Dual Fiber Partitioning for Geological Grid Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for partitioning geological domains into hexahedral cells, such as the primal cookie cutter algorithm, fail to accurately model faults and unconformities, especially in complex terrains with intersecting faults, leading to distorted cells and increased computational requirements, as they often generate polyhedral cells with multiple faces and non-orthogonal connections, which are not suitable for flow simulations.
Innovation Solution
The dual cookie cutter algorithm partitions the domain by using dual fibers and intersection points to generate hexahedral cells with orthogonal faces, effectively approximating faults in a stair-stepped manner, ensuring correct modeling of complex geometries and maintaining computational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the primal cookie cutter algorithm is used to partition geological domains, then the partitioning can be performed, but it generates polyhedral cells with multiple faces and non-orthogonal connections that are distorted and unsuitable for flow simulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional primal cookie cutter approach by using a dual-based algorithm. Instead of directly cutting the domain with primal curves, it constructs dual fibers from the primal structure and uses these dual elements to define the cell partitioning. This inversion transforms the problematic polyhedral cells into proper hexahedral cells with orthogonal faces, resolving the geometry accuracy issue while maintaining partitioning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the partitioning algorithm by switching from a primal-based to a dual-based construction method. This parameter change in the algorithmic approach fundamentally alters the cell topology from polyhedral with non-orthogonal faces to hexahedral with orthogonal faces, making the cells suitable for flow simulations
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex terrains with intersecting faults are modeled using conventional algorithms, then the geological structures can be represented, but computational complexity increases and numerical stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex geological domain into simpler hexahedral cells by using dual fibers that systematically divide the space. This segmentation approach handles intersecting faults by creating a structured grid where each cell maintains orthogonal geometry, reducing computational complexity while preserving the ability to model complex geological structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dual fibers as an intermediary construct between the primal geological structures and the final cell partitioning. These dual fibers serve as mediators that systematically organize the space around faults and horizons, enabling accurate representation of complex geometries without increasing computational complexity
3Area of stationary object
If polyhedral cells with non-orthogonal connections are generated, then the partitioning covers the domain, but the cells are distorted and computational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting to a dual-based algorithm, the patent achieves both complete domain coverage and computational efficiency. The dual fiber construction ensures that all space is properly partitioned into hexahedral cells while maintaining orthogonal geometry, eliminating the distortion problems that reduce computational efficiency in flow simulations
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for partitioning data for modelling a geological structure including laterally partitioning the data into multiple columns, where each column may be substantially laterally centered about a dual fiber and vertically partitioning each column at each of multiple intersection points of multiple surfaces and the dual fiber about which the column may be substantially laterally centered.