Multi-Scale Meshing for Geological Time Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional models face challenges in accurately representing subsurface geological structures at different scales due to limitations in mesh resolution and computational resources, particularly in capturing precise geological structures at the reservoir scale while efficiently storing and modeling structures across various scales.
Innovation Solution
The approach involves computing U, V, and T functions on a regular cubic grid with anisotropic mesh refinement, iteratively increasing resolution to align iso-surfaces with geological markers, and using a multi-scale, multi-resolution mesh to represent geological structures at varying scales, allowing for more accurate modeling and storage of geological data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fine mesh resolution is used to accurately capture geological structures at reservoir scale, then measurement precision improves, but computational resources and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The computational domain is divided into multiple scales: a coarse global mesh for overall geological structures and fine local meshes for reservoir-scale details. This segmentation allows accurate representation of geological structures where needed while using coarser resolution elsewhere, reducing overall computational resources and storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mesh resolutions are applied to different regions of the geological model. Fine mesh resolution is used locally in reservoir-scale areas requiring high accuracy, while coarser resolution is used in broader regional contexts. This local quality approach optimizes the balance between measurement precision and computational efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a single uniform mesh resolution is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to accurately represent geological structures at multiple scales deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple mesh resolutions are nested within each other, with fine local meshes embedded within the broader coarse global mesh framework. This nested structure allows the model to represent geological structures at multiple scales simultaneously, maintaining both simplicity in the overall structure and adaptability to multi-scale features.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a scale dimension to the mesh structure, organizing meshes hierarchically from global to local scales. This dimensional organization allows uniform management of complexity while capturing multi-scale geological variability, effectively resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If iterative mesh refinement is performed to align iso-surfaces with geological markers, then manufacturing precision improves, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coarse global mesh is constructed first to establish the overall geological framework and identify regions requiring detailed analysis. This preliminary action allows subsequent fine local meshes to be targeted specifically at areas needing high precision, reducing the total number of iterations required and decreasing computational time while maintaining alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly refining the entire mesh to high resolution, the method applies fine mesh refinement only partially to specific local regions where geological markers indicate the need for high precision. This partial action achieves the required manufacturing precision for critical areas while avoiding the excessive computational time that would result from global refinement.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for modeling a geological structure may include, in an initial model, computing a first function for a geological structure including a first set of iso-surfaces. A processor may detect if the first set of iso-surfaces intersect a set of geological markers within a threshold proximity. If not, the initial model may be corrected using an induced mesh having an increased cell resolution compare to the initial model for computing a second function for the geological structure including a second set of iso-surfaces that intersect the geological markers within the threshold proximity. A processor may insert the second set of iso-surfaces into a second model to locally increase its resolution relative to the initial model by dividing cells in the second model along the second set of iso-surfaces. For each new geological structure, the above steps may be repeated using the second model as the initial model.