Automated Field Development Plan Generation for Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for developing hydrocarbon reservoirs, such as manually generating field development plans (FDPs), are inefficient and costly, especially in complex scenarios with multiple wells and geographic limitations, leading to difficulties in optimizing production potential and accommodating changes without significant delays.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for rapidly generating FDPs that optimize hydrocarbon reservoir development by determining well parameters, including location, azimuth, and trajectory, to maximize contact with the pay-zone, while honoring constraints, allowing for quick updates and experimentation with different scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual generation of FDPs is used, then flexibility in handling simple reservoirs is maintained, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate significantly in complex scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in handling simple reservoirsVSAvoidtime efficiency in generating FDPs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of FDP generation with an automated computer-based system that uses algorithms to generate well trajectories and FDPs, dramatically improving productivity while maintaining adaptability through configurable parameters and constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of parameters such as well spacing, trajectory angles, and geographic constraints, enabling the same automated system to adapt to both simple and complex reservoir scenarios without losing time efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual FDP generation is used for complex reservoirs with multiple wells and geographic limitations, then customization is possible, but loss of time and cost increase exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidtime required to generate FDPs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated computer-based system replaces manual FDP generation, eliminating the exponential time increase associated with complex reservoirs while maintaining full customization capability through programmable constraints and parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an automated computational intermediary that handles the complex calculations and trajectory optimizations, freeing human experts from time-consuming manual work while preserving their ability to define constraints and review results

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If FDP changes are made after initial development, then adaptability to new information is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of resolution increase due to cascading issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to incorporate new informationVSAvoidcomplexity of resolving cascading changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to be dynamic and reconfigurable, allowing FDP parameters and constraints to be modified and regenerated efficiently, reducing the complexity of incorporating changes compared to static manual processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The automated system pre-calculates and stores multiple trajectory options and constraint configurations, enabling rapid reconfiguration when changes are needed without triggering cascading complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If automated FDP generation is implemented, then productivity and speed are improved, but manufacturing precision and constraint satisfaction may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of FDP generationVSAvoidaccuracy of constraint satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The computer-based automated system uses precise algorithms and computational methods to calculate well trajectories and satisfy constraints, achieving both high speed and high precision that cannot be obtained through manual methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that automatically check and adjust trajectories to ensure all geographic and technical constraints are satisfied, maintaining manufacturing precision while operating at automated speeds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10060227B2Systems and methods for developing hydrocarbon reservoirs

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Provided in some embodiments are systems and methods for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir. A method may include, for each of a plurality of prosed hydrocarbon wells, determining a reservoir entry point corresponding to a location at a top limiting surface of the hydrocarbon reservoir, determining a reservoir exit point corresponding to a location at a bottom limiting surface of the hydrocarbon reservoir, and determining a well trajectory that includes a path that extends downward gradually from the reservoir entry point at the top limiting surface to reservoir exit point at the bottom limiting surface. The method also including generating a field development plan (FDP) for the hydrocarbon reservoir, the FDP including development information for each well of the plurality of wells, including the determined well trajectory for the well.