Alex University Course

Static and Dynamic models
Static Model refers to the model of system not during

runtime. This is more structural than behavioral. This
includes classes and it relationships(Class Diagram),
Packages etc. For example, the concept of class itself
static. At runtime there is no concept of Class, Sub class
etc.
Dynamic model refers to runtime model of the system. This

includes the concept of Objects, interactions,
Collaborations, sequences of operations, Activities, state
changes, memory model etc.
Principles of Geo-modeling
Geological models are created for different purposes, but common to all of them is
the desire to build a representation of the subsurface. Depending on the purpose,
different aspects of the model can be important.
In the case of a regional exploration model, the shape of the structures may be the
most important aspect. Geological models can be used to achieve accurate volume
calculations or to test the effect of different depositional regimes against observed
data. With simulation models, the size and complexity can be the limiting factor
for achieving a model that has a good history match.
Petrel uses a 3D grid to supply the building blocks for the user to create
representations of reality.
3D Grid Concept
In simple terms, a 3D grid divides a model into boxes. Each box is called a grid cell and will have a single rock type,
one value of porosity, one value of water saturation, etc.
These are referred to as the cell's properties.
This is a simplification of the true case, but allows us to generate a representation of reality that can be used in
calculations, etc.
Grid resolution
The resolution of the grid will be a key decision when building the model. A high resolution
grid (many cells) will allow the modeler to create great spatial complexity, but will result in a
model which has many cells and might be cumbersome to use with each process taking a long
time. A lower resolution grid will have less scope for complexity, but will be quick to work with
and will allow the user to test many possibilities quickly.
The decision will depend on the purpose of the model, the detail and amount of data available.
There is little point in creating a model with higher resolution horizontally or vertically than the
data available for modeling. It is often wise to begin with a coarse model, testing the effects of
changes and then increase the resolution as parameters become more certain.
Grid Structure
The inclusion or exclusion of faults is another key decision in the model building process.
When dealing with simulation, the faults may be critical as flow barriers or conduits and could
be the key control on results. For volume calculations they may also be important in defining
the geometry of the reservoir, however, including faults requires a number of decisions to be
made regarding their inclusion in the grid and will increase the time taken to create the model.
Once faults are included there is also the question of where to stop. Including every discontinuity in
the model would make it unmanageable, and at some point fractures are better modeled as modified
properties as opposed to breaks in structure.
3D Grids in Petrel
3D grids are created in the Corner point gridding or Structural framework modeling processes and
appear on the Models tab.
A 3D grid represents one version of the reservoir geometry but it can contain as many different
properties as required. For example, it may have 5 different porosity property models, each
representing a different interpretation of the reservoir quality.
User interface details
• The file name (project name) and location is displayed in the Title bar. Press and drag the Title bar
to move the Petrel screen on your desktop.
•Menu bar - (Top) Click on any of the Menu bar headings to access a list of dialog boxes, pop-up
menus, commands and features.
•Toolbar - (Top) Tools for commonly accessed commands. These tools are useful shortcuts for
items that can also be found by accessing the Menu bar.
•Function bar - (Right) Process specific functionality. These tools change as different processes
are selected in the Process diagram. Note that there can be two Function bars - one on the right
hand side and one below the Display window.
•Petrel Explorer panes - (Left) A file manager for optimizing all related model data. Consists of
eight panes; Input, Models, Results, Templates, Processes (access to the process in petrel), Cases,
Workflow (automate processes) and windows pane (control the plots and windows in the project).
•Display window - Checked items in Petrel Explorer panes will be displayed in the active Display
window.
•Status bar (message) - (bottom left) Information on processes will be displayed here.
•Status bar (Info) - (bottom right) Shows information of the selected item in the active window.
The "Spin animation" in the 3D display window can be turned off from the Tools Menu, System
Settings. Under the Effects tab there is an option to turn on or off the spin animation. This will now
work for all windows. If the user wants to turn off the spin effect only in particular windows, it's
possible to right click inside the display window, choose Preferences and then click Spin animation
(a small checkbox by the text in the menu indicates if the spin animation is on or off).
Structural modeling in Petrel
Data Import Seismic Well Fault Pillar Zonation and
Correlation Modeling Gridding Layering
Edit Input Data
Intro to Petrel
Import data
Facies Petrophysical Volume Plotting Well

Modeling Modeling Calculation Design
Process Manager
What is a model?
A model is a representation of some aspect of reality.
The purpose of creating a model is to help understand,

describe, or predict how things work in the real world by
exploring a simplified representation of a particular
object or setting.
Keep in mind
Modeling is always about simplifications!
 Focus on what is important and what is not!
Think on how your choices will affect the building of

the 3D grid.
 How will your pillars go in the pillar gridding process.
Pre-processing of input data
Purpose: Cleaning up the input data to make it suitable as input to
the fault model.
Input: Fault sticks, fault polygons, seismic interpretations, 2D

surfaces, seismic cube, polygons, point
Common pre-processing processes:

Assign value to a polygon.
Seismic horizons without flag values.
Fault sticks without flag values.
Fault sticks interpreted in two directions.
Smooth a surface.
Apply filters.
Cut input data against a surface.
Cut the fault model against a limit.
How to assign value to a polygon
 Open the settings for the
polygon by right click and
select settings or double
click on the polygon.
 Go to the Calculations
tab.
 Set A equal a constant or
a surface.
 Push on the assign Z=A
button.
How to clean up a seismic horizon without
flag values
Open the settings for the horizon

and go to operations tab.
Select Polygon Operations.
Select “Split by horizontal length.”
Insert the measured distance.
Execute and QC the result.
If you are not happy-> undo -
>insert a lower value and redo.
After ’Split by
horizontal length’
has been used
How to clean up fault sticks
without flag value
Continuous lines must be separated
in order to represent different line
segment (here fault sticks)
Lines can be separated by:

1. Polygon operations under the
current polygon
2. The Make/Edit polygon process by
using the scissor
without flag value
Display the fault sticks in 3D.

Use the “Measure distance” tool and
measure the length of the artificial
line.
Open the settings for the fault sticks
If you are not happy-> undo ->insert a
lower value and redo.
without flag value
Default will the scissor give you

a new data point when cutting
a line segment.
To remove the line segment:

Open settings for the
Make/Edit polygon process and
check on “Delete point or line
segment when cutting”.
Fault sticks interpreted in two
directions
 Make a copy of the fault sticks
to be edited.
 Activate the Make/Edit
Polygons process.
 Display the fault sticks in a 3D
window.
 Decide on the direction you
want to keep.
 Use the Pick/Select tool and
the Shift key to select the
sticks to remove.
 Push delete on the keyboard.
Make surface
Grid up a 2D surface to use

for:
Visualization and quality check.

To cut input data.
To cut the fault model.
Input to the horizon process.
To limit the model.
To clear all parameters from last run,

select the result surface and push the
Delete key. Then answere yes to
question.
Make surfaces - Main input and Name
Input for grid construction:
- well tops
- points or lines
- 2D grid
Highlight object in Petrel Explorer.

Click on Main input (blue arrow).
The “Main input name” is
automatically used as output
name, unless the checkbox in
front is toggled. Then a new name
can be specified.
Toggle” Execute for all Main input
in the same folder” for automatic
generation of all surfaces in the
folder.
Make surfaces - Geometry
.
Open the geometry tab:

Get grid size and position
automatically.
Or type in grid size and position
manually.
Specify grid increment.
Make boundary automatically.
Make surfaces - Default algorithm
Petrel will suggest algorithm and
parameters based on input data type.
Click on “Suggest settings from
input”.
Select the data type that
matches the Input data.
The dialog jumps to the
Algorithm Tab and selects a
reasonable gridding algorithm
and parameters.
How to smooth a surface
 Open the setting for the
surface.
 Go to the operations tab.
 Select surface operations.
 Select smooth.
 Insert number of
“Iterations” and “Filter
width”.
Cutting input data against a surface
If the fault sticks are extended much above

the top reservoir and below the base reservoir,
it can be useful to use the ”Eliminate”
operations to cut the parts of the faults
outside the area of interest
Fault sticks after they have been cut

Original data by the top surface
Cutting the fault model against a limit
Using a surface or a
constant as the top and
base limit.
Cut, extend or both.
Only selected pillars or all
pillars.
Minimum pillar height.
When to cut the model and when
to cut the sticks
The geometry of the pillars
are complex.
But just a small part are inside the area

of interest. By cutting the fault sticks
you can use a simplified geometry OR
have more shape points in the zone of
interest.
to cut the sticks
The geometry of the fault
sticks are simple.
Doesn't matter if you cut the sticks or

the faults, but in many cases it will be
easier to cut the faults.
Prepare the input data for modeling
Exercise:
Use Polygon operation->Split by horizontal length on
fault sticks without flag values
Clean up fault sticks interpreted in two directions
Create a surface using the Make/edit surface process
Cut input data against a surface
Fault Modeling
Fault Modeling
Purpose: Building the best possible fault model based on available
input data.
Input: Fault sticks, surfaces
Tasks:
– Build the faults.
– Make connections.
– Cut the model against limits.
Structural modeling – The workflow
”Fault
Modeling”
”Pillar
Gridding”
”Vertical
layering”
Faults that can be modeled in
Petrel
Almost any type of faults can be modeled in Petrel:
 Single, branching and crossing faults

