Integrated Basin Reservoir Simulation for Hydrocarbon Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reservoir and basin simulators operate separately and with different timescales, leading to uncertainty in geological history and separate results, making it challenging to accurately locate new oil and gas fields and predict reservoir performance based on thermal simulation of thermal history and chemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system that integrates basin and reservoir simulation interactively, using non-linear programming for geological history matching and calibrating basin simulation with measured initial conditions to predict hydrocarbon presence and reservoir performance, accounting for thermal and chemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If basin simulation and reservoir simulation are operated separately with different timescales, then each simulation can focus on its specific purpose, but the results are separate and uncertain, reducing the accuracy of locating new oil and gas fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines basin simulation and reservoir simulation into a single integrated system that operates on unified timescales. The basin simulator and reservoir simulator are merged to share common geological models, physical principles, and simulation parameters, allowing simultaneous consideration of both long-term geological evolution and short-term reservoir performance while eliminating the uncertainty of separate operations
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated simulation system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can conduct basin-scale geological history modeling, reservoir-scale production forecasting, and interactive calibration against measured data. The system universally handles both basin evolution timescales and reservoir production timescales within a single framework, enabling comprehensive analysis for locating new oil and gas fields
2Measurement precision
If basin simulation is used to reconstruct past geological history, then new oil and gas fields can be located, but uncertainty in geological history reduces prediction reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the integrated simulation system is calibrated against measured initial conditions from producing reservoirs. The system uses non-linear programming to adjust geological parameters and model predictions until they match actual production data, creating a feedback loop that continuously improves the accuracy and reliability of geological history reconstruction and prospect location predictions
3Reliability
If reservoir simulation is calibrated using historic pressure and production data, then future production can be predicted, but separate operation from basin simulation limits accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges basin simulation and reservoir simulation operations so that both simulations run concurrently on unified timescales. The reservoir simulation is calibrated using historic data while simultaneously informed by basin-scale geological models, eliminating the need for separate sequential operations and reducing the time required while improving accuracy through integrated modeling
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This integrated approach enhances the accuracy of locating new oil and gas accumulations by aligning basin simulation with actual production measures, improving the reliability of prospect locations and reservoir management.
Implementation Method 1
thermal simulation of thermal history and chemical reactions triggered by high temperature and pressure in subsurface geological structures
Implementation Method 2
chemical reactions triggered by high temperature and pressure in subsurface geological structures
Implementation Method 3
high temperature and pressure in subsurface geological structures
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing system is provided which determines the migration of oil and gas by a basin simulation section and predicts future reservoir performance from current reservoir production measures. The data processing system provides more accurate reservoir rock and fluid property distribution in reservoir locations between well locations where such attributes cannot be measured. The data processing system operates based on physical realities captured -rom migration by the basin simulation section. The data processing system differs from conventional methods, which use measurements obtained at the wells and interpolate between for regions between the wells using statistical techniques. Results from the data processing system shed more light into reservoir discontinuities among the wells, and yield better distribution of hydrogen sulfide, tar zones (Heavy Oil) within the reservoir. More accurate initial fluid and rock property distribution within the reservoir in a reservoir model obtained with the data processing system also improves production forecasting accuracy for hydrocarbon reservoirs by the reservoir simulation section.