometric averages that, under certain conditions, are shown to give
excellent approximations to true effective block values. This paper
differs from previous work6-8 in regard to the geostatistical esti-
mation of permeability or transmissibility because it examines the
important change of support-scale effects caused by nonlinear spa-
tial averaging. This paper also shows that the use of accepted bias-
correction procedures for kriged block values introduces artifacts
of gridblock size in flow simulation results.
Theoretical concepts are illustrated as they are developed with
examples from an actual reservoir amenable to a2D study. The
data used here come from the "H" pool of the Lower Cretaceous
Crystal Viking field in South Central Alberta.e The Crystal Vik-
ing reservoir is interpreted as an estuarine tidal-channel/bay com-
plex lying uncomformably on the regional inner-shelf/lower-
shoreface facies of the Viking formation. The H pool reservoir con-
sists primarily of carbonaceous, fine- to medium-grain sandstones
believed to be shallow channel-bar deposits. The reservoir is
hydrodynamically separated from the tidal-channel sandstones of
the main "A" pool by impermeable estuary/bay-fill mudstones.
The H sandstone is elongated north/south and extends over 1500
ha, reaching a maximum thickness of 13 m. Core-derived trans-
missibility values are available from the 23 wells shown in Fig. 1.
Copyright 1990 S@iety ol Pelroloum Enginesrs
This section presents the basic elements of a geostatistical model
for transmissibility. The important concept of block-averaged trans-
missibility is defined, and its relationship to effective transmissi-
bility is discussed.
The transmissibility (x) at a point.r:(z,v) in the horizontal plane
is defrned as the integral of permeability , k(u,v,w) over the reser-
voir thickness w2-wr divided by viscosity:
I awt
T(x):-\ -k(u,v,w)dw .......;.(l)
, p,*r
Point permeabilities and transmissibilities are assumed to be sca-
lar. Viscosity, p, is assumed to be constant and equal to unity. Con-
sider Y(.r):ln (-r), the natural logarithm of (-r). Following the
usual geostatistical approach,: I1x) is modeled as a second-order
stationary and ergodic spatial random function. The expected value
(mean), variance, and autocovariance function of Y(.r) are given by
EIY(x)l:q, .,..(2)
varlY(x)f:sz, ..-.....(3)
cov[Y(x), Y(x+ h)l:o(h), . . . . . . . (4)
and y(h):62-o@),. ....(5)
where o(/r) and y(h) are the autocovariance and variogram func-
tions of the distance lag /r, respectively. The ensemble geometric
mean of T\x), Tc, is defined by
Tc:eElY(x)l=ed.. ....(6)
The cumulative distribution plot of transmissibilities (Fig. 2) shows
that the data are represented adequately by a log-normal, frequency-
distribution model represented by the straight line. This observa-
tion is fairly typical of permeability or transmissibility meas-
urementslo and serves to justiff the study of the variable (x).
Table I summarizes statistics of the transmissibility daa. The minor
discrepancies between data and model values result mainly from
a single outlier value (743 md'mlPa's) that does not fit the model.
This value is associated with a high-permeability conglomeratic
streak that may act as a preferential flow channel in the reservoir.
Unfortunately, insufficient data exist to characterize the important
spatial continuity of such high-transmissibility zones.
An experimental variogram was computed on the log-
transmissibility data (Fig. 3). Because of the small number of sam-
ples (i.e., 23), only an omnidirectional or directionally averaged
variogram could be obtained with acceptable reliability. The ex-

SPE Formation Evaluation. December 1990

 R4 R3

okml Lognormal mod6l\

/////,//////// ///////////////////

"1. . T46
Clnrular ve Frequency

Flg. 2-Cumulative distributlon of transmi$siblllty showlng

log-normal distribution model (straight llne).
a

A combination of random variables Y(.x) at all -r locations within

a area S, I, is also a random variable with mean and variance:

lr
-s3
E(Yt1:- lElY(x.lld-x:o ......(9a)
a 1..
T45 and var(Y5):-J \ ollr-sl;drds:o1S,S), ......(9b)
J'ss
where o(S,S) represents the average value of dft) when the extremi-
ties of the lag h independently describe the area,S. Values of o]S,S)
for a specific covariance or variogram model are determined with
numerical integration charts.3 Fig.4 shows the decrease of olS,D
with increasing dimensionless length Z/tr of an averaging area
S=L2, for the variogram model of the H sandstone data.7
Consider the spatial geometric average of (.r), T5, oVor a block
^S:

