Petroleum System Model Calibration via Downhole Fluid Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydrocarbon exploration and production methods face challenges in accurately modeling fluid properties and distributions within geologic basins, leading to uncertainties in reservoir appraisal and production planning.

Innovation Solution

A method involving petroleum system modeling (PSM) that generates an estimate of fluid property distribution within a geologic basin, compares it with detected gradients from fluid samples, and iteratively adjusts the model to improve accuracy, enabling informed field operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If petroleum system modeling is used to generate fluid property distribution estimates, then reservoir appraisal capability is improved, but model accuracy deteriorates due to uncertainties in fluid property predictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuncertainty in reservoir appraisalVSAvoidfluid property distribution accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by comparing PSM-generated fluid property distribution estimates with actual downhole fluid analysis measurements. The PSM is iteratively adjusted based on this comparison to improve prediction accuracy. This closed-loop feedback mechanism reduces uncertainty in reservoir appraisal by continuously refining the model against real-world data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary forward modeling using PSM to generate initial fluid property distribution estimates before conducting downhole fluid analysis. This preliminary action allows the model to be calibrated and validated against actual measurements, improving subsequent reservoir appraisal accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If downhole fluid analysis is performed to detect fluid property gradients, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid property gradient detectionVSAvoiddownhole analysis equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges petroleum system modeling with downhole fluid analysis by integrating PSM predictions with actual downhole measurements. This combination allows the use of sophisticated modeling capabilities while leveraging targeted downhole analysis to validate and calibrate the model, effectively managing the complexity of both approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the petroleum system model as an intermediary that connects theoretical fluid property predictions with actual downhole measurements. The PSM serves as a bridge that translates complex geological and fluid dynamics into comparable fluid property estimates, facilitating the integration of modeling and measurement approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If iterative PSM adjustment is performed to improve model accuracy, then reservoir characterization reliability is improved, but loss of time in field operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir characterization reliabilityVSAvoidmodel calibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary forward modeling using PSM to generate initial fluid property distribution estimates before conducting downhole fluid analysis. This preliminary action allows the model to be calibrated and validated against actual measurements, improving subsequent reservoir appraisal accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by comparing PSM-generated fluid property distribution estimates with actual downhole fluid analysis measurements. The PSM is iteratively adjusted based on this comparison to improve prediction accuracy. This closed-loop feedback mechanism reduces uncertainty in reservoir appraisal by continuously refining the model against real-world data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10083258B2Combining downhole fluid analysis and petroleum systems modeling

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method for performing a field operation within a geologic basin having rock formations and a reservoir that includes fluids includes generating, by forward modeling using a petroleum system model (PSM), an estimate of a fluid property distribution of a fluid within the reservoir of the geologic basin. The method further includes detecting, from fluid samples, a fluid property gradient within the geologic basin. The fluid samples are extracted from within at least one wellbore drilled through the rock formations. The method further includes, comparing the estimate of the fluid property distribution with the detected fluid property gradient to generate a comparison result, iteratively adjusting, based on the comparison result, the PSM to generate an adjusted PSM, and performing, based on the adjusted PSM, the field operation within the geologic basin.