Sedimentary Model Assembly via Boolean Operations for Reservoir Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for modeling geological reservoirs face challenges in accurately simulating subsoil structures and processes due to meshing biases and difficulties in satisfying well constraints when assembling sedimentary systems, which affects the predictivity and accuracy of industrial forecasts for hydrocarbon extraction and carbon storage projects.

Innovation Solution

A method involving Boolean operations is applied to deform sedimentary systems based on their types and geological times, allowing for the creation of a sedimentary model that accurately represents geological processes such as erosion and draping, ensuring continuous volumes and interfaces without discontinuities, and enabling the determination of optimal drilling locations for hydrocarbon extraction or fluid injection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If sedimentary systems are meshed prior to assembly, then the modeling process can proceed with structured grids, but mesh size and orientation induce bias in the modeling and make it difficult to accurately satisfy well constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assembling sedimentary systemsVSAvoidaccuracy of subsoil structure modeling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of meshing sedimentary systems before assembly (traditional approach), the patent inverts the sequence by assembling the sedimentary systems first in unmeshed form, then meshing the complete assembled model. This reversal eliminates mesh-induced bias during assembly while enabling accurate representation of well constraints and complex geological interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the modeling process into distinct phases: (1) assembly of sedimentary systems using Boolean operations on unmeshed volumetric representations, (2) application of geological processes, and (3) final meshing of the assembled model. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, avoiding the contradiction between ease of assembly and modeling accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple sedimentary systems are assembled from pre-meshed components, then the assembly process becomes more systematic, but connection of meshes between individual systems creates discontinuities and modeling difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of sedimentary system assemblyVSAvoidcontinuity of sedimentary model volumes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional assembly approach by working with unmeshed volumetric representations during assembly. Boolean operations are applied to these continuous volumes, ensuring inherent continuity. Only after successful assembly is the final meshing operation applied to the complete model, guaranteeing mesh continuity across all sedimentary system interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses Boolean operations to create accurate volumetric representations of sedimentary systems and their interactions. These Boolean-based volumetric models serve as precise templates that are then meshed, ensuring that the mesh accurately reflects the complex geometries and continuous interfaces of the assembled sedimentary systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If well constraints are imposed during assembly of pre-meshed systems, then drilling locations can be optimized, but it becomes difficult to accurately satisfy well constraints due to mesh limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of well constraint satisfactionVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent delays the meshing operation until after assembly and application of geological processes. This allows well constraints to be imposed and optimized on the continuous unmeshed volumetric model, where precise geometric control is possible. Only after all constraints are satisfied does the final meshing occur, ensuring well constraints are accurately represented without mesh-related limitations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4386453A1Method for modelling a geological process by deforming sedimentary systems in a parametric space for simulation of geological reservoirs

Publication Date: 2024.06.19 TOTALENERGIES ONETECH

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for modelling a geological process by deforming sedimentary systems in a subsoil, the method comprising the following steps: /a/ receiving (401) a sedimentary model comprising: - a first sedimentary system of a first type and associated with a first geological time, comprising a volume and at least one surface (501) enclosing said volume; and - a second sedimentary system of a second type and associated with a second geological time, comprising a volume and at least one surface (502) enclosing said volume; /b/ applying (402) at least one Boolean operation representing a geological process to the first and second sedimentary systems as a function of the first geological time, the second geological time, the first type and the second type.