 Reverse and normal movements
 Faults dying out laterally
 Faults dying out vertically
 Truncated faults
 Growth faults
Petrel fault type definitions
Petrel define the fault types based on the number of
shapepoints on a fault:
Curved fault Listric fault Vertical fault Linear fault

First approach
 Plan the level of complexity in the model based on:
 Task
 Timeframe
 Data available
 Identify the framework faults

 Flow control
 Major boundaries
 Plan the segments

 Volumetrics
 Modeling e.g. depositional environments.
Tips for fault modeling
 Get an overview of the data and the limits like the top
and base of area of interest.
 Start with the major framework faults and other large
simple faults.
 Cut the input data or the fault model against the Top
and Base before you connect.
 Do the connections right away! Easy to forget!
 Run the Pillar Gridding process once in a while to
find any problems early.
Complex structural modeling workflow
Not OK?
Adjust
Skeleton Layering Key
Fault Modeling Pillar Pillars,
Gridding adjust
fault
distance,
or edit
3D grid
OK ? Build 3D model
Failed ? Create
Adjust Key skeleton Skeleton
pillars OK: Insert
Seismic
Skeleton not OK QC Skeleton horizons
1. Repeat Pillar
Gridding or
2. Repeat Fault
Modeling
Fault Modeling - Fault model from Fault sticks
+ Shift
1. Select the fault

sticks to be modeled
3. Click on ”Create
Faults from fault
sticks”
2. Make sure the

correct Fault shape is
selected
How to edit key pillars
 Display the fault in a 3D
window.
 Have the Fault Modeling
Process active.
 Use the Pick/Select mode.
 Decide if you want to
adjust one shape point or
the hole pillar.
 Click on the selected shape Select shape point
point to display the widget.
Select pillar
 Move the fault by
moving the widget.
 Limit the movement by
using:
Tips: To change the direction of

Free movement
the widget, place the cursor on the
widget, hold down the left mouse Move in vertical
button and push the Ctrl button plane only
until desired direction.
Move along line
tangent only
How to insert a new pillar in a fault
– Add pillar to the end
Two options for inserting new

pillars in an excisting fault
 Select the end pillar on the fault

to add on by using the
Pick/Select tool.
 Push the Add pillar to end
button.
Tips: The geometry of the new
pillar will be decided from the
excisting pillar geometry in the
fault.
– Add pillar in between
 Select the two pillars where you
want to insert a new one in
between by using the
Pick/Select tool.
 Push the Add pillar in between
button.
Tips: Sometimes it’s easier

to delete an excisting pillar
and then insert a new one
insted of adjusting on the
excisting ones!
How to make a connection between
faults
If a fault is being truncated by another fault
in the horizontal direction, you must
connect the two faults.
 Display the faults in a 3D

window.
 Find a common connection
pillar representing the
geometry of both faults.
 If no such pillar exists, insert a
new one or adjust an existing
one.
 Select the connection pillar
and the end pillar of the other
fault.
 Push the connection button.
How to make a connection between faults
 Select the suitable
choice.
 Extend fault.
 Create new fault.
 Merge faults.
 Push OK.
 The connection pillar
turns grey.
How to connect a crossing faults
 Display the faults in a
3D window.
 Decide on which fault
pillar to use as
connection pillar and
adjust it to fit both fault
planes.
 Delete spare pillars.
 Use the “Disconnect tool” to
disconnect the fault without
the common pillar.
 This gives you two new
faults.
 Use the “Connect tool” to
connect one of the faults
into the connection pillar.
 Use the extend option.
 Continue the
connection from the
connection pillar to the
other fault.
 Use the “Connect tool”.
 Select the “Merge”
option.
 QC the result by
displaying the input
data.
 Tune the model by:
 Adjusting pillars
 Adding new pillars
Tips on fault connections
 Adjust the faults to approximate the same height before

connecting.
 Don’t be afraid about removing, adding and adjusting
pillars to make a good connection. Just remember to QC
against the input data afterwards!
 Make transitions between key pillars smooth.
Automatic fault connection
The Extend distance is the distance

the faults are extended to see if they
reach and intersect other faults
The Remove distance is the

minimum distance between two
inserted Key Pillars
Tips on automatic fault connection
Toggle on the ”Only use visible
faults” and display only a few faults
at a time and do autoconnect. This
gives you more control on the
automatic fault connection process..
Tips: The automatic fault

connections work best for simple
fault models. For complex fields it is
recomended to use it on the
framework and then insert the more
complex fault connections manually.
The Pillar Gridding process
Purpose: Create the skeleton grid for the 3D model. Limit the model
in the I and J direction.
Input: Fault model
Tasks:
– Build the boundary.
– Insert trends and directions.
– Decide on the increment in I and J direction.
– Plan the segments.
– Build the mesh grid.
Pillar Gridding - Definitions
Boundary:
Use polygons and/or faults to define
the grid boundary A segment is a faulted
compartment, closed
by faults, trends
and/or a boundary
Trends:
Used as guidance for
the gridding and can be
used as a ”segment
divider”.
A segment contains
Faults: a specific number of
1) Can be given a direction grid cells in X, Y
2) Can be chosen to only work as direction
trend.
3) Can be chosen to not work as
a ”segment divider”.
How to define the boundary - Simple
 Display the fault model in a
2D window.
 Display other data to
decide on the limits of the
model.
 Use the “Create boundary”
tool to digitize a boundary
polygon.
How to define the boundary - Complex
 Using existing elements as:
 Faults
 Trends
 Select the element and use
the “Set part of grid
boundary” tool.
 Create a new boundary
part by using the “Create
boundary segment” tool.
How to define the boundary – Convert
from polygon
If you have an existing polygon
you want to use as a boundary for
the model.
 Activate the Pillar Gridding
Process.
 Activate the correct fault
model.
 Right click on the polygon in
the input tab.
 Select “Convert to Boundary
on the active Fault Model”.
Trends and directions
Trends and directions are used to
guide the gridding process and to
control the orientation of the cells in
the grid.
Trends and faults

can have the
following directions:
 I – direction
 J – direction
 Arbitrary –
direction
Tips: The I and J direction should be

as perpendicular to each other as
possible.
How to set directions on a fault
2D window
 Use the Pick/Select tool.
 Pick the fault you want to
J-direction
give a direction.
 Use the tool for I - or J -
direction.
 To remove a direction from
a fault, use the A -
direction tool
A-direction I-direction
How to use a trend to control
the grid Trend, I-direction

2D window
trends.
 Draw the trends from one
point to another.
 To remove a trend, select it
and press delete.
Tips: Trends are used for the same

purpose as the directed faults to guide Trend, J-direction
the gridding process and control the
direction of the cells. Used where we do
not have a fault to give a direction.
Pillar Gridding - Automatic Direction Assignment
I/J-direction – Automatic assignment available
in More tab of Pillar Gridding dialog
1. Go to Pillar Gridding Settings and

set up the deviation angle from
North-South (J-directed faults).
East-West (I-directed faults) will be < 22.5 deg
aligned 90 degrees to the
Assignment angle. Click Apply
> 22.5 deg
2. Click the “Automatic Direction

Assignment” icon in the Function
Bar and inspect the results in 2D
Window
Using faults and trends as ”segment
dividers”
INPUT
RESULT Set part of segment boundary
A trend can be used as a

”segment divider”
Set no boundary
The fault or trend will

not be used as a
Set no fault
The fault will be used as a

trend, but will not be
modeled.
How to define number of grid cells
It can be useful to force Petrel to
insert a certain number of cells in
between two faults or trends.
Especially when working with
truncations or faults that have a
high angle relative to each other.
 Define the trend.

