Hydraulic Fracture Model Selection for Faster Reservoir Uncertainty Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional probabilistic design of experiment workflows for selecting simulation models in reservoirs are time-consuming and costly, particularly when integrating with flow simulation for hydraulic fracture modeling.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for selecting simulation models by generating hydraulic fracture models based on reservoir characteristics, determining ranges of these characteristics, and using simulated configurations of hydraulic fractures to identify representative models, which can be used for reservoir development, thereby reducing the need for extensive fluid flow simulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional probabilistic design of experiment workflow is used to select simulation models, then representative reservoir models can be identified, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow is segmented into distinct phases: first generating hydraulic fracture models using deterministic geometry models and reservoir characteristics, then selecting representative models based on fracture configuration diversity rather than performing exhaustive flow simulations on all models. This segmentation reduces computation time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic fracture models are generated in advance using deterministic geometry models before flow simulation. The representative models are pre-selected based on fracture configuration characteristics (length, height, volume, surface area, conductivity) and statistical analysis, enabling downstream applications to use these pre-filtered models without requiring extensive preliminary flow simulations.
2Reliability
If conventional probabilistic design of experiment workflow is used to select simulation models, then representative reservoir models can be identified, but the process becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates simplified deterministic geometry models that copy the essential characteristics of complex reservoir systems. These geometry models serve as proxies that capture the dominant fracture configuration behavior without requiring expensive flow simulations, reducing computational cost while maintaining sufficient accuracy for model selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The deterministic geometry models are computationally inexpensive to generate and can be rapidly produced in large numbers. These models serve as disposable intermediaries that enable quick screening and selection of representative models without the high computational cost of traditional flow-based uncertainty quantification methods.
3Measurement precision
If extensive flow simulations are performed for model selection, then accurate representative models are obtained, but computation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The selection criteria are changed from flow simulation results to hydraulic fracture configuration parameters (length, height, volume, surface area, conductivity). By changing the measurement parameters from complex flow outcomes to simpler geometric and physical properties, the system achieves sufficient model discrimination accuracy with dramatically improved selection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic fracture models serve as an intermediary between reservoir characteristics and flow simulation. These intermediate models capture the essential fracture configuration variability and can be analyzed using simpler methods to identify representative models, avoiding the need for extensive direct flow simulations during the selection process.
Data Source
AI summary
Characteristics of a reservoir may be used to generate multiple models of the reservoir with hydraulic fractures. Simulated configurations of the hydraulic fractures in the models may be used to select one or more of the models as representative model(s) for the reservoir. The representative model(s) may be used in development of the reservoir. Hydraulic fracturing may increase productivity at shale and tight rock reservoir by creating more effective flow paths to production.