Shale Play Evaluation via Integrated Multi-Domain Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In unconventional hydrocarbon systems, particularly in shale reservoirs, existing multi-domain technology lacks integration, leading to wells that produce little or no hydrocarbons or experience rapidly declining production rates due to inadequate identification of drilling locations and hydraulic fracture design.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining seismic data, inverting it to determine total organic content, creating a three-dimensional geological model, simulating a petroleum systems model, and constructing a dynamic reservoir model to identify sweet spots, and designing hydraulic fracture operations using a discrete fracture network model to optimize drilling locations and fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing multi-domain technology techniques are employed separately, then individual domain analysis can be performed, but integrated evaluation of drilling locations is insufficient leading to poor production results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple domain technologies (seismic inversion, petroleum systems modeling, reservoir simulation, fracture geomechanics) into an integrated workflow that evaluates drilling locations comprehensively. Each domain contributes specific parameters that are synthesized to identify optimal sweet spots, resolving the contradiction between individual analysis capability and integrated evaluation need.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions simultaneously: seismic data inversion for geological structure, petroleum systems modeling for hydrocarbon generation, reservoir simulation for fluid flow, and fracture mechanics for stimulation prediction. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive drilling location evaluation without requiring separate independent systems.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive multi-domain analysis is performed, then drilling location accuracy improves, but computational time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The workflow performs preliminary seismic inversion and petroleum systems modeling before reservoir simulation and fracture analysis. By establishing geological and petrophysical frameworks in advance, the system reduces computational complexity in subsequent steps while maintaining high precision in sweet spot identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The comprehensive evaluation is divided into sequential modules: seismic inversion module, petroleum systems modeling module, reservoir simulation module, and fracture geomechanics module. Each module processes specific parameters independently before integration, reducing overall processing time while maintaining comprehensive analysis precision.
3Productivity
If traditional well placement methods are used, then drilling operations are simpler, but hydrocarbon production is insufficient or rapidly declining
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses reservoir simulation and fracture geomechanics modeling to predict production performance for different well locations and fracture designs. This feedback loop allows optimization of hydraulic fracture operations based on predicted outcomes, ensuring maximum hydrocarbon recovery while managing operational complexity through iterative refinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated evaluation identifies optimal parameters for hydraulic fracture operations including fracture geometry, proppant placement, and injection pressure based on site-specific geological and reservoir conditions. By tailoring these parameters to each sweet spot, the system maximizes production while adapting fracture design complexity to local requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system, computer-readable medium, and method for determining a potential drilling location, of which the method includes obtaining data representing a subterranean domain. The data includes at least seismic data. The method also includes inverting the seismic data, creating a petroleum systems model of the subterranean domain based at least in part on a result of inverting the seismic data, simulating a dynamic reservoir model of the subterranean domain based at least in part on the petroleum systems model, and identifying the potential drilling location based on a combination of the inverting of the seismic data, creating the petroleum systems model, and simulating the dynamic reservoir model.