Fig. 1-Location map of cored wells showing region of krig-

ing study.

perimental variogram shows a clear sill and the presence of spatial

correlation at the shortest lag. Such a coarse variogram cannot be In the geostatistical model, Z5 is a random variable and 76, de-
modeled unambiguously. The tidal-channel depositional setting of fined in Eq.6, is a model parameter. Thus, T5 andT6 are dis-
the H sandstone suggests that the statistical continuity of transmis-
tinct quantities related through the ergodic assumption by
sibility should be greatest along the channel axis in the north/south lim Ts:Tc. .......(ll)
direction. Unfortunately, such an anisotropy cannot be confirmed S+o
because of lack of data so an isotropic variogram model is assumed
Under certain conditions (to be discussed), Is is an excellent ap-
here for the sake of simplicity: proximation of 7", the true effective transmissibility of Block S.
7@)--ozlr-exp(-hll)1. ..... . ... ....(7)
The parameter X is known as the integral range ofcorrelation and 20
is equal to 500 m in the present case. The logarithmic variance
o2:1.324.
Starting with point random variables (-r), it is possible to define
l5
the arithmetic spatial average, Y", over an area.S:
o'

rr:;llr Y(x)dx. . ..... . (8) E

TABLE 1_SUMMARY STATIST]CS o5 /...-

OF TRANSMISSIBILITY DATA model

Data Model
Logarithmic mean 3.735 3.735 o-o
5oo 1000 1500 2000 2500
Logarithmic variance 1.324 1.324 Distance Lag h (m)
Mean, md.m/Pa.s 83.560 81 .194
Geometric mean, md.m/Pa's 41 .88 41.88 Fig. 3-Experimental varlogram of log tlansmlsslbility.
Variance, (md.m/Pa's)2 22420.07 18182.66

SPE Formation Evaluation. December 1990

 @-
(/) 10
lb FO

FO

o.o 1 I t.o ro-o
L/)\'
Flg. A-Varlance of ys vs. S of slde L/tr.
The early work of Cardwell and Parsonsll and Warren and
Pricel has traditionally provided an empiricaljustification for ge-
ometric averaging in random, uncorrelated media. Later theoreti-
cal workl2-14 in the geostatistics and hydrology literature has
shown that effective transmissibility in infinite, correlated, 2D het-
erogeneous media is approximately equal to 26. In particular,
Matheron12 showed that T":fo if transmissibilities are distrib-
uted log-normally. These analytical results are valid only when for-
mations are statistically isotropic in the (-r,y) plane. Fortunately,
this is often the case in thin formations of large areal extent where
2D studies are applicable. The case of infinite, statistically anisotrop-
ic fields is considered by Gelhar and Axness.15
These results also assume that transmissibilities are distributed
log-normally, or at least have a small variance. Numerical workl
has shown that the results are relatively insensitive to moderate
departures from these conditions. Further numerical workl6 ex-
amined the case of sand/shale sequences where high-permeability
contrasts and anisotropic-spatial-correlation structures create
preferential flow channels. Z6 was found to be a poor estimate of
true effective permeability in this case.
The work cited above does not address the present problem of
determining T, in realistic hnite correlated frelds, such as simula-
tor gridblocks. It does suggest, however, that T" may be approxi-
o!
o.o
0.o 2.O 3.O
Ts/Tc
Fig. S-Normallzed f" vs. normallzed f5 lor a 500.m block.
mated by ?5 in such fields because 15 tends toward 16 and
therefore toward {, as the field size becomes large. 1l This con-
jecture is evaluated here with the H sandstone transmissibility model
as an example.
A Monte Carlo method was used to generate spatially correlated
point support-scale transmissibilities at the nodes of a grid discretiz-
ing a 2D flow freld. The simulated values respected the log-normal
distribution model and the variogram nnodel obtained above for the
H sandstone. Tg and T" were calculated for each realization of the
random freld. T, was calculated numerically by solving the steady-
state-flow equation and determining the total flux through the sys-
tem. Two different flow-field sizes were considered: 500x5fi) m
(l \ x I X) discretized by a 40 x 4O-block grid and 2500 x 2500 m
(5I x 5^) discretized by a 50 x 50-block grid. Figs. 5 and 6 show
Z" plotted vs. Ig for the two block sizes. Values are normalized
by ?6. The results for both field sizes show that T5 is indeed an
excellent approximation to T" under the present geostatistical
model. For the small freld, the average of T"lT6 is equal to the
average of TslT6 and is found to be 1.51. For the larger field, the
average of normalized transmissibilities is 1.07. Thus, while
TS=7", the average of these values appears to depend on the size
of the averaging area. This important observation is investigated
next.

