Geobody Connectivity Evaluation Using Euler Characteristic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively distinguish between economically viable and non-economically viable reservoir cells in hydrocarbon reservoirs, particularly in unconventional reservoirs with poor porosity and permeability, and struggle to quantify connectivity across a range of petrophysical properties.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a modified Euler Characteristic to evaluate and rank the connectivity of cell volumes within a reservoir model, incorporating filters for porosity, permeability, minimum cell connectivity, and cell connection geometry, and applying a dilation and erosion technique to refine geobody analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional reservoir evaluation methods are used, then economic viability can be assessed for conventional reservoirs, but they fail to distinguish viable from non-viable cells in unconventional reservoirs with poor porosity and permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the reservoir evaluation from using traditional petrophysical parameters (porosity, permeability) to a topological parameter (Euler characteristic). This parameter change enables the system to evaluate unconventional reservoirs where traditional parameters fail, while maintaining the ability to assess economic viability through connectivity-based metrics that work across both conventional and unconventional reservoir types.
Solution Approach 2:
The Euler characteristic-based evaluation method serves multiple functions: it evaluates connectivity in unconventional reservoirs, ranks geobodies by economic potential, and provides a unified framework applicable to both conventional and unconventional reservoir types. This universal approach replaces the need for separate evaluation methodologies for different reservoir types.
2Measurement precision
If user discretion of net reservoir constituents is applied, then viable connected reservoir cells can be identified, but the process requires well log interpretation and rock physics-based property derivation which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential connectivity information from complex well log and rock physics data by computing the Euler characteristic. This extraction process isolates the topological connectivity metric from the detailed petrophysical properties, providing a simplified evaluation that maintains accuracy while reducing the need for complex data interpretation and property derivation.
3Productivity
If filters for porosity and permeability are applied, then geobodies can be generated, but connectivity quantification across a range of petrophysical properties remains difficult in unconventional reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a topological dimension to the traditional petrophysical evaluation by incorporating the Euler characteristic. This dimensional addition allows connectivity to be quantified independently of specific porosity and permeability thresholds, enabling accurate assessment across the full range of petrophysical properties present in unconventional reservoirs while maintaining efficient geobody generation through filter application.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A system and method utilizing a modified Euler Characteristic to numerically quantify and rank connectivity of a geobody within a reservoir model based upon a range of petrophysical properties.