1. n. [Reservoir Characterization]

The study of samples of data from a complete dataset (or population) to attempt to estimate the behavior of the population. Typically, geostatistics is applied during the creation of high-resolution subsurface models of mineral deposits or oil reservoirs. The data are available only from well cores and logs (high vertical resolution but laterally infrequent data samples) and from surface seismic (low vertical resolution) data. Geostatistically derived reservoir models, when successful, are used in reservoir simulations and for reservoir management.

See related terms: geostatistical modeling,  kriging,  log,  reservoir modeling,  reservoir simulation,  vertical resolution