Advanced Petrophysics · Module A4
Rock Types, Flow Units, and Upscaling
From plug-scale rock types to flow units and simulation-grid properties. Topics include the Lorenz and Dykstra–Parsons heterogeneity measures, flow units from modified Lorenz plots and FZI clustering, arithmetic, harmonic and geometric averaging, thin-bed effects and Thomas–Stieber analysis.
- Level
- Advanced
- Position
- Module 4 of 8
- Video
- About 20 minutes, narrated
- Format
- Narrated video lesson and slide reading view; with the certified option, a quiz whose pass unlocks the next module.
What the module covers
- Lorenz and Dykstra–Parsons coefficients
- Defining flow units
- Arithmetic, harmonic and geometric upscaling
- The net-to-gross trap and thin beds
- Thomas–Stieber analysis of laminated sands
- Pseudo relative permeability and communicating upscaling risk
Learning outcomes
After the module you should be able to:
- Move from plug-scale rock types to mappable flow units and upscaled properties.
- Quantify heterogeneity and define flow units
- Choose the right average for the direction of flow
- Explain where upscaling concentrates risk
A short preview
Permeability averages depend on the direction of flow. For layers in parallel, flow along the bedding, the thickness-weighted arithmetic mean applies; for layers in series, flow across them, the harmonic mean. Take two equal layers of 500 mD and 5 mD: the arithmetic mean is 252.5 mD and the harmonic mean is 2 / (1/500 + 1/5) = 9.9 mD. A grid cell that uses the first value horizontally and the second vertically is consistent; one that uses a single average for both is not.
Who it is for
Experienced petrophysicists and geoscientists who interpret complex reservoirs and present interpretation risk to asset teams and management.
Prerequisites: The Intermediate Petrophysics track, or several years of interpretation work.
Take the module in the Learning Hub
Advanced Petrophysics: Eight advanced modules with narrated lessons; quizzes and certificate eligibility come with the certified option. The lesson opens in the Learning Hub once the track is purchased; graded quizzes and the certificate come with the certified option.