Subsurface Model Accuracy via Hydraulic Parameter Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsurface models in hydrocarbon exploration lack accurate representation of fluid flow characteristics due to insufficient incorporation of formative hydraulic and sediment transport parameters, leading to uncertainty in modeling and decision-making.
Innovation Solution
The method involves analyzing strata within a stratigraphic structure to ascertain physical properties, correlating them with formative hydraulic and sediment transport parameters, and modeling the formation using a subsurface model constrained by these parameters, incorporating data from well logs, core samples, and seismic data to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If subsurface models are created using traditional data (seismic data, well log data), then the modeling process is straightforward, but the accuracy of fluid flow characteristics is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing correlations between physical properties and formative hydraulic parameters before the actual modeling process. These pre-derived correlations serve as ready-to-use constraints that guide the modeling process, improving accuracy without requiring complex real-time calculations during modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces formative hydraulic parameters as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between physical properties and fluid flow characteristics. These parameters act as mediators that translate observable physical properties into meaningful constraints for modeling fluid flow, enabling more accurate representations without directly complexifying the modeling process.
2Reliability
If formative hydraulic and sediment transport parameters are incorporated into subsurface models, then the representation of fluid flow characteristics improves, but the data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the modeling approach from using direct fluid flow parameters to using formative hydraulic parameters as constraints. This parameter transformation allows the model to incorporate reliability-improving information about fluid flow characteristics while maintaining a simpler data processing workflow, as the constraints are derived from physical properties rather than complex flow simulations.
3Measurement precision
If physical properties of strata are correlated to formative hydraulic parameters, then the subsurface model accuracy improves, but the analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-computing and storing the correlations between physical properties and formative hydraulic parameters. This allows the actual modeling process to simply apply these pre-established correlations as constraints, significantly reducing the analysis time required during modeling while maintaining high accuracy through the pre-derived relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
The methods for constraining subsurface models may include: analyzing at least one strata within a stratigraphic structure of a formation to ascertain one or more physical properties for the at least one strata; correlating the one or more physical properties for the at least one strata to one or more formative hydraulic and sediment transport parameters for the at least one strata based on a correlation; and modeling the formation with a subsurface model constrained by the one or more formative hydraulic and sediment transport parameters for the at least one strata.