Produção Científica



Artigo em Revista
26/02/2024

Prediction of stress components using the Beltrami-Michell method
This paper describes some numerical experiments for stress modeling in the zone around a reservoir in a sedi-mentary basin, where oil and gas exploration is real or potential. We aim to map mainly low- and high-pressure
zones, under the principle that they act as push-and-pull natural pumps for fluid accumulation. The necessary data for practical work is based on seismic data, as a post-migration process with the knowledge of velocities of
the P and S waves, and the density information. The computation is designed for simple geometries to represent a reservoir geology, and it is addressed as a boundary value problem (BVP) involving the Beltrami-Michell’s partial
differential equation with Dirichlet conditions. The method employed was the Green’s function expressed by Fourier series for the solution of the BVP, where the boundary conditions are given by the stress components
along the boundary of the target volume. The first stress invariant controls the elastic mechanical behavior of the subsoil; therefore, once the distribution of rock pressure is obtained, and the boundary conditions are defined, solving the BVP allows the calculation of the stress components distribution (normal and tangential) within a separate target volume for details. The relationship between rock pressure and stress components is established by the Beltrami-Michell problem, which takes the form of a Poisson’s equation. The proposed method was applied in a more complex target zone present in the Marmousi model, which contains reservoirs within regions
of interest, expanding to more realistic complex problems.

Artigo em Revista
22/01/2024

Long memory and trend in time series of precipitation in Mozambique
Many climate studies in Mozambique have clearly identified signals of climate change, especially changes in the extreme temperatures. Regarding precipitation, there is still a gap on the knowledge of how it is behaving due to both internal and external factors in the climate system. In this study, we have investigated the existence of long-term correlations and trend in time series of precipitation. Two databases were used for this purpose: in situ observations along the period of 1960–2020 and the Climate Hazards group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) dataset, along the period from 1981 to 2021. We have applied the rescaled-range analysis and the detrended fluctuation analysis for long memory investigation, and the linear
regression and Mann-Kendall methods for trend analysis. Results have shown the existence of long memory in precipitation in most parts of Mozambique, being stronger in the southern and central regions and weakening toward the north of the country. On the other hand, significant trend signals of precipitation were detected in some isolated areas of Mozambique,
presenting an increase in some regions such as the southern part of Manica and eastern of Inhambane provinces and a decrease in other regions such as the coastal areas of Zambezia and Nampula. These findings indicate that the probability of a random occurrence of precipitation is minimal, and the observed trends are likely to continue for a long period in future. Dry land
agriculture should be prepared to adapt to new precipitation regime in the regions mentioned hereof

Material Didático
18/12/2023

MANUAL DE INTERPRETAÇÃO DE FRATURAS EM MODELOS DIGITAIS DE AFLORAMENTO UTILIZANDO O SOFTWARE CLOUDCOMPARE
O processo de investigação geocientífica comumente inclui o estudo de afloramentos relevantes, nos quais é possível observar, medir e amostrar feições de interesse do
geocientista. Apesar da relevância do estudo de afloramentos, certas condições podem inviabilizar ou dificultar uma visita presencial a uma área de estudos, a exemplo de precariedades de acessibilidade e segurança ou altos custos com deslocamento e logística. Nesse contexto, os Modelos Digitais de Afloramento (Digital Outcrop Models,
em inglês) mostram-se como um recurso importante, sendo uma representação fiel do campo e que pode ser acessada em laboratório. O conceito de DOM refere-se a superfícies 3D ou nuvens de pontos (Jones et al., 2008) que remontam afloramentos geológicos de forma digital, frequentemente
em alta resolução (Bellian et al., 2005). Os modelos gerados podem ser texturizados a partir de fotografias do afloramento, no caso das superfícies 3D, ou
colorizados, no caso das nuvens de pontos (Bistacchi et al., 2022). Via de regra, os DOMs podem ser construídos a partir de duas ferramentas principais, as quais são o LIDAR (Bellian et al., 2005; Rotevatn et al., 2009; Furtado et al., 2022) e a fotogrametria (Triantafyllou et al., 2019; Nesbit et al., 2020). Em adição, essas técnicas podem ser realizadas de forma terrestre ou aérea, a depender do escopo do levantamento. A aplicação dos DOMs é extremamente vasta e frequentemente envolve a correlação dos modelos de afloramento com dados de sísmica, poços, litoestratigrafia e redes de fraturas determinísticas ou estocásticas (Marques et al., 2020). Especificamente no campo da geologia estrutural, diversos trabalhos lançam mão dos DOMs para a realização de interpretações estruturais (Martinelli et al., 2020; Pontes et al., 2021; Furtado et al., 2022), a partir das quais parâmetros estatísticos podem ser calculados e reproduzidos em redes de fraturas discretas estocásticas (Giuffrida et al., 2020; Dantas et al., 2022; Racolte et al., 2022). Por sua vez, as redes de fraturas discretas (usualmente Discrete Fracture Networksou DFNs) podem ser parte de modelos estáticos utilizados em simulações de fluxo de fluido.