2-O

F9
-FO 1-5 ,(.,
l.
7ro
't.o uJ
I

,
o.5 tl

o.o
o.o o.5 1,O 1.5 2.O 2.5 3.O o.o1 1 0.o
Ts/Tc L/\
Fig. 6-Normalized f" vs. normalized 75 for a 2500-m block. Fig. 7-Normalized mean of 7s vs. S of slde L/tr.

SPE Formation Evaluation, December 1990

 roo0
600
aoo
7-6 200
E I OO
E
o - 00
F
=to
o 20
-60
=(! ;
t6
1o

5 lo 20 ao 00 ao 90 95 sa99 so-6

o ol- Cumulalive Frequency

o.o1 t-o
L/\
Flg. 9-Cumulatlve dletrlbutlons of core and bulldup perme-
Flg. 8-Normalized varlance of fs vs. S of slde L/tr. abllltles from Haldorsen. r7

Support.Scale Eflects
Support scale refers to the physical area of spatial averaging, ,S,
which appears in the definition ofblock-averaged quantities such
as Is. 17 This section examines the important effects of support
scale on the mean and variance of block transmissibilities.
T5 is a function of the point-support random variables I(.r) and
therefore is also a random variable. Using a Taylor series expan-
sion of ers truncated at order two, the mean and variance of 15
can be approximated by
E(Tr7=B1rrt',-loso(s,S)t2 ..(l2a)
and var(T5)=var(eYs)=f,1792[e;(s's)-l]. . . .. .(l2b)
If the random function I(.r) is multivariate normal, then it is easily
shown with the properties of the log-normal distribution 18 that the
relations in Eqs. l2a and l2b are exact. In particular, when the
support size S is reduced to a point, Eqs. l2a and l2b become the
classical formulas linking the mean and variance of (r) with a
and o2, the mean and variance of Y(x).
These two relations show that both the mean and the variance
of Z5 depend on the area of averaging S through the term o(S,S).
Figs. 7 and 8 show the relationships for the H sandstone transmis-
sibility model. Normalized meanlE(TjlT6l and normalized var-
iance [var(25) lT62l are plotted vs. the dimensionless length Z/tr
of a field S:22. As the averaging area becomes very large, the
mean of T5 tends toward T6, while the variance tends toward zero.
As the averaging area tends toward a point, the mean and variance
of T5 tend toward the mean and variance of Z(x). Eq. l2a explains
the results of the previous simulation experiment, where the aver-
age transmissibility of the 500x500-m (l x l-X) blocks was great-
bilities from buildups is 0.0128 md2, compared with 1.440 md2
for cores. Geometric mean permeabilities from core (48 md) and
buildups (37.5 md) agree reasonably well, as predicted by Eq. 13.
This need not always be the case, however, because permeabilities
from buildups are not truly spatial geometric averages as defined
in Eq. 10.
Krlglng Block Transmlsslbllltles
The 15 gridblock values required by flow simulators can be ob-
tained by conditional simulations or interpolation from data at sur-
rounding wells. This section examines the use of kriging for the
estimation of gridblock transmissibilities. Kriging is a least-squares
technique for spatial interpolation that uses the lanowledge of a vari-
able's spatial covariance structure to obtain a best linear unbiased
estimator of the variable at some unsampled location.S
Following the same approach as previous authors,4'G8 the first
step is to determine a kriging estimate, I$, of the true spatial aver-
age of log-transmissibility, 15. IS is a weighted average of data
values Z(.r1) at n well locations:
n
r$: D oiY(x). ....(14)
i: I
The n weights, c,ri, are determined so as to minimize the expected
squared error or kriging variance ofr;
ok:EIVs-y$21, .. ........(15)
subject to the unbiasedness constraint
n

