Updating multipoint simulations using the ensemble Kalman filter

In the last two decades, the multipoint simulation (MPS) method has been developed and increasingly used for building complex geological fades models that are conditioned to geological and geophysical data. In the meantime, the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) approach has been developed and recognized as a promising way for assimilating dynamic production data into reservoir models. So far, the EnKF approach is proven efficient for updating continuous model parameters that have a linear statistical relation with the flow responses. It remains challenging to extend the EnKF approach to updating complex geological facies models generated by MPS, while preserving their geological and statistical consistency. In this paper, we introduce a new method for parameterizing geostatistical reservoir models generated by MPS. It is mathematically proven that updating these parameters during a history matching process does not compromise the hard data conditioning and the geological and statistical consistency of the reservoir model defined by the training image and other information including global facies proportions, trend maps etc. This method is an alternative to the gradual deformation method but has an enlarged search space for covering possible solutions. Based on the above parameterization, we present two algorithms of using EnKF approach to update multipoint simulations to dynamic data. We also present results of using the above methodology to condition a sector model of a fluvial reservoir to dynamic data. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.