Artigo em Revista
12/07/2023

Barbieri Criterion for Solution Appraisal in Geophysical Diffraction Tomography.
Diffraction tomography provides a high resolution velocity image from the region under study. Because it is a type of ill-conditioned inverse problem, diffraction tomography requires some kind of regularization, such as regularization by derivative matrices. Quantitative or qualitative criteria for the solution appraisal of inverse problems are just as important as the solution itself. An effective criterion is the Barbieri approach, which is the main scope in this study. It is implemented in three steps: (i) the estimated model obtained through the inversion of the observed data (scattered acoustic field); (ii) a second inversion, this time of the complementary observed data which provides the complementary estimated model; (iii) the sum of the estimated model and complementary estimated model. If the inversion is exact, this sum must be a constant value for the whole vector. If this does not occur, the sum image indicates that the inversion was not satisfactory (quantitative effect) and in which regions the estimated model was not well recovered (qualitative effect). Simulations were performed on two synthetic models, one with well-to-well geometry and the other with surface seismics geometry. The results, confronted with the RMS deviation between the estimated and the true model, validated the use of the Barbieri criterion in diffraction tomography.

Artigo em Revista
21/06/2023

Compartmentalization and stratigraphic-structural trapping in pre-salt carbonate reservoirs of the Santos Basin: A case study in the Iara complex
The reservoir characterization of the Brazilian Santos basin’s pre-salt carbonates is a major challenge due to the
faciological and depositional complexity, providing high lateral and vertical heterogeneities, and consequently,
the formation of static/dynamic intraformational seals. Regarding this context, there is a massive pre-salt
accumulation known as the Iara Cluster. During the early development stage, this cluster was split into three
distinct accumulations named Berbigao, Sururu, and Atapu. This study aims to characterize the geological and hydrodynamic factors that affect the Iara Cluster reservoir compartmentalization. To achieve this objective, we
applied an integrated analysis based on 3D seismic interpretation, well logs, pressure formation and fluid
geochemistry analysis. The spatial distribution of the reservoir range’s five main seismic patterns indicates potential stratigraphic-structural barrier zones. The well log analysis correlated with formation pressure data
enabled the identification of several irregular oil-water contacts and free water levels. Small relative variations
are associated with the perched-water phenomenon, while large variations are related to compartmentalization.
The formation pressure analysis shows the hydraulic compartmentalization of the reservoirs in the Berbigao ˜
Field. Sururu and Atapu fields’ oil zones are possibly connected by a dynamic sealing zone or a common aquifer,
which provides a pressure balance on a geological time scale, since their oil gradients are similar. Our analyzes
identified stratigraphic components in reservoir trapping associated with reservoir quality lateral obliteration.
Dissimilarities in the oil sample composition and properties indicate different petroleum charge histories along with the distinct CO2 contamination timing. The Berbigao oil-associated gas formed in earlier stages of maturation than the Sururu and Atapu samples. The results integration through a risk matrix revealed areas with a
greater chance of compartmentalization and perched-water phenomenon. Our study highlights the importance of
multidisciplinary analysis to comprehend complex carbonate reservoirs connectivity, and offers input to de-risk
new ventures’ pre-salt reservoir quality.

