Interwell Connectivity Model for Enhanced Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques in unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs face challenges due to complex geomechanical processes and pressure-dependent reservoir properties, making it difficult to predict fluid migration and optimize hydrocarbon extraction.
Innovation Solution
An interwell connectivity model is developed to correlate gas injection inputs with hydrocarbon production outputs, allowing for controlled gas injection to enhance oil recovery by determining pressure and optimizing well configurations and operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional reservoir simulation methods are used to predict fluid migration and optimize hydrocarbon extraction, then comprehensive reservoir modeling is achieved, but computational costs are high and prediction efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential interwell connectivity relationships from complex reservoir simulations to create a simplified predictive model. By taking out only the critical connectivity metrics needed for EOR optimization, the system achieves accurate predictions without the computational burden of full reservoir simulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the complex reservoir simulation problem into a parameter-based interwell connectivity model. By changing from simulating full fluid dynamics to using connectivity metrics and pressure-dependent parameters, the system maintains prediction accuracy while dramatically reducing computational requirements.
2Productivity
If gas injection is increased to enhance oil recovery, then hydrocarbon extraction efficiency is improved, but pressure control becomes more difficult and recovery optimization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where interwell connectivity metrics and pressure data from injected wells are continuously monitored. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustment of gas injection rates to maintain optimal pressure control while maximizing hydrocarbon recovery, preventing both under-injection and over-injection scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic pressure-dependent connectivity metrics that adapt as reservoir pressure changes during gas injection. This dynamic approach allows the system to automatically adjust injection strategies based on current pressure conditions, making pressure control more manageable while maintaining high extraction efficiency.
3Productivity
If interwell connectivity metrics are used to control gas injection, then EOR efficiency is improved and computational costs are reduced, but model complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces interwell connectivity metrics as an intermediary between full reservoir simulation and simple production forecasting. These metrics serve as a middle layer that captures essential subsurface relationships without requiring complete simulation complexity, enabling efficient EOR optimization with manageable model complexity.
4Measurement precision
If pressure-dependent connectivity metrics are implemented, then fluid migration prediction accuracy is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of pressure-dependent connectivity metrics before gas injection operations begin. By pre-computing these metrics based on existing pressure data and geological information, the system reduces the need for intensive real-time data processing during actual EOR operations, maintaining high prediction accuracy while managing data processing loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A methodology using an interwell connectivity model for hydrocarbon management is disclosed. The interwell connectivity model may include interwell connectivity metrics indicative of fluid interconnectivity amongst pairs of wells and may be used as predictive or prescriptive for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). As predictive, the interwell connectivity model may be used to determine an effect of gas injection into the reservoir on one or more aspects of EOR, such as reservoir pressure or production rates. As prescriptive, the interwell connectivity model may be used to improve or optimize various stages of EOR, such as during drilling or construction of the extraction site, during primary depletion, or during one or more huff-and-puff cycles.