 Mark the trend and press 3
the “Set number of cells on
connection” tool.
 Specify number of cells.
Tips on grid refinement
When defining number of grid cells
it is sometimes important to give the
cells an escape route to avoid
squeezed cells.
How to create the skeleton grid
1- Grid increment
2- ”Make Zig-Zag
type faults” for
simulation only
3- Create skeleton
The result in a 2D view:
Look for:
Geometry of the cells in I and J
direction.
– Pinch outs.
– Twisted cells.
Grid orientation.
Pillar Gridding – The settings tab
Edge limit: Recommended when the fault

directions are perpendicular.
1. Define trends around the grid following
the directions of the faults.
2. Define the boundary faults and give
them directions.
3. Set both the trends and the boundary
faults as boundary.
Pillar Gridding – The more tab
Local Iterative Method: This will assign

trends to groups of connected faults one at a
time. It is a good general algorithm.
Vector field Method: trends will be assigned

using a vector field over the whole field at
once. This algorithm is smoother in situations
where there are many unconnected faults and
trends.
Used if you have a situation like
this with mainly arbitary faults.
Petrel will only adjust the

specifyed number of nodes closest
to the faults when the
”optimalization method” has been
used. This will speed up the
process.
Pillar Gridding – The Pillar Geometry tab
Pillar Geometry tab (Pillar

gridding)
Defines the geometry of the pillars in
the fault plane as well as the geometry
of pillars between faults.
Tolerance distance
Used to decide if a pillar shall be re-
sampled to a less complex pillar.
Pillar Gridding - Expert settings
The Rotation angle gives the user the
opportunity to set the angle of the grid.
Used when no trends and directions for
the faults are given.
Grid line layout: The grid line lay out

affects the lines between the grid
nodes.
Grid edge settings defines the

boundary of the grid.
Expand the grids beyond its
boundary limits by: The closest
distance between the edge of the total
grid and the faults close to the edge of
the grid.
Lock the edge of the expanded grid
by: Defines how many cells that are
locked along the edge of the total grid.
Pillar Gridding – Faults tab
Select the faults/trends to be used
in the gridding process. Default
will be all faults and trends.
Note: It is also possible to turn off

faults/trends in the first Petrel
Explorer (Model tab->Fault model)
Pillar Gridding – Legend tab
Give the user the oportunity to
change the marker size and the
color on the markers.
Legend for the gridding e.g. what

the different colors on the
faults/trends means.
Result after Pillar Gridding – a mesh grid
Pillars defining
the corners of
each cell
Top skeleton
Mid skeleton
Base skeleton
QC of the pillar grid
Before continuing with the zonation is it important to QC the
result after the pillar gridding.
Two important QC steps:

Display the Top, Mid and Base Skeleton grid in a 3D
window.
Display the pillars in the I and J intersection and
play through the model.
Examples on what to look for in the skeleton grid:
Twisted cells.
Envelops.
Peaks in the skeleton grid.
How to display the pillars on
intersections
 Open the settings for
intersections under the
3D model.
 Toggle on “Show Pillars”.
 Display the
intersections and use
the player to play
through the model in I
and J direction.
Layering
Vertical layering - Principles
Top reservoir
Base reservoir
Make Horizon
 Purpose: Generate horizons in the Petrel 3D grid by
incorporating appropriate input data into the
pillar grid that honour the faults.
 Input: Gridded surfaces, lines, point data and/or
 well tops
 Options:
 Gridding and extrapolation algorithms
 Smoothing
 Well adjustment
 Distance from fault where extrapolation

 should be performed
Stratigraphy
Horizon extrapolation - Principles
Why a problem?
False drag
Pinch out cells
Solution
Set distance to fault
Fault horizon intersection
line
Edit 3D grid
Before After
adjustments adjustments
Horizon extrapolation - Distance to fault
Distance from fault = 10 Distance from fault = 30
60 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50
Horizon from input data
Horizon extrapolated
along the fault
Fault Fault
Important:
The distance must not exceed
the influence area for the data,
e.g. the fault compartment
Make Horizon – Faults settings
Use default or use the active
fault
Specify distance
Set the displacement settings
Display the front and back

of the faults
Horizon extrapolation - Fault-horizon
intersection
Geometrical relationship between
the fault and the horizon.
Can be used as input in the Make
Horizon and Scale Up Zones
processes
Created from :
– By re-sampling from fault
model
– Input polygons
– By digitizing
Horizon extrapolation - To create and edit
fault-horizon intersection
By resampling:
Open the settings for the horizon to
be edited and go to Operations tab.
Select resample from 3D grid to Fault
Model and press Resample.
A new Horizon line folder will appear.
By resampling:
Display the fault model and the
horizon line in 3D and do the desired
editing.
Select resample from Fault model to
3D grid and press Resample.
Input polygon:
Have the Fault Modeling Process
active.
Display the fault model and the input
polygon in a 3D window.
Use the Pick/Select tool and select
the input polygon .
Digitize polygon:
Click on the “Select horizon nodes” icon.
Click on the “Create horizon lines from a
selected polygon on the active fault” icon.
The new horizon line will be added to the
horizon lines folder.
Digitize horizon line:
Display the fault model in a 3D window.
Activate an existing horizon line or create a
new one.
Decide on creating the the horizon line for
the “front side” or the “back side” of the
fault.
Front
side
Back
side
Click on the “Add/move horizon point on
the active horizon” icon.
Start digitize the horizon line.
Tips: Select Auto-select Horizon

nodes to add nodes between the
picked and selected horizon node.
How to use the fault – horizon intersecton
line in the Make Horizon Process
Tick on the ”Use fault

Lines”
Make Horizon
Growth faults
Used to preserve thickness variations
due to syn-tectonic sedimentation.
Conform to Another Horizon toggled
on in the Make Horizon process.
Growth fault ticked on under the
Faults tab.
Vertical layering
Exercise:
Insert the horizon input.
Decide the distance to fault.
Use the fault-horizon line intersection tool to edit on
the model.
Complex structural modeling
workflow – Repetition!
Not OK?
Adjust
Gridding adjust
fault
distance,
or edit
3D grid
OK ? Build 3D model
Failed ? Create
pillars OK: Insert
Seismic
1. Repeat Pillar
Gridding or
2. Repeat Fault
Modeling
Insert minor faults and
truncations
Truncated faults - Definitions
Truncating Truncated
pillar pillar (Drawn in grey color)
Truncation point
Types of truncated faults
1. Single base truncated
2. Single top truncated

3. Multi base truncated
4. Multi top truncated

5. Multi top truncated and
multi base truncated
6. Top and base truncated

7. Both truncating and truncated
Vertically stacked truncations - Don’t
try this at home!
RESULT
Base Skeleton
How to make a truncation
1. Detect the truncating
and truncated faults in the
fault model
2. Make truncating fault
active
3. Select two key pillars you

want to truncate
4. Press ”truncate pillar”

icon
5. Truncate the rest of the

key pillars
6. Go to Pillar Gridding
process
7. Set directions and trends

in Pillar Gridding process
How to make multi truncations
Following the same rules as for a single truncation. Do one pillar
at the time. Remember: The truncating fault must be active!
Try to align the pillars of the truncated faults.
N YES
O
How to pillar grid a truncated fault
 In the 2D window you will

have yellow arrows from the
truncated to the truncating
fault.
 It’s mandatory to have a
direction on the truncated
fault.
 It’s recommended to have a
trend at the ends of the
truncation.
 Optional if you want to insert
trends in between and a
direction
Tips: Keep itonsimple!
the truncating
Add
fault.
more trends and directions
if necessary.
Example of pillar gridding of complex
truncations – truncated and truncating
Mandatory
directions on the Orange arrows
truncated faults. from truncated to
truncating fault.
Optional
direction on the
Yellow arrow at the
truncating fault.
end pillar.
Recommended trend:
Set trend A-B. Since A-B
is set, set also B-C to get
the best result. Not from C
A to C directly. B
A
Optional trends in
between.
C
A B
Example Pillar Gridding – Both top and base
truncated.
Both top and base

truncated
Recommended
trends
Mandatory
direction
Optional trends
Result
Tips on pillar gridding of
truncations
When you have multi top or multi base truncations, try to
align the key pillars so the yellow arrows on top of each other.
N YES
O
Add more complexity into the
model - Part One
Exercise:
Add more complexity with truncations.
Run the Pillar gridding process with truncations.
Self-truncations and editing of the
3D grid
How to make a self truncation
1. Connect truncating 2. Make truncating fault 3. Select the common key
and truncated faults active pillar
4. Press the ”truncate pillar” icon. 5. Set directions and trends in the Pillar
Gridding Process.
Tips on pillar gridding of a self
truncation
Since it’s mandatory with direction on the truncated
fault, you should try to make a distinct shift in
direction.
N YES
O
How to end a truncation
There are four main situations to end a truncation:
 As described previously, the truncated fault can end up in a self-

truncated connected Key Pillar.
 The truncation can end up at the boundary of the grid – no specific
action required between the last pair of Key Pillars. It is
recommended to make a trend in the Pillar Gridding process
between the Key Pillars that the boundary crosses if the truncation
continues outside the boundary.
 The truncation can end in a fault perpendicular to the
truncating/truncated faults. In this case, build the
truncating/truncated faults towards the crossing fault. Before
truncating the last pair of pillars, connect the two faults to the
crossing fault. Truncate the last pair and then finally select the two
adjacent Key pillars in the crossing fault and truncate them.
 The truncation can stop in the middle of the fault. It is then very
important that the Shape Points of the last truncating Key Pillar
pair is positioned as exact as possible in the same spot.
Edit 3D Grid
When to edit a 3D grid:

In cases where there are flaws related to the structural grid that
could not be solved during the generation of the 3D grid structure,
this is where manual fixes can be made.
How to edit on the 3D grid:

Edit on faults
Edit on intersections
In the middle of a horizon
Warning!
Manual edits are not easily documented and this will make it
difficult to reproduce the model.
How to edit the 3D Grid on an intersection
 Activate the Edit 3D Grid

Process.
 Toggle on the
intersections.
 Use the intersection player
to place the intersection in
the desired position.
 Manually lock nodes after
adjustment.
 Or toggle on “Lock when
moving”.

