It is now 10 years since the release of the FAG/Badleys TransGen software in 1999. Based on Tom Manzocchi's seminal paper [1] describing a geologically-based workflow for calculating fault-transmissibility multipliers in reservoir models, this methodology is now the industry-standard approach, often copied but never equalled.

The collaboration between the Fault Analysis Group (formerly Liverpool University, now UC Dublin) and Badleys dates back to the late 1980s. The world-leading research at the Fault Analysis Group has been a major input to the software portfolio of Badleys, and there have been many significant enhancements to the TransGen system during the last decade:

• 1999: TransGen-1 First commercial software for calculation of fault transmissibilities, based on fault-rock permeability related to fault-rock clay content (SGR).
• 2001: TransGen-2 Second generation software incorporating the ability to import Eclipse restart files; enhanced user interface.
• 2004: Incorporation of TransGen technology in TrapTester (TMXMapper module).
• 2004-7: TransGen-3 Release of three ground-breaking modules available in no other software, for the routine inclusion of :
  - fully-flexible fault-rock properties (derive fault-rock permeability from SGR, SSF, CSP, or any user-defined algorithm or look-up table)
  - sub-resolution fault-zone structure (modify fault throws, add subseismic faults, damage zones, paired slip surfaces and relay zones)
  - 2-phase fault-rock properties
  
  Further details of TransGen-3 functionality is given in Manzocchi et al 2008 [2].
  
• 2009: Inclusion of advanced TransGen-3 functionality within TrapTester6; batch processing for multiple scenarios.

The image above shows a pair of cell-stacks from an original model; at right, a sub-resolution relay ramp added in TransGen. In each case the coloured cells indicate those which have faulted connections to the highlighted cell (colours show transmissibility, red=high). These connections (and hence the effects on flow of the relay) are included in the original simulation model without grid refinements using non-neighbour transmissibilities.

This long track record of R&D combined with software innovation has ensured that the TransGen/TrapTester system is the world leader for fault-seal prediction and analysis in reservoir models. TransGen/TrapTester is proven to deliver geologically robust and reliable results and is in routine use by many of the worlds major oil companies (e.g. Jolley et al. [3]). Ten years on, no other application matches the geological expertise, R&D pedigree or advanced functionality of TransGen/TrapTester.

Key References:
[1] Manzocchi, T., Walsh, J.J., Nell, P., & Yielding, G. (1999). Fault transmissibility multipliers for flow simulation models. Petroleum Geoscience, Vol. 5, 53-63.
[2] Manzocchi T., Heath A. E., Palananthakumar B., Childs C. & Walsh J.J. (2008). Faults in conventional flow simulation models: a consideration of representational assumptions and geological uncertainties. Petroleum Geoscience, Vol. 14, 91-110.
[3] Jolley, S. J., Dijk, H., Lamens, J. H., Fisher, Q. J., Manzocchi, T., Eikmans, H. & Huang, Y. (2007). Faulting and fault sealing in production simulation models: Brent Province, northern North Sea. Petroleum Geoscience, Vol. 13, 321-340.

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