Petrel is the industry standard for integrating subsurface data—from seismic interpretation to reservoir simulation—within a single 3D environment. This article covers the essential workflow, from data import to property modeling.
Your journey begins with the software's core interface. Before learning any single workflow, you must become comfortable navigating Petrel’s four main functional windows: (data source), Models (work achievements), Windows (interactive interface), and Processes (tool entry), as most basic operations are performed in the Input and Processes panes.
To calibrate your seismic time data with well depth data, you must perform a well-to-seismic tie. Create a Synthetic Seismogram
Horizons represent the top and bottom boundaries of your reservoir formations. Select the tool.
Identify fault planes by picking fault segments on seismic discontinuities, storing them as . Pillar Gridding petrel tutorial
Displays geological cellular grids, properties, and upscaled data generated during modeling.
Best for distributing deterministic shapes like fluvial channels or sand lobes into a mud matrix.
Petrophysical data is highly dependent on rock types; therefore, populate properties separately for each facies zone.
Click on a clear, distinct reflector to place a seed point. Open the 2D/3D Seeded Autotracker settings. Adjust the correlation threshold and amplitude constraints, then press Run to let Petrel automatically map the horizon across the entire volume. Petrel is the industry standard for integrating subsurface
To start reservoir modeling:
Choose your simulation engine simulator (e.g., or INTERSECT ). Click Run Simulation . 8. Results Post-Processing and Visualization
Right-click the Input Pane > Import (on selection) . Choose file type (SEGY).
: Define faults using "key pillars" to represent their dip, azimuth, and shape in 3D space. Before learning any single workflow, you must become
Before embarking on your modeling journey, it's crucial to understand the fundamental building blocks of any project in Petrel.
Define curves and capillary pressure tables under the Rock Physics section. Well Engineering and Completion Convert your geological well paths into simulation wells.
provides an integrated workspace from seismic interpretation to simulation, enabling geoscientists and engineers to build accurate, static, and dynamic subsurface models. This step-by-step tutorial covers the entire workflow required to build a robust, 3D structural and petrophysical reservoir model. 1. Project Setup and Data Import