Mapping fluid distribution in a pinch-out reservoir model: A physical modeling study

• Physical modeling of a pinch-out reservoir filled with two immiscible fluids
• Testing different techniques of seismic imaging to delineate oil–water contact
• Case study showing the characterization of a complex fluid distribution pattern

This work shows the results obtained from seismic physical modeling experiments that image the non-homogeneous, two-phase distribution of immiscible fluids inside a cavity in a pinch-out model. The main goal of this study was to verify how the seismic sections can be used to observe the fluid distribution in this type of reservoir. A high-resolution deconvolution method was applied to improve the image resolution and depth migration correctly positioned the events. Instantaneous attributes were used to assist data interpretation. The results provided an image of the oil–water interface and revealed a complex fluid compartmentalization pattern that was confirmed by numerical modeling simulations. The results of this study should improve the understanding of mapping fluid distributions from seismic sections in pinch-out reservoirs.