er than that of the larger 2500 x 2500-m (5 x 5-I) blocks. The results D ,i:1. .........(16)
obtained (1.07 and l.5l for the large and small blocks, respective- i= I
ly) agree well with the theoretical values of l.l0 and 1.49 predicted
The constrained least-squares optim2ation leads to a system of n * I
from Eq. l2a.
The ensemble geometric mean of block transmissibilities is
equations in z*l
unknowns: the <d; and a Lagrange multiplier, 4,
introduced by the constraint. The optimum kriging variance can
another quantity of interest, given by
be written in terms of the solution of the svstem:
exp[E(ln Ts)]:explE(Is)l=e":Tc. ...(13) n

Thus, the ensemble geometric mean of T5 is equal to that of T(.r) I

"?:(S,Sl- t=l <,rio(.r;,S)-q. .... .........(17)
and is unaffected by a support-scale change. Furthermore, under
the ergodic assumption, the ensemble geometric mean of 15 is also
Using this result and manipulating the system of equations, it can
equal to the spatial geometric average of 75 over all blocks form- I$ are given by5
be shown that the mean and variance of
ing the transmissibility field.
A concrete illustration of support (Fig.9 from Haldorsenl?) il- E(rp:611/s1=cl... ........(l8a)
lustrates support-scale effects with the cumulative distribution of nn
core permeabilities and permeabilities derived from pressure buildup
tests in an unnamed reservoir (no buildup data were available for
and var(Yf): I I aiaio(r;x):o=(S,S)-o?-2r,. .. (l8b)
i=t j=l
the H pool). Because permeabilities frombuildups represent spatial
averages over large volurnes of formation, their mean and vari- Thus, the mean of estimated values equals that of true values. In
ance are lower than for core data. Here, the variance ofpermea- other words, I$ is an unbiased estimator of 15. The variance of

440 SPE Formation Evaluation. December 1990

 =)t( ;
O
(f
1r)
O
xfi
O o O:
O c)
: :
=
F =o tn
E.
O O
z. z.

2 .50 3 .50 4.50 2.50 3.50 4.50

ERST ( 1000xM ) ERST ( 1 000xM
Flg. 10-Map of krlged log transmisslblllty, Ys", tor 500-m
gddblocks. Fig. 11-Map of kriging varlance, o*2,bt 500-m grldblocks.

estimated values, however, is always less than the variance of true
values because (ofr+2n1 is a positive quantity. This variance
reduction is common to all least-squares methods and is known as
the "s.moothing effect" in the geostatistics literature. Maps of I$
and o'x for the rectangular region outlined in Fig. I are shown in
Figs. 10 and 11, respectively. Areas where f$ shows little^spa-
tial variability are seen to correspond with areas of high of .
Kriged estimates of block transmissibilities, ?$, are then ob-
tained from f$ by exponentiation:
Tt:rry. ....(1e)
Following the same method used to derive Eqs. 12, it can be shown
that the mean and variance of T$ are
E(T$)=611r;s-(o2dz')-'t .....(2Oa)
and var Q$=E(Til21"its,s)-o2*-z,r-ll. .. ....(20b)
As before, these relations are exact if I(.r) is multivariate normal.
Also, the ensemble geometric mean of T$ is given by
sE(Y$):sa:Tc. . ....(21)
According to Eq. 20a, T$ is a biased estimator of T5, where the
biasing factor, e-k'xl2)-tt, results from the variance reduction or
"smoothing" effect. However, T$ does preserve the ensemble ge-
ometric mean, which is equal to the effective transmissibility of
the entire field under ergodic conditions. The bias problem in Eq.
2Oa can be corrected with the estimator 7F$* 19'
T{*:f{e<"rtr2)+n. . .........(22)
The mean of T$* then is
E(r$*):E(T$1e@2xtz)+n:E(Ti. ......(23)
In similar bias correction5,T'8 4 has erroneously been neglected.
Although the corrected estimator resolves the bias problem, the en-
semble geometric mean of ?$* is now:
"E(hT!+):eE(vpe@2K12)+tt:TGe@2K12)+4.
.. ... (24)
In other words, T$* causes an overestimation of the ensemble ge-
ometric mean, and therefore, of the effective transmissibility of the
entire discretized field.
A kriging study was performed on the H sandstone transmissi-
bility data to illustrate the discussion of estimators T$ and ?$*.
The rectangular region (Fig. l) was subdivided into a regular grid
ofsquare blocks, which then were kriged one by one using all 23
samples. The array of kriged block transmissibilities was entered
into a single-phase, steady-state-flow simulator. Constant poten-
tial boundaries were applied on the north and south sides of the
region, while no-flow boundaries were applied to the east and west
sides. The effective transmissibility of the region was then calcu-
lated from the numerical solution to the flow equation. The krig-
ing and flow simulation were repeated for blocks of 250,500, and
1000 m. Tables 2 and 3 show the results for T$ and I$*, respec-

