Petrel 2008.1

The 2008.1 release of Petrel* software brings to the
petrotechnical desktop not only improvements over
the traditional geophysics, geology, and engineering
tools but cutting-edge technology.
NEW ENHANCEMENTS
Innovation
■ Graphics processing unit
(GPU)-based multivolume
rendering and geobody
extraction
Workflow
■ Autotracking improvements
■ Synthetic trace import
■ New fault surface
triangulation algorithm
■ Inclusion of levees in channel
modeling
■ Equipment and hydraulic
fractures for completions
■ Gradual local gridding option
■ Sector modeling
Usability
■ Item selection from 3D/2D
windows
■ Annotation of horizons/faults
in interpretation window
■ Seismic data prefetched to
cache for improved performance
■ Well symbol control for
subfolders
■ Improved kriging performance
on large datasets
■ Volume calculation

The 2008.1 release of Petrel* software brings to the
petrotechnical desktop not only improvements over
the traditional geophysics, geology, and engineering
tools but cutting-edge technology.

Volume and geobody interpretation
3D seismic interpretation has traditionally been per-
formed by picking points on 2D displays of 3D seismic
cubes. The new Petrel Geobody interpretation
module employs state-of-the-art volume-blending
technology to quickly isolate, extract, and integrate
a body directly into a property model for true 3D
volume interpretation. This allows users to interac-
tively blend multiple seismic volumes, isolate areas
of interest, and then instantly extract those areas into
a 3D object called a geobody. This “what you see is
what you pick” approach to volume interpretation is

meters, allowing a clear picture of the depositional
environment. These geobodies can be created or
directly included in the 3D geological model, provid-
ing a complete seismic-to-modeling workflow.

Horizon interpretation
Interpretation is further improved by enhancements
to autotracking workflows, including independent
refinement of the dip angle of the tracked event in
both inlines and crosslines for improved accuracy
in 3D volume inter
possible with both an asymmetrical and a symmetrical wavelet.
Asymmetrical wavelet tracking allows the user to focus on the data
either above or below the event to guide tracking, greatly enhancing
results particularly in areas of low data quality.

GEOLOGY AND MODELING
Performance
The oil industry today is constantly exploring ways to build bigger and
more detailed reservoir models. However, larger models require longer
process run times and the need to work faster becomes critical. Petrel
2008.1 software improves performance by supporting multithreading for
depth conversion, establishing horizons, volume calculation, some geo-
metrical modeling methods, and property modeling (kriging)—freeing the
user’s time for other work or for running multiple realizations. In addition,
enhanced data-tree performance for projects with large numbers of tree
nodes has improved speed and performance when scrolling in the data
tree, copying and reparenting well logs, and applying saved searches
with large numbers of well tops displayed.

RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
Sector model
The ability to test models in a small portion of the field is essential
because the simulation of big models is so time-consuming. The new
Petrel 2008.1 release enables the creation of single-sector models,
allowing the user to perform quick simulations on small areas of the
full field model, which requires less memory and eliminates the need
to rewrite or reexport the dataset.

Hydraulic fractures
Hydraulic fractures are commonly used to improve the inflow perform-
ance of wells in low-permeability reservoirs. These fractures are usually
defined in simulation using nonstructural grids around the fracture plane,
increasing the computation time because of the complexity of the mesh.
However, fractures can also be defined by length, height, permeability,
and orientation in the simulation model and can be simulated by modify-
ing the well productivity index (PI) and transmissibility of surrounding
cells, achieving the same result as with complex grids. Petrel 2008.1
software allows users to model fractures in full field simulation models
in this way, which has a negligible impact on run time but captures the
effects of flow patterns at the global model scale.

Compositional fluids
Volatile oil and gas condensate reservoirs cannot be modeled accurately
with conventional black-oil models. The ability to model fluids at varying
levels of approximation is essential, because real hydrocarbon fluids
can be extremely complex mixtures. The Petrel 2008.1 release provides
the ability to import and use equations of state in simulation, define
sample compositions, and plot phase envelopes for a better under-
standing of the fluids in the reservoir.