Integrated 3D facies modeling of the Mangahewa Formation, Maui Gas Field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

Abstract 3D seismic data, well logs, core-based lithofacies and photographs have been combined to interpret and model the depositional facies of the Mangahewa Formation of the Maui Gas Field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. The primary objective of the study is to generate a robust facies model for the Middle to Late Eocene (47–37 Ma) Mangahewa Formation of the field. The facies model has included eighteen depositional facies spatially distributed over the gas field. These facies are further subgrouped into three broad depositional facies associations, namely marginal marine, shallow marine and offshore environment. We have identified that marginal marine is the most dominant facies association (64%) within the model. The model visualizes estuarine and shoreface sand geobodies dominating over other facies within the model. Both geobodies comprise over 40% of all the facies interpreted in the field. The entire modeling process involves a novel stochastic approach using unique workflow that follows 3D gridding, coding of the facies classes and multiple iterations over the interpreted facies. The model therefore realistically visualizes potential facies responsible for “good”-quality reservoir sands in the Mangahewa Formation with possible retrogradation from older to younger succession