Reconstruction of rocks petrophysical properties as input data for reservoir modeling

The worldwide increasing energy demand triggered studies focused on defining the underground energy potential even in areas previously discharged or neglected. Nowadays, geological gas storage (CO2 and/or CH4) and geothermal energy are considered strategic for low-carbon energy development. A widespread and safe application of these technologies needs an accurate characterization of the underground, in terms of geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry and geomechanics. However, during pre-feasibility study-stage, the limited number of available direct measurements of reservoirs, and the high costs of reopening closed deep wells must be taken into account. The aim of this work is try to overcome these limits, proposing a new methodology to reconstruct vertical profiles, from surface to reservoir base, of: i) thermal capacity, ii) thermal conductivity, iii) porosity and iv) permeability, through integration of well-log information, petrographic observations on inland outcropping samples and, flow and heat transport modelling. As case study to test our procedure we selected a deep-structure, located in the medium Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy). Obtained results are consistent with measured data, confirming the validity of the proposed model. Notwithstanding intrinsic limitations due to manual calibration of the model with measured data, this methodology represents a useful tool for reservoir and geochemical modellers that need to define petrophysical input data for underground modelling before the well reopening. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.