Genetic Algorithm Optimization for Oil and Gas Drainage Mesh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for optimizing drainage mesh in oil and gas producing fields are inefficient due to reliance on manual trial and error, requiring extensive expertise and time, and lack robust tools to handle complex constraints and nonlinear decision variables, limiting the ability to maximize net present value and adapt to changing conditions.

Innovation Solution

A Genetic Algorithm-based optimization tool that simultaneously optimizes the quantity, location, and length of producing and injecting wells, using a commercial reservoir simulator as an evaluation function without proxies, allowing for realistic well positioning with arbitrary trajectories and complex constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual trial and error procedures are used for drainage mesh optimization, then expert knowledge and experience can be applied, but the process requires a lot of time and limits the number of scenarios that can be evaluated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimization reliabilityVSAvoidtime for drainage mesh development

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical trial-and-error procedures with an automated computer-based optimization system. The system uses algorithms to automatically adjust well positions, numbers, and configurations, eliminating the need for manual iteration while maintaining optimization reliability through systematic evaluation of multiple scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optimization system performs self-service by automatically evaluating different drainage mesh configurations without requiring continuous human intervention. The computer system independently runs simulations, analyzes results, and iterates through scenarios to find optimal solutions, significantly reducing the time investment required from expert teams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the number of decision variables and constraints is increased to handle complex well positioning problems, then more realistic scenarios can be modeled, but the problem complexity grows exponentially making manual solution search impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodel complexity handlingVSAvoidoptimization problem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes manual problem-solving approaches with automated computational algorithms that can handle complex optimization problems. The system uses computer-based simulation and optimization techniques to manage the exponential growth of decision variables and constraints, enabling realistic well positioning scenarios that would be impossible to solve manually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optimization problem is segmented into manageable components through systematic parameterization. The system divides the complex well positioning problem into discrete decision variables (well locations, numbers, types) and constraints, allowing the computer algorithm to process and optimize each element systematically despite the overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If detailed simulation models are used to evaluate drainage mesh options, then accurate production predictions can be obtained, but the computational cost and time required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction prediction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the simulation model and optimization parameters before running the optimization process. The computer system prepares the reservoir model, defines objective functions and constraints, and sets up evaluation criteria in advance, allowing efficient automated optimization that maintains prediction accuracy while reducing computational resource consumption through structured approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240037413A1Computer-implemented method and computer-readable medium for drainage mesh optimization in oil and/or gas producing fields

Publication Date: 2024.02.01 PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA PETROBRAS

AI summary

The present invention proposes the use of an optimization tool based on Genetic Algorithm for the optimization of the drainage mesh, that is, the simultaneous optimization of the quantity, location and length of producing and injecting wells. Said optimization tool provides a robust implementation of a computational method to deal with realistic well positioning problems with arbitrary trajectories, complex models and linear and nonlinear constraints. Said optimization tool uses a commercial reservoir simulator as an evaluation function without using proxies to replace the complete numerical model. A net present value (NPV) calculation is also provided as a criterion for obtaining the optimized drainage mesh.