Artigo em Revista
19/06/2023

Analysis of alternative strategies applied to Naïve-Bayes classifier into the recognition of electrofacies: Application in well-log data at Recôncavo Basin, North-East Brazil.
This paper is concerned with the applicability of different strategies to improve the definition of prior probabilities and/or likelihoods of naïve Bayes (NB) classifiers. Standard NB method computes likelihoods and priors by means of normal distributions and evaluation of the entire training data-set, respectively. NB is one of the most prolific classification methods in data mining and machine learning. Despite decent efficiency facing good training data, NB classifiers present the intriguing assumption of conditional independence between the attributes. Several algorithms have been proposed to improve the effectiveness of NB classifiers by inserting discriminant approaches into its generative structure. From a reliability perspective, the standard NB approach might not explore the real capabilities of NB classifiers facing the lithologic classification problem. To cover such distrust, a novel approach considering four particular strategies are suggested and compared to the standard NB classification outcomes. At first, a kernel density estimation (KDE) is considered to ameliorate the likelihood models. We also apply the NB classifier in parts by separating the training data-set in individual wells in a committee architecture framework. A tuning strategy is also considered for automatic estimation of prior probabilities in an optimization-scheme. Another novel alternative, named as CRC, adapted to the standard NB classifier consists in defining priors based on depth zones from regional stratigraphic information in which to apply NB classifier. We prepare an extensive statistical investigation, based on precision, recall, classification errors, fscores and confusion matrices to bespeak the most relevant NB strategy for classification of electrofacies. Despite the decent classification outcomes for all above-mentioned strategies, CRC can be considered, by a narrow margin, the most prolific method to be applied as an improvement of the standard NB to classify rock units. Tests are performed on a validation well (i.e., 7-MP-50D-BA) of Massapê Field, in Recôncavo Basin, northeast Brazil to highlight the classification particularities provided by the improved strategy. A significant improvement in the classification of sandstones (i.e., from 68 % to 83 % accuracy) is observed, according to the confusion matrix analysis. Additionally, a minimal decreasing is observed into the classification of shales and slurries (i.e., from 92% to 90% and to
% to 56%, respectively), which is acceptable according to the fscores and errors. This aspect reinforces the relevance of using the NB classifier jointly with previous geologic information to optimize the lithologic classification.

Artigo em Revista
19/06/2023

Curvelet Denoising for Preconditioning of 2D Poststack Seismic Data Inversion: Application to Data from the Marimbá Oil Field, Offshore Brazil.
Seismic inversion methods are crucial for understanding subsurface structures; however, the presence of noise in the data can negatively impact the results of these methods. To address this issue, state-of-art applications employ a variety of techniques to enhance the signal over the noise, with researchers developing increasingly sophisticated denoising methods and combining them into new procedures to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). While some methodologies operate on a single scale, the curvelet transform is a multi-scale transform useful for decomposing seismic signals into multi-resolution and multi-direction elements. Here, we evaluate the effectiveness of denoising by means of curvelet thresholding as a preconditioning method for poststack seismic data in a 2D acoustic inversion processing using a Bayesian framework. Our application of the curvelet thresholding method on the Marmousi model and a real dataset from a Brazilian offshore basin demonstrates that it can successfully eliminate random noise. Even the use of a hard global threshold, dependent on curvelet scale and orientation, led to improvements in the deepest parts of the models. However, we observed a decrease in the SNR in the presence of soft rocks with pronounced absorption, which are typical in the shallowest regions. Future work will have to explore alternative methods for selecting coefficients that can robustly incorporate changes in the seismic wavelet with depth.

Artigo em Revista
29/05/2023

Impact of fracture set scales and aperture enlargement due to karstic dissolution on the fluid flow behavior of carbonate reservoirs: A workflow to include sub-seismic fractures in 3D simulation model
Carbonate reservoirs might contain a large number of critical heterogeneities, such as fractures and karstic features, although some the existing heterogeneities cannot be identified due to the lack of seismic resolution. Our main objective is to evaluate which fracture scales need to be included in the fluid flow simulation models and, in particular, how to model subseismic fractures. We also consider the presence of enlarged fractures in the reservoir models due to karstic dissolution. The fracture network used to compose the simulation models is based on the real karstified fracture sets of the Soledade outcrop, Jandaíra Formation (Potiguar Basin, Brazil). This formation is a large and well-preserved karstified carbonate platform of the Turonian-Campanian age related to the South Atlantic opening. Our work is divided into three phases: in Phase 0, we show how to upscale the fracture network of the Soledade outcrop to in-situ deep conditions. As a result, a semi-synthetic simulation model is composed from the Soledade Outcrop data and of a Brazilian Pre-Salt carbonate reservoir. In Phase 1, we evaluated the impact of the fracture scales and fracture enlargement due to karstic dissolution on the fluid flow behavior of the semi-synthetic reservoir. Finally, in Phase 2, we propose and validate a fluid flow simulation workflow allowing to estimate a statistically equivalent network of subseismic fractures, which might be used on multiple data assimilation methods or in risk analysis of green fields. Results from Phase 1 evidence that subseismic fractures can significantly impact the fluid flow behavior, depending on the producing well location in relation to the fracture network and on the presence of enlarged fractures due to karstic dissolution. On the other hand, the Phase 2 results provide the oil and gas industry with a workflow to better characterize sub-seismic fractures in fluid flow simulation models.