 Select node and adjust.
Tips: Lock nodes and run

”Make Horizon” to
influence more nodes.
How to edit a 3D grid on a fault
Activate the Edit 3D Grid Process.

Toggle on the faults.
Manually lock nodes after adjustment.
Or toggle on “Lock when moving”.
Use the Pick/Select tool.
Select node and adjust.

How to edit a 3D grid in the middle
of a horizon
Display the horizon in a 3D window.
How to run the Make Horizon Process
after edit of a 3D grid
To let a adjusted node influence
in the Make Horizon Process do
the following:
 Make sure the adjusted node
is locked.
 Open the Make Horizon
Process and go to the settings
tab.
 Make sure the “Locked
horizon node influence
radius” is ticked.
 Specify the influence radius
(in number of cells).
Virtual translation
This is an expert tool and the user should
have good understanding of the gridding
functionality in Petrel before using this tool.
When using this tool, thorough quality
control is absolutely necessary
Virtual translation is used to help the Pillar
gridding process, when having complex or
complicated fault models.
 Multiple truncations
 Salt domes
 Fault structure with closely spaced
faults
 Extremely shallow dipping faults
(dipping in opposite directions)
How to do virtual translation
The Virtual translation tool can be found in the Pillar gridding
process. It is important to understand how this tool works before
trying to use it.
When using the Virtual translation the user can move the
midpoint of faults in the 2D window. This editing will not alter the
Key pillars in the fault model. The tool is only used to aid the
generation of a mid-skeleton grid in the Pillar gridding process.
Lock/Unlock virtual Undo virtual
Move midpoint
translation: translation:
virtually in 2D :
If activated, the user is Will undo a previous
The tool is used to
allowed to move virtual translation.
move points in the 2D
(virtually) nodes on Make the shape
window. Activate the
faults. Used in difficult point active and click
tool and click on a mid
gridding situations. on this icon to
point to be moved.
This is an expert remove the virtual
function and should be translation.
used with care!
Virtual translation - Example
Two parallel vertical Faults displayed in the 2D window are
faults with two represented by lines connecting their mid
dipping faults shape points. The result in this case is that
truncated at top and the lines connecting the mid shape points of
base in between. fault 3 and 4 coincide. When that is the case,
the gridding will fail. To solve that problem
the points represented by fault 3 and 4 must
3
be moved apart.
1
2
1 2 1 2
3
4 3 4
4
Add more complexity - Part two
Exercise:
Add more complexity.
Run the Pillar Gridding Process for a complex model.
Reverse faults
Reverse faults
Purpose: Understand how to define a reverse fault movement in
Petrel.
Tasks:
– Build the fault model
– Use multiple input in the Make Horizon Process.
How can Petrel define reverse
faults?
3D Nodes in Petrel grid
Double Z-values
Input #2
Input #1 Input #4
Input #3
The Make Horizon process for
reverse faults
The reverse movement will be defined by the
intersection between the horizonsDistance
andfromthe
faultfault
=Distance
10 plane.
from fault = 30
60 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 5060 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50
 Set distance to fault

 Fault-horizon intersection line
 Multiple input Fault Fault
How to use multiple input data
fields
 Open the Make
Horizon Process.
 Add on as many input
columns as you have
inputs by using the
“Append a column in
the table” button.
 Drop in the input in the
different columns.
Input #1
Input #2
How to map the correct input to
the segments
Go to the Segments tab.
For each segment, select
the correct input to use.
Pillar gridding of reverse faults
There are no special
rules for Pillar
Gridding of reverse
faults.
The user have to
follow normal Pillar
Gridding rules and use
the necessary amount
of trends and
directions.
Reverse faulting
Exercise:
Build the model and use the automatic fault
connection.
Run the Pillar Gridding process and define the correct
segments for the input data.
Use multiple input for each horizon in the Make
Horizon process.
Salt domes
Modeling of salt domes in Petrel
Purpose: Learn how to define salt domes in Petrel
Tasks:
– Define the salt.
– Make the horizons.
– Create a hole inside the salt dome.
– Insert zones and sub zones.
How to define the salt in the
salt dome
The salt is defined by using faults as
the border surface.
Define key pillars along the salt
dome using 5 shape point
geometry.
A fault can not be connected to
itself.
– Create two half-circular
faults and connect them.
Do not merge them!

How to create a hole inside the salt
dome – Make Horizons
Run the Make Horizon process for
all horizons.
Tick off “Force the horizon to be
calculated for all segments”.
Tick off the segments that are
inside the salt dome.
Tick off Calculate for all horizons
above or below the salt dome.
Re-run the Make Horizon process.
How to create a hole inside the salt dome –
Make Zones
Open the Make Zones process.
Select the Stratigraphic Interval.
To create a hole in the zone you
have to build the zone from a
horizon containing a hole inside
the salt dome
E.g. If it is the base horizon that
contains the hole -> Select Build
from: Base horizon.
dome
Before After
Salt domes
Exercise:
Create the salt domes by using five shape points pillars.
Create a hole inside the salt dome in the Make Horizon
process.
Capture Geology, Build a Realistic Facies/Petrophysical Model
Data Preparation Petrophysical Modeling

- Sedimentological type: Stochastic and deterministic
Condition to facies or seismic
- Facies log Correlation between properties
- other constrains: trends /
seismic attributes
Facies Modeling
Data Analysis Pixel based & object based algorithms
Quality control data , perpare input for Best use of each technique to capture
property modeling Histogram , vaiogram geology , Differences between different
& correlation anatysis techniques
Sedimentological Reservior Types
- S. Marine Delta (Nile)

- D. Marine Delta (Canyon)
- Shore Faces
- Reef Colonies
- Continental deposit (Nubian Sand)
- Sub-aqueous Fan Deposits
- Fluvial Deposit
- Fracture Reservoirs
- Tidal flat deposits
Reservoir Services Review
Reservoir Services
Objectives
 Q-Reservoir Workflow
RS Operations
 Interpretation
 Attributes
 Inversion
 Seismic classification
 4D

Role of Reservoir Services
To lead shift toward reservoir solutions
Reservoir Services use processed seismic datasets to
produce reservoir description volumes such as;
Porosity
Water Saturation – the % mix of water &
hydrocarbons
Relative Acoustic Impedance
Primary Impedance
Shear Impedance
Time Lapse difference (4D)
Delta Types
EREX
Delta Types
Wave Dominated
River Dominated
Tide Dominated
Object Facies Modeling
Realistically capture facies architecture and
geometry
Object based with various predefined shapes
Channel and isolated objects fully integrated
Modelling rules
Vertical and lateral trends
Multiple realizations
Channel Modeling
– A special object facies
Channel, levee association
Flow-lines and source points
Flexible shapes
For fluvial, deep water and other
 channelized facies
1. Defining the geometric framework
of the reservoir Reservoir development
requirements:
•Structural and Stratigraphic

mapping
•Thin bed resolution – 5 to
10m
•Steep dip imaging
Angola Prospectivity from Seismic
3.0
Potential
Potential Targets
Targets
DHI DH
I 4.0
Top
Iabe
Trap 5.0
Top salt
2km
6.0
Seismic Interpretation
Meandering channel
Fan deposit
Fan deposit
in profile
Meandering channel
in profile
3D ‘chair’ display of part of the abyssal plain

