Dynamic Domain Decomposition for Hydrocarbon Reservoir Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrocarbon reservoir simulation methods are inefficient due to high computational costs and communication overhead, leading to prolonged simulation times and suboptimal use of computing resources, even with increased processing cores and subdomains, which can degrade performance beyond a certain scalability limit.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining initial domain decomposition characteristics, comparing them to target parameters, and iteratively repartitioning the domain across a decreasing number of processors to achieve optimal domain decomposition, reshuffling the weight array, and adjusting the number of processing cores to satisfy target domain decomposition parameters, thereby optimizing resource usage and reducing communication overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the number of processing cores and subdomains is increased to improve simulation performance, then processing power increases, but communication overhead increases and performance degrades beyond scalability limit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing powerVSAvoidcommunication overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of processing cores and subdomains based on simulation progress and resource availability. The domain decomposition is not fixed but adapts during execution, allowing the system to optimize the balance between processing power and communication overhead at different stages of the simulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key parameters including the number of processing cores, number of subdomains, and domain decomposition characteristics during simulation execution. By monitoring performance metrics and communication overhead, the system adjusts these parameters to maintain optimal efficiency and avoid the scalability limit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If domain decomposition is performed with fixed initial parameters, then simulation can proceed, but resource efficiency is suboptimal and simulation time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimulation throughputVSAvoidsimulation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary domain decomposition and identifies initial subdomains before the main simulation begins. This preliminary action allows for optimization of the decomposition strategy based on initial resource assessment, setting up an efficient foundation that reduces communication overhead and improves overall simulation throughput from the start.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors simulation progress, resource utilization, and communication overhead, using this feedback to dynamically adjust domain decomposition and processing core allocation. This feedback mechanism ensures that the simulation adapts to changing conditions, maintaining optimal resource efficiency and reducing total simulation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If computing resources are limited and multiple operators compete for them, then resource sharing is necessary, but simulation accuracy and timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource sharing capabilityVSAvoidsimulation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the simulation domain into multiple independent subdomains that can be processed in parallel by different computing resources. This segmentation allows multiple operators to simultaneously utilize limited computing resources without interfering with each other, while maintaining simulation accuracy through proper boundary condition handling and synchronized data exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11112514B2Systems and methods for computed resource hydrocarbon reservoir simulation and development

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Provided are systems and method for computed resource hydrocarbon reservoir simulation that include, after processing the domain of a model to a point sufficient to determine an initial set of domain decomposition (DD) characteristics (for example, after preliminary grid calculations and initial DD operations), determining the DD characteristics of the initial DD, comparing the DD characteristics to a domain target defined by target DD parameters, and if needed, iteratively repartitioning the domain across a decreasing number of processors and reshuffling the associated weight array to achieve the domain target defined by the target DD parameters.