Artigo em Revista
29/05/2023

Three-dimensional characterization of karstic dissolution zones, fracture networks, and lithostratigraphic interfaces using GPR cubes, core logs, and petrophysics: Implications for thief zones develop
Fractures and karstic dissolution features have been recognized to significantly affect subsurface fluid flow on a range of scales in carbonate rocks. However, due to the information gap between seismic and borehole scales, characterizing these features is a real challenge. We present a three-dimensional multidisciplinary approach to identify the main factors controlling the formation of connected rock volumes composed by permeable karstic dissolution zones. We investigate two outcrops in the Jandaíra Formation, which is an intensely fractured and karstified carbonate platform in the Potiguar Basin, Brazil. Two GPR cubes are jointly interpreted with cored boreholes, borehole images, petrophysical profiles, and thin sections. We verified that attenuated zones of GPR signal are related to secondary carbonate changes caused by fracturing and/or diagenetic alterations, leading to the development of relatively high secondary permeability. At least three types of attenuation/karstic zones might occur: fractured or broken zones affected by fracture enlargement due to dissolution, zones submitted to intense diagenetic alterations, and void spaces as a final end-member of these two processes. Fractures are preferential routes to fluid flow, thus contributing to increase dissolution processes, particularly in layers having relatively high values of primary matrix porosity and permeability. On the other hand, relevant diagenetic alterations might occur in layers that contain high concentration of stylolites. As a result of interconnecting dissolved stylolites, zones of relatively high secondary permeability can be created regardless of the primary values of matrix porosity and permeability. Geobodies of connected volumes of karstic zones often present tabular shapes and are delimited by subvertical fractures and subhorizontal lithostratigraphic interfaces. In the reservoir scale, these tabular geobodies might compose highly connected permeable volumes of altered carbonate rocks that constitute thief zones or super-K layers.

Artigo em Revista
29/05/2023

Combined Nd isotope systematics and geophysical data constrain the crustal evolution of the disrupted Alto Moxotó Terrane, Borborema Province, Brazil
The accretionary record of Precambrian orogens is often masked by systematic magmatic, metamorphic and/or structural overprints. The Neoproterozoic Borborema Province presents direct linkage to several orogenic belts along western Gondwana, but its crustal evolution is contentious resulting in a range of geological models. In the region, exotic terranes that might have been docked via thrust- and strike slip structures preserve pre-Gondwana events that provide glimpses for the evolution of orogenic systems more generally. A total of 201 Smsingle bondNd analysis of the Archean-Paleoproterozoic Alto Moxotó Terrane, central Borborema Province reveals source ages in granitic, mafic and metasedimentary rocks that are mostly Paleoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic, which contrast with the adjacent terranes. The successive juvenile inputs and crustal reworking from Neoarchean (ca. 2.6 Ga) to mid-Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.1 Ga) diverge with the early to late Neoproterozoic dominant crust of the neighboring blocks. 3D geophysical modelling highlights the unique signature of the Alto Moxotó Terrane compared to these blocks, including: i) K-poor and Th-rich crust and ii) higher gravity gradients when compared with the bordering lithospheric record, both in gamma-spectrometric and gravimetric maps. Moreover, prominent magnetic anomalies in all magnetometric maps coincide with the major shear zones, including previously proposed terrane boundaries, suggesting that they might represent cryptic or unmapped suture zones. The isotopic and geophysical data are consistent with derivation of the Alto Moxotó Terrane from older crustal blocks such as the São Francisco and Congo cratons and provide a model to the understanding of the accretionary evolution of western Gondwana.

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