Stairstepped Grid Mapping for Geological Fault Flow Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current numerical techniques for modeling sedimentary basins face challenges in accurately representing geological discontinuities, such as faults, due to the use of stairstepped grids, which can lead to spatial discrepancies and inaccuracies in simulating fluid flow and other physical processes.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to map a stairstepped grid to a surface representing a discontinuity in a geologic environment, adjust properties associated with the grid to compensate for these discrepancies, and simulate flow using the adjusted properties, thereby enhancing the accuracy of geological modeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a stairstepped grid is used to represent geological discontinuities, then the grid can be easily generated and maintained, but spatial discrepancies and inaccuracies occur in representing the actual discontinuity surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary transformation process that maps properties between the stairstepped grid and the actual discontinuity surface. This intermediary mapping allows the simple stairstepped grid to represent complex geological surfaces accurately by transferring properties through a mathematical transformation, resolving the contradiction between grid simplicity and representation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the representation parameters by introducing a mapping function that converts grid cell properties to discontinuity surface properties. This parameter transformation allows the stairstepped grid to maintain its computational simplicity while achieving accurate spatial representation through modified property calculations.
2Device complexity
If a stairstepped grid is used for flow simulation, then computational simplicity is maintained, but accuracy of fluid flow simulation across discontinuities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary property transformation that acts as a bridge between the simple stairstepped grid structure and the accurate flow simulation requirements. This intermediary mapping transforms grid properties to surface properties, enabling accurate flow calculations without increasing grid complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the discontinuity surface properties through the mapping function, allowing flow simulations to be performed on this copied representation rather than directly on the complex geometric surface. This copying approach maintains computational simplicity while improving simulation accuracy.
3Device complexity
If the stairstepped grid directly represents the discontinuity surface, then the modeling process is simplified, but spatial discrepancies between the grid and actual surface increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a property mapping intermediary that decouples the simple stairstepped grid structure from the accurate discontinuity surface representation. This intermediary transformation allows the grid to remain computationally simple while the mapped properties accurately represent the complex geological surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include mapping a stairstepped grid to a surface where the stairstepped grid and the surface represent a discontinuity in a geologic environment; based at least in part on the mapping, adjusting properties associated with the stairstepped grid to compensate for spatial discrepancies between the stairstepped grid and the surface; and simulating flow in the geologic environment using the stairstepped grid and the adjusted properties.