Kerogen Maturity Evaluation Using Hydrogen Index Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evaluating hydrocarbon-bearing shale formations is challenging due to their low permeability and the need for advanced technologies to determine kerogen type and maturity, which is crucial for hydrocarbon generation potential.
Innovation Solution
A data processing system that uses measured petrophysical properties to define response models and mathematical models to calculate volume fractions of kerogen components, employing ratios indicative of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen content to ascertain kerogen type and maturity, and the potential for generating gas or liquid hydrocarbons, in conjunction with Van-Krevelen diagrams and polynomial expressions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional evaluation methods are used for shale formations, then the evaluation process is simple, but the measurement precision of kerogen characteristics is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex kerogen evaluation into distinct components: immature kerogen volume fraction and mature kerogen volume fraction. By solving for these separate components independently through the response model and mathematical model, the system achieves precise kerogen type and maturity determination while managing complexity through structured decomposition of the evaluation task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydrogen index as an intermediary parameter that bridges the gap between simple conventional measurements and complex kerogen characteristics. The hydrogen index serves as a mediator that, when combined with the response model and mathematical models, enables precise determination of kerogen type and maturity without requiring direct complex measurements of kerogen properties.
2Measurement precision
If advanced technologies are employed to determine kerogen characteristics, then the evaluation accuracy improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically solving for immature and mature kerogen volume fractions through integrated mathematical models and response models. The computation solver autonomously processes the complex calculations and derives kerogen characteristics without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining high evaluation accuracy while improving ease of operation through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the evaluation approach by changing from direct measurement of complex kerogen properties to measurement of accessible parameters (hydrogen index, petrophysical properties) that are then transformed through mathematical models. This parameter transformation enables accurate hydrocarbon generation potential assessment while simplifying the operational process, as the system only requires standard well log measurements rather than complex direct kerogen analysis.
3Loss of information
If detailed kerogen analysis is performed, then the information completeness increases, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the response model that relates hydrogen index to kerogen characteristics before actual evaluation. This pre-established mathematical framework allows the system to quickly derive complete kerogen information (type, maturity, generation potential) from standard well log data without requiring time-consuming laboratory analysis, thereby reducing evaluation time while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/laboratory-based kerogen analysis systems with a computational system that uses mathematical models and response models. This substitution eliminates the need for physical sample analysis, thereby reducing evaluation time significantly while providing comprehensive kerogen characteristics information through automated computation of immature and mature kerogen volume fractions and their relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for evaluation of a hydrocarbon-bearing shale formation employs a data processing system that defines a response model that relates first data representing measured petrophysical properties of the shale formation at a given location to second data representing volume fractions for a particular set of formation components at the given location. The first data includes hydrogen index at the given location, and the particular set of formation components of the second data include a number of mineral components and a number of hydrocarbon-bearing components. The hydrocarbon-bearing components include at least one kerogen component. A computation solver processes the response model along with the first data to solve for the second data. The solved second data representing the volume fraction of the at least one kerogen component is processed to derive at least one ratio that is indicative of kerogen maturity at the given location.