Core data being considered for upscaling must be evaluated to determine they are reservoir representative.

Some key considerations:

  • Is the core vertically and laterally representative?

  • Did anything happen to the core during retrieval or subsequent handling which may have caused unrepresentative data to be acquired?

  • Was the core sampled to honour lithological heterogeneity?

  • Were the core analysis methods compatible with petrophysical properties?

  • Did the core analysis method represent not only reservoir conditions such as net overburden pressure, but also such parameters as the anticipated production mechanism?

Core data should be thoroughly screened in this manner to ensure their suitability for upscaling. At this point, the upscaling method must then be judiciciouly considered.

Practical examples illustrating the above points are given throughout the paper.

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