SPE Formation Evaluation, December 1990 441

 TABLE 2-KRIGING AND FLOW SIMULATION
RESULTS FOR rs'

B ock Size TA E(rs) Ts TG

(m) (md.m/Pa's) (md.m/Pa.s) (md.m/Pa.s) (md.m/Pa.s)
250 47.669 70.005 40.387 40.523 41.884
500 46.829 62.721 40.294 40.306 41.8U
1000 44.407 54.580 40.551 40.962 41.884

TABLE 3_KRIGING AND FLOW SIMULATION

RESULTS FOR rs"

Block Size TA E(rs) Tc Te Tc

(m) (md.m/Pa's) (md.m/Pa.s) (md.m/Pa.s) (md.m/Pa.s) (md.m/Pa.s)
250 64j92 70.005 55.528 55.832 41.854
500 57.575 62.721 50.387 s0.585 41.884
1000 49.679 54.580 45.493 45.999 41.8U

tively, including block size, the arithmetic aveftge of kriged block 2. Geometric spatial averaging is used to determhe block-support
values, T,a [i.e., an estimate of the theoretical expected transmis- transmissibilities from point support-scale values. Numerical re-
sibility E(T5), which is also givenl, the geometric average of sults presented here show that spatial geometric averaging provides
kriged block transmissibilities, T6, the effective transmissibility, excellent estimates of effective transmissibility in the case of finite
T, of the field calculated from the flow simulation, and the en- correlated fields, such as simulator gridblocks.
semble geometric mean, T6, which is equal to the effective trans- 3. The geostatistical model for transmissibility explains the de-
missibility of the region under the present conditions. pendence of the mean and variance of block-averaged quantities
A comparison of I,a and E(T5) values in Table 2 shows the un- on the averaging area and on the spatial-correlation structure of
derestimation of E(I5) predicted in Eq. 20a. The relative underes- transmissibility. A consequence ofthis support-scale effect is that
timation worsens with smaller block sizes because of the higher the mean of gridblock or well-test transmissibilities is lower than
kriging variances. The E(?"5) values also reveal their significant the mean of core values.
dependence on support scale with a20% re&rction in mean trans- 4. The geostatistical technique known as kriging is used to de-
missibility as block size increases from 250 to 1000 m. 76 and T, termine optimum estimates of block transmissibilities by spatial in-
values agree remarkably well, and results show no dependence on terpolation of well daa. It is shown how the bias correction of kriged
block size. This further confirms that geometric spatial averaging estimates described in the literature leads to a spurious overesti-
does indeed yield an excellent estimate of effective transmissibili- mation of the overall effective transmissibility of the flow field when
ty. The T6 and Z" values also are very close to the ensemble geo- kriged block values are entered into a simulator. The original un-
metric mean, 16. Thus, while I$ underestimates T5, it preserves corrected kriging estimator does not introduce artifacts ofgridblock
the geometric mean and effective transmissibility of the region as size in simulation mass flux results and therefore should be used.
a whole. 5. The analytical resuls presented here are valid only for the case
The T1 and E(25) values in Table 3 are in much better, but not of 2D flow in a statistically isotropic, low-variance transmissibili-
perfect, agre€ment. The discrepancies between estirnates and model ty field without sources or sinks.
values are caused by the nonuniform distribution of sample loca-
tions over the kriged region. The undersampled, lower- J{omenclature
transmissibility areas in the northeast and southwest areas of the E( ) : expected mean value
region are more proportionately represented in the calculation of
TA thar. in the calculation of the average sample value used in the
i : distance lag in variogram or autocovariance
function, m
