Integrated field characterization and static hydrocarbon reserve estimation of the Penobscot Field, Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

The Penobscot Field, located within the Scotian Basin offshore Nova Scotia, Canada, represents an underexplored hydrocarbon field with potential for future development. Previous studies have been confined to specific reservoir intervals without integrating multiple stratigraphic levels, and a comprehensive static reservoir characterization and volumetric assessment of the Penobscot Field has yet to be undertaken, constraining its full development evaluation. This study presents a comprehensive characterization of the field by integrating geological, geophysical, and petrophysical datasets, leading to static hydrocarbon reserve estimation. The workflow involves seismic interpretation, structural modeling, petrophysical evaluation, and static volumetric calculations. Seismic analysis revealed a structurally complex setting dominated by normal and inverted faults, with reservoir intervals primarily within the Missisauga Formation, which is subdivided into upper, middle, and lower units. Petrophysical evaluation from well logs and core data identified key reservoir properties, including porosity ranging from 12 % to 28 %, permeability spanning from 1 to 1000 mD, and variable water saturations. Stochastic modeling of facies and petrophysical attributes provided insights into lateral and vertical heterogeneity. The Penobscot Field's original oil-in-place ranges from 41.6 × 10⁶ m³ to 109.7 × 10⁶ m³, with the Middle Missisauga sands presenting the highest reservoir potential. Fault seal analysis indicated predominantly sealing behavior in the shallow sections and semi-permeable conditions at greater depths, suggesting potential lateral migration pathways. The results underscore the field's hydrocarbon potential while emphasizing the significance of structural complexity, facies distribution, and petrophysical variability in reservoir quality, as well as its potential for future development or utilization of similar sand reservoirs for CO₂ storage utilization. This work provides the first fully integrated static reservoir model of the Penobscot Field, offering critical insights for delineating the hydrocarbon reservoirs potential and future production strategies in the Scotian Basin.