Gridless Fluvio-Deltaic Simulation for Reservoir Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional geological modeling systems require a pre-determined grid to map reservoir properties, which is inefficient and limits the accuracy of reservoir modeling, especially in complex environments like fluvio-deltaic settings.

Innovation Solution

The approach involves propagating rock and fluid properties to sequentially chosen locations without a pre-determined grid, using kriging weights to determine plausible locations for specific values, creating a 'thread' of equal values that snake through the area, and representing simulations with geometric elements like polylines and channel widths, rather than relying on a regular grid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a pre-determined grid is used to map reservoir properties, then the modeling process is structured and systematic, but the computational efficiency decreases and the accuracy of reservoir modeling is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of reservoir modelingVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the pre-determined grid structure from the modeling process. Instead of mapping properties to grid cells, the invention directly simulates geological features (channels, bars, deltas) in continuous space, eliminating the grid as an intermediary that limits both accuracy and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by not determining properties at grid locations, but rather determining locations where specific geological features occur. The simulation identifies channel centerlines and facies boundaries directly in space, then assigns properties to these identified features rather than sampling properties at predetermined grid points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Manufacturing precision

If a pre-determined grid is used to map reservoir properties, then the modeling framework is simple and established, but the representation of complex fluvio-deltaic channel architecture becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepresentation accuracy of channel architectureVSAvoidmodeling framework complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the continuous geological formation into distinct geomorphological units (channels, bars, deltas, overbank deposits) with unique properties. Each segment is simulated independently with appropriate geological rules, allowing accurate representation of complex architectures without requiring a fine grid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different simulation rules and properties to different geological segments. Channels have different properties than bars, which differ from overbank deposits. This local differentiation allows accurate representation of heterogeneous fluvio-deltaic systems without uniform grid-based modeling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2956912B1Gridless simulation of a fluvio-deltaic environment
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORP
  • EP2956912B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2956912B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2956912B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for performing gridless simulation of a fluvio-deltaic environment. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a system that includes at least one processor, and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor performs operations that include generating a set of channel centerlines corresponding to a set of channels that are indicative of flow units in a fluvio-deltaic environment; and generating channel widths for each of the channel centerlines. In one embodiment, the operations for generating the set of channel centerlines of the reservoir include selecting a seed point for each channel, assigning each seed point a direction of propagation, and iteratively generating each channel.