Coupled Geomechanical Model for Subsurface Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geomechanical models struggle to accurately simulate the behavior of subsurface rock formations during hydrocarbon extraction and injection, leading to potential damage to well casings and environmental impacts due to stress changes and compaction, which existing methods fail to predict and manage effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for generating a three-dimensional geomechanical model using seismic and well log data to define a grid with mechanical and flow properties, solving momentum balance with the finite element method and mass balance with the finite volume method to determine rock displacement and pressure, enabling better hydrocarbon management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If geomechanical models simulate rock behavior during hydrocarbon extraction and injection, then prediction accuracy of stress changes and compaction improves, but computational complexity and data requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computational domain is divided into discrete grid cells, with momentum balance solved at vertices and mass balance solved at cell centers. This segmentation allows the complex coupled geomechanics problem to be broken into manageable parts that can be solved using standard numerical methods while maintaining overall accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coupled system that links momentum balance and mass balance equations through shared variables (stress, strain, pore pressure). This intermediary coupling mechanism enables accurate prediction of rock behavior while using established numerical methods rather than requiring entirely new complex algorithms.
2Reliability
If coupled porous flow and geomechanics modeling is implemented, then reliability of well integrity prediction improves, but model complexity and solution difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges porous flow modeling and geomechanics modeling into a single coupled system solved on the same grid. By combining these previously separate models, the system achieves reliable well integrity prediction through comprehensive simulation of fluid-rock interactions without requiring multiple separate complex models.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified geomechanical model serves multiple functions: it predicts stress changes, compaction, well casing damage, and reservoir deformation simultaneously. This multi-functionality improves reliability of well integrity prediction while avoiding the complexity of maintaining separate specialized models for each function.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed simulation of subsurface rock behavior is performed, then hydrocarbon management quality improves, but computational resources and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The model dynamically adapts to different simulation scenarios by solving momentum and mass balance equations on the same grid with flexible boundary conditions and material properties. This dynamic capability provides high-quality hydrocarbon management predictions for various production scenarios without requiring separate static models for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in material properties (permeability, porosity, elastic moduli) and boundary conditions to simulate different hydrocarbon extraction and injection scenarios. By changing parameters rather than creating entirely new models, the system maintains high management quality while reducing computational overhead.
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 approach allows for precise prediction and management of rock displacement and pressure changes, reducing the risk of well damage and environmental impact by providing a detailed simulation of subsurface rock behavior, enhancing hydrocarbon extraction and injection processes.
Implementation Method 1
solving, in combination and on the defined grid, both momentum balance at one part of the plurality of cells on the defined grid using a finite element method
Implementation Method 2
mass balance using finite volume method at another part of the plurality of cells on the defined grid
Implementation Method 3
accessing one or more governing equations of the geomechanical model representing poroelastic behavior
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating a three-dimensional geomechanical model of a subsurface volume is provided. The geomechanical model may be used to predict changes in geomechanical stress in the grid (such as a three-dimensional unstructured grid), which may be caused by extraction from or injection into the reservoir. The geomechanical model may be generated by solving, in combination, the finite element method at the vertices of a respective cell in the grid for momentum balance and the finite volume method at the center of the respective cell for mass balance. In this way, one or both of rock displacement or pore flow may be solved using the geomechanical model.