High resolution seismic data enables the definition
of sedimentary features and stratigraphic trap styles
Channels are
highlighted by
colouring extreme
ends of the
amplitude spectrum
2. Qualitative & quantitative definition
of rock & fluid properties
Reservoir development
requirements:
• Lithology / fluid prediction
• Porosity mapping
• Fracture networks and
permeability
• Saturation / pressure
mapping
Post-stack Acoustic Inversion
1.0
4
1.2
0
0
1.4 0
50
Seconds
Feet
00
1.6
1.0 6
0
1.8 0 4
1.2 7
0 0
0
0
0
1.4 0
0 50
Seconds
Feet
Detailed Stratigraphic 00
Interpretation
1.6
6
0
1.8 0
7
0
0
Improved seismic resolution through acoustic
inversion enables resolution of thin beds in
mature field Marine seismic reveal true extent
of a previously unmapped
reservoir sand body in North Sea
oil field. These sands from the
Brent group are known to be 26
feet thick at the well location.
The definition of these sands

may be instrumental in
extending the life of the field
4D Seismic - the Concept
Also known as Seismic Reservoir Monitoring or
Time-Lapse Seismic
Consists of 3D seismic surveys, repeated after
intervals of substantial production
Successive surveys analysed for differences
Observes fluid changes in the reservoir
Available between & beyond the wells
Classification of Gullfaks data
1985 1995 Difference
0 1 No change Large change

SHCindicator
34 well locations selected; additional
600 million bbl producible reserves
found as result of 4D
Structural modeling in Petrel
Data Import Seismic Well Fault Pillar Zonation and
Correlation Modeling Gridding Layering
Edit Input Data
Intro to Petrel
Import data
Facies Petrophysical Volume Plotting Well

Modeling Modeling Calculation Design
Process Manager
Agenda:
 Introduction to modeling
 Pre processing of input data
 First approach
 Building a complex model
 Framework faults
 Pillar gridding
 Minor faults and truncations
 Salt domes
 Reverse faults
What is a model?
A model is a representation of some aspect of reality.
The purpose of creating a model is to help understand,

describe, or predict how things work in the real world by
exploring a simplified representation of a particular
object or setting.
Keep in mind
Modeling is always about simplifications!
 Focus on what is important and what is not!
Think on how your choices will affect the building of

the 3D grid.
 How will your pillars go in the pillar gridding process.
Course datasets
The following datasets will be used in the course:
 The complex modeling part:
 A tectonic complex dataset from the Njord field,
Haltenbanken, the North Sea Northern.
 The reverse faults part:
 Modified data from Casper Mountain, Wyoming, United
States.
 The salt domes part:
 Synthetic data.
General information
To find more information about the topics covered in
this course please use the Online Help Manual.
 Part of the default Petrel installation.
 Opens from the Help menu or by using F1.
 The most updated source for information about the
processes in Petrel.
 Contains almost 500 “How to….” covering everything from
import to simulation.
Purpose: Cleaning up the input data to make it suitable as input to
the fault model.
Input: Fault sticks, fault polygons, seismic interpretations, 2D

surfaces, seismic cube, polygons, point
Common pre-processing processes:

Assign value to a polygon.
Seismic horizons without flag values.
Fault sticks without flag values.
Fault sticks interpreted in two directions.
Smooth a surface.
Apply filters.
Cut input data against a surface.
Cut the fault model against a limit.
How to assign value to a polygon
 Open the settings for the
polygon by right click and
select settings or double
click on the polygon.
 Go to the Calculations
tab.
 Set A equal a constant or
a surface.
 Push on the assign Z=A
button.
flag values
Seismic 3D lines without flag
values could look like this:
Consisting of one continuous
line.
To fix it: Display the horizon in a

3D window.
Use the “Measure distance” tool

and measure the length of the
artificial line.
flag values
Open the settings for the horizon

Select Polygon Operations.
If you are not happy-> undo -
>insert a lower value and redo.
After ’Split by
horizontal length’
has been used
without flag value
Continuous lines must be separated
in order to represent different line
segment (here fault sticks)
Lines can be separated by:

1. Polygon operations under the
current polygon
2. The Make/Edit polygon process by
using the scissor
without flag value
Display the fault sticks in 3D.

Use the “Measure distance” tool and
measure the length of the artificial
line.
Open the settings for the fault sticks
If you are not happy-> undo ->insert a
lower value and redo.
without flag value
Default will the scissor give you

a new data point when cutting
a line segment.
To remove the line segment:

Open settings for the
Make/Edit polygon process and
check on “Delete point or line
segment when cutting”.
Fault sticks interpreted in two
directions
 Make a copy of the fault sticks
to be edited.
 Activate the Make/Edit
Polygons process.
 Display the fault sticks in a 3D
window.
 Decide on the direction you
want to keep.
 Use the Pick/Select tool and
the Shift key to select the
sticks to remove.
 Push delete on the keyboard.
Make surface
Grid up a 2D surface to use

for:
Visualization and quality check.

To cut input data.
To cut the fault model.
Input to the horizon process.
To limit the model.
To clear all parameters from last run,

select the result surface and push the
Delete key. Then answere yes to
question.
Make surfaces - Main input and Name
Input for grid construction:
- well tops
- points or lines
- 2D grid
Highlight object in Petrel Explorer.

Click on Main input (blue arrow).
The “Main input name” is
automatically used as output
name, unless the checkbox in
front is toggled. Then a new name
can be specified.
Toggle” Execute for all Main input
in the same folder” for automatic
generation of all surfaces in the
folder.
Make surfaces - Geometry
.
Open the geometry tab:

Get grid size and position
automatically.
Or type in grid size and position
manually.
Specify grid increment.
Make boundary automatically.
Make surfaces - Default algorithm
Petrel will suggest algorithm and
parameters based on input data type.
Click on “Suggest settings from
input”.
Select the data type that
matches the Input data.
The dialog jumps to the
Algorithm Tab and selects a
reasonable gridding algorithm
and parameters.
How to smooth a surface
 Open the setting for the
surface.
 Go to the operations tab.
 Select surface operations.
 Select smooth.
 Insert number of
“Iterations” and “Filter
width”.
Cutting input data against a surface
If the fault sticks are extended much

above the top reservoir and below the
base reservoir, it can be useful to use
the ”Eliminate” operations to cut the
parts of the faults outside the area of
interest
Fault sticks after they have been cut

Original data
by the top surface
Cutting the fault model against a limit
Using a surface or a
constant as the top and
base limit.
Cut, extend or both.
Only selected pillars or all
pillars.
Minimum pillar height.
to cut the sticks
The geometry of the pillars
are complex.
But just a small part are inside the area

of interest. By cutting the fault sticks
you can use a simplified geometry OR
have more shape points in the zone of
interest.
to cut the sticks
The geometry of the fault
sticks are simple.
Doesn't matter if you cut the sticks or

the faults, but in many cases it will be
easier to cut the faults.
Prepare the input data for
modeling
Exercise:
Use Polygon operation->Split by horizontal length on
fault sticks without flag values
Clean up fault sticks interpreted in two directions
Create a surface using the Make/edit surface process
Cut input data against a surface
Fault Modeling
Fault Modeling
Purpose: Building the best possible fault model based on available
input data.
Tasks:
– Build the faults.
– Cut the model against limits.
Structural modeling – The workflow
”Fault
Modeling”
”Pillar
Gridding”
”Vertical
layering”
Faults that can be modeled in
Petrel
Almost any type of faults can be modeled in Petrel:
 Single, branching and crossing faults

 Reverse and normal movements
 Faults dying out laterally
 Faults dying out vertically
 Truncated faults
 Growth faults
Petrel fault type definitions
Petrel define the fault types based on the number of
shapepoints on a fault:
Curved fault Listric fault Vertical fault Linear fault

First approach
 Plan the level of complexity in the model based on:
 Task
 Timeframe
 Data available
 Identify the framework faults

 Flow control
 Major boundaries
 Plan the segments

 Volumetrics
 Modeling e.g. depositional environments.
Tips for fault modeling
 Get an overview of the data and the limits like the top
and base of area of interest.
 Start with the major framework faults and other large
simple faults.
 Cut the input data or the fault model against the Top
and Base before you connect.
 Do the connections right away! Easy to forget!
 Run the Pillar Gridding process once in a while to
find any problems early.
workflow
Not OK?
Adjust
Gridding adjust
fault
distance,
or edit
3D grid
OK ? Build 3D model
Failed ? Create
pillars OK: Insert
Seismic
1. Repeat Pillar
Gridding or
2. Repeat Fault
Modeling
Fault Modeling - Fault model from Fault sticks
+ Shift
1. Select the fault

sticks to be modeled
3. Click on ”Create
Faults from fault
sticks”
2. Make sure the

correct Fault shape i s
selected
 Display the fault in a 3D
window.
 Have the Fault Modeling
Process active.
 Use the Pick/Select mode.
 Decide if you want to
adjust one shape point or
the hole pillar.
 Click on the selected shape Select shape point
point to display the widget.
Select pillar
 Move the fault by
moving the widget.
 Limit the movement by
using:
Tips: To change the direction of

