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Combined Geophysical–Geological Investigation for 3D Geological Modeling: Case of the Jeffara Reservoir Systems, Medenine Basin, SE Tunisia

Natural Resources Research volume 31, pages 1329–1350 (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

This work presents a comprehensive study based on geophysical and geological data to improve the characterization of regional multilayered reservoir systems in a complex geological setting. A combined approach, involving (a) data integration, (b) joint seismic-geological investigations, (c) mapping of reservoir surfaces and (d) 3D geological modeling, is proposed to characterize the “Jeffara of Medenine Basin” reservoir systems and to enhance the understanding of their functioning. The 3D geological modeling was performed using a 3D interpolation procedure based on potential field theory and integrating both observed data and knowledge-driven understanding. It was implemented using co-kriging techniques, involving two main variables: the “geological contact” and the “orientation data.” The interpolation was constrained by geological knowledge and hypotheses inferred through the stratigraphic pattern of the reservoir formations to be modeled and the faults affecting their continuity. A reliable 3D geological modeling was constructed, describing nine regional reservoir formations and associated structural features (folds and crosscutting faults). A comprehensive analysis of the outputs of the 3D geological model combined with a careful correlation of the potentiometric gradient/lithologic properties insured a better description of the reservoirs compartmentalization and connectivity and helped to construct the conceptual model of the fluid flow path at regional and local scales. All modeling results provide a direct foundation for subsequent numerical flow simulation and hydrodynamic modeling.

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Acknowledgments

This work was part of the project “Geomodeling and Natural Resources Characterization,” undertaken in the Georesources Laboratory of the Center for Water Research and Technologies. The authors would like to thank the Tunisian National Oil Company (ETAP) for providing seismic and petroleum well data and the General Directorate of Water Resources (DGRE) for providing borehole data.

Funding

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Georesources Laboratory, Center for Water Research and Technologies, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia

    Imen Mezni & Hayet Chihi

  2. Tunisian National Oil Company (ETAP), Tunis, Tunisia

    Mohamed Aymen Bounasri & Abdelhamid Ben Salem

  3. Intrepid Geophysics, Suite 110, 3 Male Street, Brighton, VIC, 3186, Australia

    Simge Ayfer

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  1. Imen Mezni
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  2. Hayet Chihi
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  3. Mohamed Aymen Bounasri
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  4. Abdelhamid Ben Salem
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Correspondence to Imen Mezni.

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Mezni, I., Chihi, H., Bounasri, M. et al. Combined Geophysical–Geological Investigation for 3D Geological Modeling: Case of the Jeffara Reservoir Systems, Medenine Basin, SE Tunisia. Nat Resour Res 31, 1329–1350 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-022-10067-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-022-10067-2

Keywords

  • 3D Potential field interpolation
  • Geological knowledge constraints
  • Complex geological settings
  • Reservoir connectivity
  • Fluid flow path