Geological Model Mesh Grouping for Simulation Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in effectively simplifying large-scale numerical geological models used for hydrocarbon recovery simulations, as simplifications often compromise between geologists' and reservoir engineers' requirements, leading to inefficient model reduction and simulation accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method for grouping mesh cells in geological models by determining decompositions into subsets with associated numerical parameters and dispersion values, allowing for optimized mesh reduction while preserving geological accuracy, involving the steps of decomposition, dispersion value calculation, and ordering of decompositions based on these values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of mesh cells is reduced to enable dynamic simulations, then simulation capability is improved, but model accuracy and geological detail are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the model simplification process into distinct stages: generating multiple candidate decompositions with different levels of mesh cell grouping, calculating dispersion values for each decomposition, and selecting optimal decompositions that balance reduction ratio and accuracy. This staged approach allows systematic exploration of the trade-off between simulation capability and model accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of mesh cell grouping granularity by generating decompositions with varying numbers of subsets (m ≤ n), where each decomposition represents a different level of simplification. The dispersion value serves as a quantitative parameter to evaluate and compare different decomposition levels, enabling objective selection of the optimal simplification degree.
2Manufacturing precision
If mesh cells are grouped according to geologists' judgment, then geological accuracy is improved, but reservoir engineering requirements may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal decomposition framework that simultaneously serves both geologists' and reservoir engineers' requirements. By generating multiple candidate decompositions and evaluating them with dispersion values, the system produces solutions that can satisfy both geological accuracy and reservoir engineering simulation needs, making the simplification process adaptable to different user requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing flexible selection among multiple candidate decompositions based on specific project requirements. The dispersion value calculation provides a dynamic evaluation metric that can be adjusted according to whether geological accuracy or simulation efficiency is prioritized, enabling the system to adapt to different stakeholder needs.
3Manufacturing precision
If detailed simplification is performed manually with many exchanges between geologists and reservoir engineers, then model quality is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by automatically generating multiple candidate decompositions and calculating their dispersion values before final model selection. This pre-computation of various simplification options with quantitative evaluations eliminates the need for iterative manual exchanges between geologists and reservoir engineers, significantly reducing time consumption while maintaining model quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the dispersion value calculation, which provides quantitative information about the quality of each decomposition. This feedback mechanism allows automatic evaluation and comparison of different simplification approaches, replacing manual quality assessment and reducing the need for repeated exchanges between stakeholders.
4Manufacturing precision
If the number of mesh cells exceeds 500,000, then model detail is improved, but flow simulators cannot handle the complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large mesh cell set into multiple subsets through systematic decomposition, where each decomposition divides the original mesh into m subsets (m ≤ n). This segmentation reduces the effective complexity handled by simulators while preserving geological detail through careful subset formation based on dispersion value optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of mesh cell count by applying decompositions that reduce the number of active mesh cells from potentially millions to manageable levels below 500,000. The dispersion value guides this parameter change to ensure that reduction is achieved while maintaining sufficient model detail for accurate simulations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of assistance in geological modeling by grouping meshes together in a geological model comprising a plurality of meshes, each mesh of said model being associated with at least one digital parameter representing a geological property. For at least one column of at least n meshes of the model, a plurality of decompositions of said column into m subsets of adjacent meshes can be determined. Then, for each composition determined, one determines, for each one of the m subsets, a new digital parameter associated with said subset depending on the digital parameters associated with the meshes of said subset. Finally, one can determine a dispersion value of said decomposition depending, at least, on the new digital parameters associated with said subsets.