Free movement
the widget, place the cursor on the
widget, hold down the left mouse Move in vertical
button and push the Ctrl button plane only
until desired direction.
Move along line
tangent only
– Add pillar to the end
Two options for inserting new

pillars in an excisting fault
 Select the end pillar on the fault

to add on by using the
Pick/Select tool.
 Push the Add pillar to end
button.
Tips: The geometry of the new
pillar will be decided from the
excisting pillar geometry in the
fault.
– Add pillar in between
 Select the two pillars where you
want to insert a new one in
between by using the
Pick/Select tool.
 Push the Add pillar in between
button.
Tips: Sometimes it’s easier

to delete an excisting pillar
and then insert a new one
insted of adjusting on the
excisting ones!
How to make a connection between faults
If a fault is being truncated by another fault
in the horizontal direction, you must
connect the two faults.
 Display the faults in a 3D

window.
 Find a common connection
pillar representing the
geometry of both faults.
 If no such pillar exists, insert a
new one or adjust an existing
one.
 Select the connection pillar
and the end pillar of the other
fault.
 Push the connection button.
How to make a connection between
faults
 Select the suitable
choice.
 Extend fault.
 Create new fault.
 Merge faults.
 Push OK.
 The connection pillar
turns grey.
 Display the faults in a
3D window.
 Decide on which fault
pillar to use as
connection pillar and
adjust it to fit both fault
planes.
 Delete spare pillars.
 Use the “Disconnect tool” to
disconnect the fault without
the common pillar.
 This gives you two new
faults.
 Use the “Connect tool” to
connect one of the faults
into the connection pillar.
 Use the extend option.
 Continue the
connection from the
connection pillar to the
other fault.
 Use the “Connect tool”.
 Select the “Merge”
option.
 QC the result by
displaying the input
data.
 Tune the model by:
 Adjusting pillars
 Adding new pillars
Tips on fault connections
 Adjust the faults to approximate the same height before
connecting.
 Don’t be afraid about removing, adding and adjusting
pillars to make a good connection. Just remember to QC
against the input data afterwards!
 Make transitions between key pillars smooth.
Automatic fault connection
The Extend distance is the distance

the faults are extended to see if they
reach and intersect other faults
The Remove distance is the

minimum distance between two
inserted Key Pillars
Tips on automatic fault connection
Toggle on the ”Only use visible
faults” and display only a few faults
at a time and do autoconnect. This
gives you more control on the
automatic fault connection process..
Tips: The automatic fault

connections work best for simple
fault models. For complex fields it is
recomended to use it on the
framework and then insert the
more complex fault connections
manually.
Fault Modeling of framework
Exercise:
Identifying the framework.
Building the framework faults.
Cutting the fault model against the Top and Base Cut
surfaces.
Make the necessary amount of connections.
Purpose: Create the skeleton grid for the 3D model. Limit the model
in the I and J direction.
Input: Fault model
Tasks:
– Build the boundary.
– Insert trends and directions.
– Decide on the increment in I and J direction.
– Plan the segments.
– Build the mesh grid.
Pillar Gridding - Definitions
Boundary:
Use polygons and/or faults to define
the grid boundary A segment is a faulted
compartment, closed
by faults, trends
and/or a boundary
Trends:
Used as guidance for
the gridding and can
be used as a ”segment
divider”.
A segment contains
Faults: a specific number of
1) Can be given a direction grid cells in X, Y
2) Can be chosen to only work as direction
trend.
3) Can be chosen to not work as
a ”segment divider”.
How to define the boundary - Simple
2D window.
 Display other data to
decide on the limits of the
model.
 Use the “Create boundary”
tool to digitize a boundary
polygon.
How to define the boundary - Complex
 Using existing elements as:
 Faults
 Trends
 Select the element and use
the “Set part of grid
boundary” tool.
 Create a new boundary
part by using the “Create
boundary segment” tool.
How to define the boundary – Convert
from polygon
If you have an existing polygon

you want to use as a boundary for
the model.
 Activate the Pillar Gridding
Process.
 Activate the correct fault
model.
 Right click on the polygon in
the input tab.
 Select “Convert to Boundary
on the active Fault Model”.
Trends and directions
Trends and directions are used to
guide the gridding process and to
control the orientation of the cells in
the grid.
Trends and faults

can have the
following directions:
 I – direction
 J – direction
 Arbitrary –
direction
Tips: The I and J direction should be

as perpendicular to each other a s
possible.
How to set directions on a fault
2D window
 Pick the fault you want to
J-direction
give a direction.
direction.
 To remove a direction from
a fault, use the A -
direction tool
A-direction I-direction
How to use a trend to control
the grid Trend, I-direction

2D window
trends.
 Draw the trends from one
point to another.
 To remove a trend, select it
and press delete.
Tips: Trends are used for the same
purpose as the directed faults to guide
the gridding process and control the Trend, J-direction
direction of the cells. Used where we do
not have a fault to give a direction.
Pillar Gridding - Automatic Direction Assignment
I/J-direction – Automatic assignment available
in More tab of Pillar Gridding dialog
1. Go to Pillar Gridding Settings

and set up the deviation angle from
North-South (J-directed faults).
East-West (I-directed faults) will < 22.5 deg
be aligned 90 degrees to the
Assignment angle. Click Apply
> 22.5 deg
2. Click the “Automatic Direction

Assignment” icon in the Function
Bar and inspect the results in 2D
Window
Using faults and trends as ”segment
dividers”
INPUT
RESULT Set part of segment boundary
A trend can be used as a

Set no boundary
The fault or trend will not
be used as a ”segment
divider”
Set no fault
The fault will be used as a
trend, but will not be
modeled.
How to define number of grid cells
It can be useful to force Petrel to
insert a certain number of cells in
between two faults or trends.
Especially when working with
truncations or faults that have a
high angle relative to each other.
 Define the trend.

 Mark the trend and press 3
the “Set number of cells on
connection” tool.
 Specify number of cells.
Tips on grid refinement
When defining number of grid cells
it is sometimes important to give the
cells an escape route to avoid
squeezed cells.
How to create the skeleton grid
1- Grid increment
2- ”Make Zig-Zag
type faults” for
simulation only
3- Create skeleton
The result in a 2D view:
Look for:
Geometry of the cells in I and J
direction.
– Pinch outs.
– Twisted cells.
Grid orientation.
Pillar Gridding – The settings tab
Edge limit: Recommended when the fault

directions are perpendicular.
1. Define trends around the grid following
the directions of the faults.
2. Define the boundary faults and give
them directions.
3. Set both the trends and the boundary
faults as boundary.
Local Iterative Method: This will assign

trends to groups of connected faults one at a
time. It is a good general algorithm.
Vector field Method: trends will be assigned

using a vector field over the whole field at
once. This algorithm is smoother in situations
where there are many unconnected faults and
trends.
Used if you have a situation like
this with mainly arbitary faults.
Petrel will only adjust the

specifyed number of nodes closest
to the faults when the
”optimalization method” has been
used. This will speed up the
process.
Pillar Gridding – The Pillar Geometry tab
Pillar Geometry tab (Pillar

gridding)
Defines the geometry of the pillars in
the fault plane as well as the geometry
of pillars between faults.
Tolerance distance
Used to decide if a pillar shall be re-
sampled to a less complex pillar.
Pillar Gridding - Expert settings
The Rotation angle gives the user the
opportunity to set the angle of the grid.
Used when no trends and directions for
the faults are given.
Grid line layout: The grid line layout

affects the lines between the grid
nodes.
Grid edge settings defines the

boundary of the grid.
Expand the grids beyond its
boundary limits by: The closest
distance between the edge of the total
grid and the faults close to the edge of
the grid.
Lock the edge of the expanded grid
by: Defines how many cells that are
locked along the edge of the total grid.
Pillar Gridding – Faults tab
Select the faults/trends to be used
in the gridding process. Default
will be all faults and trends.
Note: It is also possible to turn off

faults/trends in the first Petrel
Explorer (Model tab->Fault model)
Pillar Gridding – Legend tab
Give the user the oportunity to
change the marker size and the
color on the markers.
Legend for the gridding e.g. what

the different colors on the
faults/trends means.
Result after Pillar Gridding – a mesh grid
Pillars defining
the corners of
each cell
Top skeleton
Mid skeleton
Base skeleton
Before continuing with the zonation is it important to QC the
result after the pillar gridding.
Two important QC steps:

