In spite of a three-dimensional models many advantages, it is less often used in practice

than we might expect. This is because we have to weigh such factors as cost, data
availability and marginal utility. In many cases a three-dimensional model may be a luxury
that we can ill afford. On the other hand, there are certain problems in which it is a
technical necessity. Consider, for instance, a thick reservoir with no significant property
variation in the vertical direction; while a two-dimensional model would appear adequate
based on this description, it may turn out that the gravitational field contribution may be so
significant as to require a third dimension.