Subterranean Fluid Migration Pathway Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining subterranean fluid migration pathways in geological volumes are limited in accuracy and efficiency, particularly in identifying potential leakage risks and optimizing reservoir management, as they fail to effectively combine and analyze various seismic and geometric attributes to predict fluid flow paths.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method that uses seismic and geometric attributes to define an expression for evolving the fluid boundary over iterations, applying forces derived from these attributes to determine the migration pathway of subterranean fluids through a geological volume, employing the level set approach to model the fluid boundary evolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional seismic surveying methods are used to determine subsurface strata, then depth and orientation information can be obtained, but the accuracy and efficiency in identifying fluid migration pathways is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The method segments the geological volume into discrete cells with specific attributes (permeability, porosity, saturation, etc.), allowing independent analysis of each cell's contribution to fluid migration. This segmentation enables parallel processing and improves computational efficiency while maintaining high precision in pathway identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms seismic data into multiple derived parameters including permeability, porosity, saturation, and capillary pressure fields. By changing the parameter representation from raw seismic signals to physically meaningful geological properties, the method achieves both higher accuracy in migration pathway prediction and improved processing efficiency through standardized parameter calculations.
2Measurement precision
If multiple seismic attributes are analyzed to improve migration pathway prediction, then accuracy increases, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method merges multiple seismic attributes (amplitude, phase, impedance, etc.) into unified geological parameter fields (permeability, porosity, saturation). This consolidation reduces computational complexity by integrating multiple analysis streams into coherent physical models while maintaining high prediction accuracy through the synergistic use of combined attribute information.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate geological parameters (capillary pressure, relative permeability, saturation fields) that mediate between raw seismic attributes and final migration pathway predictions. These intermediary fields simplify the computational relationship between complex seismic data and fluid flow outcomes, reducing overall system complexity while preserving predictive accuracy.
3Reliability
If detailed geological attribute analysis is performed to identify leakage risks, then risk assessment accuracy improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary calculation of all geological attributes (permeability, porosity, saturation, capillary pressure) before conducting migration pathway analysis. This preliminary action prepares the data structure in advance, allowing rapid risk assessment and multiple scenario evaluations without repeated heavy computations, thereby improving both reliability and reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic saturation fields that update based on fluid migration progress through the reservoir. This dynamic approach allows the system to efficiently track changing conditions over time without reprocessing entire datasets, maintaining high risk assessment accuracy while significantly reducing processing time for time-lapse analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of determining a migration pathway of a subterranean fluid through a geological volume is provided. The starting object is located within the geological volume. The starting object defines an initial fluid boundary. Data points are distributed through the geological volume. The data points are associated with values of one or more geological attributes. The method includes the steps of: defining an expression which determines a change in position of the fluid boundary at the data points over an iteration based on the values of the one or more attributes; and applying the expression at the data points for successive iterations to evolve the fluid boundary over the successive iterations. The migration pathway of the subterranean fluid through the geological volume can then be determined from the evolution of the fluid boundary.