geostatistical model. Also, because ofthe nonuniform sample spac-
ing, kriging variances are quite variable (Fig. I l). Eq. 23 is strict- I: permeability, md
ly verifred only if the kriging pattern is identical for each block ,Z : length, m
throughout the region. Under these circumstances, the agreement n: number of samples in kriging estimator
between Ta and E(Tj values in Table 3 is acceptable. As in Ta- .l : averaging area or gridblock, ha
ble 2, T6 and T" are in excellent agreement. These results, how- I, : effective transmissibility, md'm/Pa's
ever, show a disturbing dependence on block size and significantly Tc :'ensemble geometric mean transmissibility,
overestimate T6. md'm/Pa's
Thus, ?$* is an unbiased estimator of 75, but it introduces a spu- Is : spatial geometric average transmissibility,
rious support-scale artifact in the overall effective transmissibility md'm/Pa's
ofthe field. Ifkriging is to be used to determine gridblock trans- (x) : transmissibility at location.r, md'm/Pa's
missibilities for flow simulators, then the estimates should ensure f5 : spatial average of Y(.r) over S
that conservation of mass flux through the held is not affected by
an arbitrary choice of block size. For this reason, T$ should be
(x) : *1ot.t logarithm of transmissibility at location .r
used as an estimator ofT5 rather than I$* as is the current prac-
a : logarithmic mean transmissibility
tice. Although the problems created by the smoothing effect of krig- 7(h) = variogram function of distance lag ft
ing can be corrected in the present case, no similar correction is r1 : Lagrange multiplier in kriging system of equations
known for 3D reservoir models and conditional simulation is there- ), : integral range of correlation in variogram or
fore the preferred spatial interpolation method. autocovariance function, m
:
1^r viscosity, cp
Concluslons o(ft): uolo.ovariance function of Y(x) at distance lag ft
1. Geostatistical theory provides a rigorous mathematical frame- o? : logarithmic variance' of transmissibility
work for quantitative reservoir description and the numerical model- of : kriging variance
ing of transmissibility in heterogeneous formations. co; : kriging weight of rlh sample

442 SPE Formation Evaluation, December 1990

Sulscripts
,{ : arithmetic average
e: effective Alerander J. Derbaratr ls a research
@: geometric average sclentlst wlth the mathematlcal-appllca-
i,.l : indices tlons-ln-geology sectlon at the Geologi-
5: quantit! averaged over area S cal Survey of Canada, where he studies
fluld flow and solute transporl In heter-
ogeneous formatlons. He holds a BS
Superscripts degree In geologlcal englneerlng and an
:t,** : estimated quantities MS degree 3n geostatlstlcs flom Ecole
- : averaged quantlty Polytechnlque ol Montleal. In 1987, he
oarned a PhD degree In geostatistics
Acknowledgments lrom the Dept. of Applled Earth Sdences
at Stantod U. Rou$o! Dlmltrakopoulos, asslstant prcfes-
We thank John Clark and Westcoast Petroleum Ltd. for permis-
sor at McGlll U., has research Intercsts ln geostatlstlcal reser-
sion to publish data from the Crystal Viking field. Helpfrrl com- voh charactellzatlon and aillflcial Intelllgence. He holds a BS
ments on the manuscript were provided by M. David, R.M. degree from the U. ol Thesealonlkl, Greece, an MS trom the
Srivastava, and F.P. Agterberg. Geological Survey ofCanada Con- U. of Alberta, and a PhD degree trom Ecole Polytechnique,
tribution No. 15389. Montreal. (Photo unavallable.)

Relerencee 13. Gutjahr, A.L. et aL : "Stochastic Analysis of Spatial Variability in Sub-

1. Warren, J.E. and Price, H.S.: "Flow in Heterogeneous Porous Me- surface Flows 2: Evaluation and Application," Water Resources Res.
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SPE Formation Evaluation, December 1990 43