Display the Top, Mid and Base Skeleton grid in a 3D
window.
Display the pillars in the I and J intersection and
play through the model.
Examples on what to look for in the skeleton grid:
Twisted cells.
Envelops.
Peaks in the skeleton grid.
How to display the pillars on
intersections
 Open the settings for
intersections under the
3D model.
 Toggle on “Show Pillars”.
 Display the
intersections and use
the player to play
through the model in I
and J direction.
Pillar Gridding of framework
Exercise:
Define the best boundary.
Decide increments in I and J direction.
Insert trends and directions.
Quality check the result in 2D and 3D views.
Layering
Vertical layering - Principles
Top reservoir
Base reservoir
Make Horizon
 Purpose: Generate horizons in the Petrel 3D grid by
incorporating appropriate input data into the
pillar grid that honour the faults.
 Input: Gridded surfaces, lines, point data and/or
 well tops
 Options:
 Gridding and extrapolation algorithms
 Smoothing
 Well adjustment
 Distance from fault where extrapolation

 should be performed
Stratigraphy
Horizon extrapolation - Principles
Why a problem?
False drag
Pinch out cells
Solution
Set distance to fault
Fault horizon intersection
line
Edit 3D grid
Before After
adjustments adjustments
Horizon extrapolation - Distance to fault
Distance from fault = 10 Distance from fault = 30
60 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50 60 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50
Horizon from input data
Horizon extrapolated
along the fault
Fault Fault
Important:
The distance must not exceed
the influence area for the data,
e.g. the fault compartment
Make Horizon – Faults settings
Use default or use the active
fault
Specify distance
Set the displacement settings
Display the front and back

of the faults
Horizon extrapolation - Fault-horizon
intersection
Geometrical relationship between

the fault and the horizon.
Can be used as input in the Make
Horizon and Scale Up Zones
processes
Created from :
– By re-sampling from fault
model
– Input polygons
– By digitizing
By resampling:
Open the settings for the horizon to
be edited and go to Operations tab.
Select resample from 3D grid to Fault
Model and press Resample.
A new Horizon line folder will appear.
By resampling:
Display the fault model and the
horizon line in 3D and do the desired
editing.
Select resample from Fault model to
3D grid and press Resample.
Input polygon:
Have the Fault Modeling Process
active.
Display the fault model and the input
polygon in a 3D window.
Use the Pick/Select tool and select
the input polygon .
Digitize polygon:
Click on the “Create horizon lines from a
selected polygon on the active fault” icon.
The new horizon line will be added to the
horizon lines folder.
Display the fault model in a 3D window.
Activate an existing horizon line or create a
new one.
Decide on creating the the horizon line for
the “front side” or the “back side” of the
fault.
Front
side
Back
side
Click on the “Add/move horizon point on
the active horizon” icon.
Start digitize the horizon line.
Tips: Select Auto-select Horizon

nodes to add nodes between the
picked and selected horizon node.
How to use the fault – horizon intersecton
line in the Make Horizon Process
Tick on the ”Use fault

Lines”
Make Horizon
Growth faults
Used to preserve thickness variations
due to syn-tectonic sedimentation.
Conform to Another Horizon toggled
on in the Make Horizon process.
Growth fault ticked on under the
Faults tab.
Vertical layering
Exercise:
Insert the horizon input.
Decide the distance to fault.
Use the fault-horizon line intersection tool to edit on
the model.
workflow – Repetition!
Not OK?
Adjust
Gridding adjust
fault
distance,
or edit
3D grid
OK ? Build 3D model
Failed ? Create
pillars OK: Insert
Seismic
1. Repeat Pillar
Gridding or
2. Repeat Fault
Modeling
Insert minor faults and
truncations
Truncated faults - Definitions
Truncating Truncated
pillar pillar (Drawn in grey color)
Truncation point
1. Single base truncated
2. Single top truncated

3. Multi base truncated
4. Multi top truncated

5. Multi top truncated and
multi base truncated
6. Top and base truncated

7. Both truncating and truncated
Vertically stacked truncations - Don’t
try this at home!
RESULT
Base Skeleton
1. Detect the truncating
and truncated faults in the
fault model
2. Make truncating fault
active
3. Select two key pillars you

want to truncate
4. Press ”truncate pillar”

icon
5. Truncate the rest of the

key pillars
6. Go to Pillar Gridding
process
7. Set directions and trends

in Pillar Gridding process
How to make multi truncations
Following the same rules as for a single truncation. Do one pillar
at the time. Remember: The truncating fault must be active!
Try to align the pillars of the truncated faults.
N YES
O
How to pillar grid a truncated fault
 In the 2D window you will

have yellow arrows from the
truncated to the truncating
fault.
 It’s mandatory to have a
direction on the truncated
fault.
 It’s recommended to have a
trend at the ends of the
truncation.
 Optional if you want to insert
trends in between and a
direction
Tips: Keep itonsimple!
the truncating
Add
fault.
more trends and directions
if necessary.
Mandatory
directions on the Orange arrows
truncated faults. from truncated to
truncating fault.
Optional
direction on the
Yellow arrow at the
truncating fault.
end pillar.
Recommended trend:
Set trend A-B. Since A-B
is set, set also B-C to get
the best result. Not from C
A to C directly. B
A
Optional trends in
between.
C
A B
Example Pillar Gridding – Both top and base
truncated.
Both top and base

truncated
Recommended
trends
Mandatory
direction
Optional trends
Result
Tips on pillar gridding of
truncations
When you have multi top or multi base truncations, try to
align the key pillars so the yellow arrows on top of each other.
N YES
O
Add more complexity into the
model - Part One
Exercise:
Add more complexity with truncations.
Run the Pillar gridding process with truncations.
Self-truncations and editing of the
3D grid
1. Connect truncating 2. Make truncating fault 3. Select the common key
and truncated faults active pillar
4. Press the ”truncate pillar” icon. 5. Set directions and trends in the Pillar
Gridding Process.
Tips on pillar gridding of a self
truncation
Since it’s mandatory with direction on the truncated
fault, you should try to make a distinct shift in
direction.
N YES
O
How to end a truncation
There are four main situations to end a truncation:
 As described previously, the truncated fault can end up in a self-

truncated connected Key Pillar.
 The truncation can end up at the boundary of the grid – no specific
action required between the last pair of Key Pillars. It is
recommended to make a trend in the Pillar Gridding process
between the Key Pillars that the boundary crosses if the truncation
continues outside the boundary.
 The truncation can end in a fault perpendicular to the
truncating/truncated faults. In this case, build the
truncating/truncated faults towards the crossing fault. Before
truncating the last pair of pillars, connect the two faults to the
crossing fault. Truncate the last pair and then finally select the two
adjacent Key pillars in the crossing fault and truncate them.
 The truncation can stop in the middle of the fault. It is then very
important that the Shape Points of the last truncating Key Pillar
pair is positioned as exact as possible in the same spot.
Edit 3D Grid
When to edit a 3D grid:

In cases where there are flaws related to the structural grid that
could not be solved during the generation of the 3D grid structure,
this is where manual fixes can be made.
How to edit on the 3D grid:

Edit on faults
Edit on intersections
In the middle of a horizon
Warning!
Manual edits are not easily documented and this will make it
difficult to reproduce the model.
 Activate the Edit 3D Grid

Process.
 Toggle on the
intersections.
 Use the intersection player
to place the intersection in
the desired position.
 Manually lock nodes after
adjustment.
 Or toggle on “Lock when
moving”.

 Select node and adjust.

How to edit a 3D grid on a fault

Toggle on the faults.

How to edit a 3D grid in the middle of
a horizon
Display the horizon in a 3D window.
How to run the Make Horizon Process
after edit of a 3D grid
To let a adjusted node influence
in the Make Horizon Process do
the following:
 Make sure the adjusted node
is locked.
 Open the Make Horizon
Process and go to the settings
tab.
 Make sure the “Locked
horizon node influence
radius” is ticked.
 Specify the influence radius
(in number of cells).
Virtual translation
This is an expert tool and the user should
have good understanding of the gridding
functionality in Petrel before using this tool.
When using this tool, thorough quality
control is absolutely necessary
Virtual translation is used to help the Pillar
gridding process, when having complex or
complicated fault models.
 Multiple truncations
 Salt domes
 Fault structure with closely spaced
faults
 Extremely shallow dipping faults
(dipping in opposite directions)
How to do virtual translation
The Virtual translation tool can be found in the Pillar gridding
process. It is important to understand how this tool works before
trying to use it.
When using the Virtual translation the user can move the
midpoint of faults in the 2D window. This editing will not alter the
Key pillars in the fault model. The tool is only used to aid the
generation of a mid-skeleton grid in the Pillar gridding process.
Lock/Unlock virtual Undo virtual
Move midpoint
translation: translation:
virtually in 2D :
If activated, the user is Will undo a previous
The tool is used to
allowed to move virtual translation.
move points in the 2D
(virtually) nodes on Make the shape
window. Activate the
faults. Used in difficult point active and click
tool and click on a mid
gridding situations. on this icon to
point to be moved.
This is an expert remove the virtual
function and should be translation.
used with care!
Virtual translation - Example
Two parallel vertical Faults displayed in the 2D window are
faults with two represented by lines connecting their mid
dipping faults shape points. The result in this case is that
truncated at top and the lines connecting the mid shape points of
base in between. fault 3 and 4 coincide. When that is the case,
the gridding will fail. To solve that problem
the points represented by fault 3 and 4 must
3
be moved apart.
1
2
1 2 1 2
3
4 3 4
4
Add more complexity - Part two
Exercise:
Add more complexity.
Run the Pillar Gridding Process for a complex model.
Reverse faults
Reverse faults
Purpose: Understand how to define a reverse fault movement in
Petrel.
Tasks:
– Build the fault model
– Use multiple input in the Make Horizon Process.
How can Petrel define reverse
faults? 3D Nodes in Petrel grid
Double Z-values
Input #2
Input #1 Input #4
Input #3
The Make Horizon process for
reverse faults
The reverse movement will be defined by the
intersection between the horizonsDistance
andfromthe
faultfault
=Distance
10 plane.
from fault = 30
60 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 5060 50 40 30 20 10 10 20 30 40 50
 Set distance to fault

