Parametric Surface Interconnection for Geological Reservoir Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The accurate modeling of geological reservoirs, such as aquifers or hydrocarbon reservoirs, is hindered by the complexity of interconnecting geological bodies in a pre-meshed space, which introduces bias and difficulties in satisfying well constraints, leading to inaccurate simulation results.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the modification and matching of low control points and knot vectors of parametric surfaces between geological bodies to ensure seamless interconnection while preserving the global shape and geological properties, using NURBS surfaces and gradient descent methods to minimize deformation and maintain continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If geological bodies are assembled in a pre-meshed space, then continuous sedimentary systems can be created, but mesh size and orientation induce bias in modeling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuity of sedimentary systemsVSAvoidmodeling accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of assembling pre-meshed geological bodies, the patent inverts the approach by defining geological bodies through parametric surfaces first, then generating the mesh after assembly. This eliminates the bias introduced by pre-meshing while maintaining continuity, as the mesh is adapted to the assembled geometry rather than constraining it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parametric surfaces with control points and knot vectors to define geological bodies, allowing continuous modification of geometry through parameter adjustment. This enables precise control over body shapes and seamless interconnection without being constrained by fixed mesh structures, thereby improving both continuity and modeling accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If geological bodies are interconnected in pre-meshed space, then sedimentary models can be built, but connection of meshes between individual bodies becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assembling geological bodiesVSAvoidcomplexity of mesh connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reverses the traditional workflow by assembling geological bodies defined by parametric surfaces first, and only generating meshes after successful assembly. This eliminates the complex task of matching and connecting meshes between bodies, as mesh generation occurs uniformly after the geometric assembly is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the mesh generation step from the body assembly process, separating geometric modeling from discretization. This allows geological bodies to be interconnected using simple parametric surface operations without the burden of mesh compatibility, and the mesh is generated as a separate final step for the entire assembled model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If geological bodies are assembled to reproduce principal directions, then sedimentary systems can be modeled, but satisfying well constraints becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprincipal directions of sedimentary systemsVSAvoidaccuracy of well constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parametric surfaces with adjustable control points and knot vectors that allow precise modification of geological body geometries. This enables accurate positioning and orientation of bodies to satisfy well constraints while maintaining the principal directions of sedimentary systems, as parameters can be tuned to meet both geometric and constraint requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The parametric representation allows dynamic adjustment of geological body shapes and positions during modeling. Control points can be moved and parameters modified to simultaneously achieve the desired principal directions and satisfy well constraints, providing flexibility that rigid pre-meshed approaches cannot offer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4386454A1Method for interconnecting geological bodies in a parametric space for simulation of geological reservoirs
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH
  • EP4386454A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4386454A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4386454A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for interconnecting geological bodies in a subsoil, comprising: /a/ receiving (101) a first geological body and a second geological body each comprising a first parametric surface comprising control points and knot vectors; /b/ determining (102) a low control point (301) among the control points of the first parametric surface of each of the first geological body and the second geological body at a low vertical position in the subsoil; /c/ modifying (103) the low control point (301) of the first parametric surface of the first geological body in such a way that said low control point (301) corresponds to the low control point (305) of the first parametric surface of the second geological body; /d/ interconnecting (104) the first parametric surfaces of the first and second geological bodies by matching the low control points (301, 305) and the knot vectors.