Hydrocarbon Trap Saddle Point Identification via Geological Mesh Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing hydrocarbon traps are inadequate in handling traps with multiple principal culminations, particularly in accurately identifying saddle points which are crucial for understanding oil and gas leakage and reservoir volume estimation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that determines saddle points on geological meshes representing the top surface of hydrocarbon traps, allowing for segmentation and fluid contact simulation, and accounting for uncertainties in seismic measurements to improve accuracy and robustness in trap analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to analyze hydrocarbon traps, then the analysis can be performed with simple tools, but the methods cannot accurately handle traps with multiple principal culminations and cannot identify saddle points
Solution Approach 1:
The method segments the trap analysis by identifying multiple principal culminations and the saddle points between them as distinct characteristic points. This segmentation allows the complex multi-culmination trap to be analyzed as separate manageable units, enabling accurate saddle point identification without requiring overly complex analytical tools.
2Productivity
If existing methods are used, then the analysis process is simple, but the reservoir volume estimation and well implantation strategy cannot be optimized for multi-culmination traps
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary identification of all characteristic points (multiple culminations and saddle points) before conducting reservoir volume estimation or well implantation planning. This preliminary action ensures that complete trap characteristic information is captured upfront, enabling optimized production strategies without information loss.
3Reliability
If existing methods are used, then the analysis can be completed quickly, but the spill point detection and leakage understanding are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The method uses saddle points as intermediary characteristic points that connect multiple culminations and facilitate spill point detection. By identifying these intermediary saddle points first, the method enables more reliable spill point detection and leakage understanding while maintaining reasonable analysis time through a systematic approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention notably relates to a computer-implemented method for analyzing a hydrocarbon trap, for hydrocarbon production. The hydrocarbon trap has a top surface. The method comprises providing one or more geological meshes each representing the top surface. Each geological mesh has cells each representing a location on the top surface. The method further comprises for each geological mesh, determining one or more cells on the geological mesh. Each determined cell corresponds to a respective saddle of the trap.