 Fault-horizon intersection line
 Multiple input Fault Fault
How to use multiple input data
fields
 Open the Make
Horizon Process.
 Add on as many input
columns as you have
inputs by using the
“Append a column in
the table” button.
 Drop in the input in the
different columns.
Input #1
Input #2
How to map the correct input to
the segments
Go to the Segments tab.
For each segment, select
the correct input to use.
Pillar gridding of reverse faults
There are no special
rules for Pillar
Gridding of reverse
faults.
The user have to
follow normal Pillar
Gridding rules and use
the necessary amount
of trends and
directions.
Reverse faulting
Exercise:
Build the model and use the automatic fault
connection.
Run the Pillar Gridding process and define the correct
segments for the input data.
Use multiple input for each horizon in the Make
Horizon process.
Salt domes
Modeling of salt domes in Petrel
Purpose: Learn how to define salt domes in Petrel
Tasks:
– Define the salt.
– Make the horizons.
– Create a hole inside the salt dome.
– Insert zones and sub zones.
How to define the salt in the
salt dome
The salt is defined by using faults as
the border surface.
Define key pillars along the salt
dome using 5 shape point
geometry.
A fault can not be connected to
itself.
– Create two half-circular
faults and connect them.
Do not merge them!

Make Horizons
Run the Make Horizon process for
all horizons.
Tick off “Force the horizon to be
calculated for all segments”.
Tick off the segments that are
inside the salt dome.
Tick off Calculate for all horizons
above or below the salt dome.
Re-run the Make Horizon process.
Make Zones
Open the Make Zones process.
Select the Stratigraphic Interval.
To create a hole in the zone you
have to build the zone from a
horizon containing a hole inside
the salt dome
E.g. If it is the base horizon that
contains the hole -> Select Build
from: Base horizon.
dome
Before After
Salt domes
Exercise:
Create the salt domes by using five shape points pillars.
Create a hole inside the salt dome in the Make Horizon
process.
Capture Geology, Build a Realistic Facies/Petrophysical Model
Data Preparation Petrophysical Modeling

- Sedimentological type: Stochastic and deterministic
Condition to facies or seismic
- Facies log Correlation between properties
- other constrains: trends /
seismic attributes
Facies Modeling
Data Analysis Pixel based & object based algorithms
Quality control data , perpare input for Best use of each technique to capture
property modeling Histogram , vaiogram geology , Differences between different
& correlation anatysis techniques
Sedimentological Reservior Types
- S. Marine Delta (Nile)

- D. Marine Delta (Canyon)
- Shore Faces
- Reef Colonies
- Continental deposit (Nubian Sand)
- Sub-aqueous Fan Deposits
- Fluvial Deposit
- Fracture Reservoirs
- Tidal flat deposits
Reservoir Services Review
Reservoir Services
Objectives
 Q-Reservoir Workflow
RS Operations
 Interpretation
 Attributes
 Inversion
 Seismic classification
 4D

Role of Reservoir Services
To lead shift toward reservoir solutions
Reservoir Services use processed seismic datasets to
produce reservoir description volumes such as;
Porosity
Water Saturation – the % mix of water &
hydrocarbons
Relative Acoustic Impedance
Primary Impedance
Shear Impedance
Time Lapse difference (4D)
Delta Types
EREX
Delta Types
Wave Dominated
River Dominated
Tide Dominated
Object Facies Modeling
Realistically capture facies architecture and
geometry
Object based with various predefined shapes
Channel and isolated objects fully integrated
Modelling rules
Multiple realizations
Channel Modeling
– A special object facies
Channel, levee association
Flow-lines and source points
Flexible shapes
For fluvial, deep water and other
 channelized facies
1. Defining the geometric framework
of the reservoir
requirements:
•Structural and Stratigraphic

mapping
•Thin bed resolution – 5 to
10m
•Steep dip imaging
Angola Prospectivity from Seismic
3.0
Potential
Potential Targets
Targets
DHI DH
I 4.0
Top
Iabe
Trap 5.0
Top salt
2km
6.0
Seismic Interpretation
Meandering channel
Fan deposit
Fan deposit
in profile
Meandering channel
in profile
3D ‘chair’ display of part of the abyssal plain

High resolution seismic data enables the definition
of sedimentary features and stratigraphic trap styles
Channels are
highlighted by
colouring extreme
ends of the
amplitude spectrum
2. Qualitative & quantitative definition
of rock & fluid properties
requirements:
• Lithology / fluid prediction
• Porosity mapping
• Fracture networks and
permeability
• Saturation / pressure mapping
1.0
4
1.2 Post-stack Acoustic Inversion 0
0
1.4 0
50
Seconds
Feet
00
1.6
1.0 6
0
1.8 0 4
1.2 7
0 0
0
0
0
1.4 0
0 50
Seconds
Feet
Detailed Stratigraphic 00
Interpretation
1.6
6
0
1.8 0
7
0
0
Improved seismic resolution through acoustic
inversion enables resolution of thin beds in
mature field
Marine seismic reveal true extent
of a previously unmapped
reservoir sand body in North Sea
oil field. These sands from the
Brent group are known to be 26
feet thick at the well location.
The definition of these sands

may be instrumental in
extending the life of the field
4D Seismic - the Concept
Also known as Seismic Reservoir Monitoring or
Time-Lapse Seismic
Consists of 3D seismic surveys, repeated after
intervals of substantial production
Successive surveys analysed for differences
Observes fluid changes in the reservoir
Available between & beyond the wells
Classification of Gullfaks data
1985 1995 Difference
0 1 No change Large change

SHCindicator
34 well locations selected; additional
600 million bbl producible reserves
found as result of 4D

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Static and Dynamic models

Static Model refers to the model of system not during

Dynamic model refers to runtime model of the system. This

These are referred to as the cell's properties.

Facies Petrophysical Volume Plotting Well

The purpose of creating a model is to help understand,

Think on how your choices will affect the building of

Input: Fault sticks, fault polygons, seismic interpretations, 2D

Common pre-processing processes:

Open the settings for the horizon

Lines can be separated by:

Display the fault sticks in 3D.

Default will the scissor give you

To remove the line segment:

Grid up a 2D surface to use

Visualization and quality check.

To clear all parameters from last run,

Highlight object in Petrel Explorer.

Open the geometry tab:

If the fault sticks are extended much above

Fault sticks after they have been cut

But just a small part are inside the area

Doesn't matter if you cut the sticks or

Input: Fault sticks, surfaces

 Single, branching and crossing faults

Curved fault Listric fault Vertical fault Linear fault

 Identify the framework faults

 Plan the segments

1. Select the fault

2. Make sure the

Tips: To change the direction of

Two options for inserting new

 Select the end pillar on the fault

Tips: Sometimes it’s easier

 Display the faults in a 3D

 Adjust the faults to approximate the same height before

The Extend distance is the distance

The Remove distance is the

Tips: The automatic fault

Input: Fault model

Trends and faults

Tips: The I and J direction should be

 Display the fault model in a

Tips: Trends are used for the same

1. Go to Pillar Gridding Settings and

2. Click the “Automatic Direction

A trend can be used as a

The fault or trend will

The fault will be used as a

 Define the trend.

Edge limit: Recommended when the fault

Local Iterative Method: This will assign

Vector field Method: trends will be assigned

Petrel will only adjust the

Pillar Geometry tab (Pillar

Grid line layout: The grid line lay out

Grid edge settings defines the

Note: It is also possible to turn off

Legend for the gridding e.g. what

Two important QC steps:

 Distance from fault where extrapolation

Horizon from input data

Set the displacement settings