Report on the thesis by Marius Verscheure presented to MINES ParisTech - Géosciences et Ressources Naturelles. The title of the thesis is "Inversion conjointe des proprieties géométriques et hydrodynamiques d’un réservoir fracturé"

Conclusions from the report on the thesis by Marius Verscheure The main contribution of this thesis consists in the demonstration of the feasibility of deriving a realistic stochastic fault model including sub-seismic faults that can be calibrated to both static and dynamic data and subsequently perturbed for increasing the accuracy of production forecasts. One further merit is the validation of the methodology obtained by comparing it to the reality defined by a semi-real dataset. The work is professional, well illustrated showing the seriousness of the work of the candidate and demonstrates his ability to write scientific contributions. However, in the bibliography the author¡¦s joint paper "History Matching of a Realistic Stochastic Fault Model Using Fractal Geometry and the Gradual Deformation Method" presented at the SPE/EAGE Annual Conference and Exhibition, 14-17 June 2010, Barcelona, Spain and published as SPE paper 129759 is missing and the reference should be included. Further the full paper deserves to be included as an annex in view of the nonexistence of an English abstract. It is the reviewer¡¦s opinion that the thesis represents an important advance in the use of sub-seismic faults in history matching, and its findings will undoubtedly lead to further research along the avenues which the candidate has opened by introducing this novel methodology. The candidate should be commended for having pursued a piece of research which tries to advance the state-of-the-art of realistic stochastic fault modeling in history matching which is an emerging discipline of vital importance to the petroleum industry in its effort to enhance recovery and reduce costly development mistakes. The thesis is a comprehensive, well-documented, precise and pedagogically presented research work which clearly demonstrates the high professional level obtained by the candidate in reservoir modeling and compares in quality well with similar thesis outside France. Given the high scientific and technical quality of Marius Verscheures work, I strongly agree that this manuscript should be accepted for doctoral defense.