Subsurface Formation Modeling via Stratigraphic Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for modeling subsurface formations in hydrocarbon exploration are limited by their inability to accurately represent heterogeneities and fluid flow characteristics, often requiring excessive computing power and time, and may not adequately consider the physical properties of individual strata at various scales.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid approach combining analog-based stratigraphic concepts with physics-based analytical and numerical modeling, which analyzes formative hydraulic and sediment transport parameters to create a three-dimensional model of stratigraphic structures, allowing for reduced computing resources while improving accuracy by considering physical properties at multiple scales.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional subsurface modeling methods are used, then computational accuracy may be maintained, but computing power and time requirements become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The subsurface formation is divided into multiple strata layers, each analyzed separately to determine physical properties. This segmentation allows the complex modeling problem to be broken down into manageable parts, reducing overall computational requirements while maintaining accuracy through hierarchical processing
Solution Approach 2:
The method applies different modeling approaches and levels of detail to different strata based on their specific characteristics. By tailoring the modeling complexity to local geological conditions rather than uniformly across the entire formation, computational resources are optimized without sacrificing critical accuracy
2Reliability
If traditional subsurface modeling methods are used, then general models can be created, but heterogeneities and fluid flow characteristics are not accurately represented
Solution Approach 1:
The method transforms geological data into multiple domains (spatial, frequency, wavelet) and applies different parameter analyses at each scale. By changing the analytical parameters according to the scale being examined, the method accurately captures heterogeneities and fluid flow characteristics without requiring excessively complex models
3Measurement precision
If detailed analysis of individual strata is performed, then modeling accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational demand increase
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary analysis of strata physical properties before the main modeling process. By pre-processing and characterizing each stratum's properties in advance, the subsequent modeling steps can proceed more efficiently without sacrificing the detailed accuracy that comes from thorough strata analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for modeling subsurface formations 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; modeling deposition of particulate matter during formation of the stratigraphic structure using a model constrained by the one or more formative hydraulic and sediment transport parameters to yield a three-dimensional model of the stratigraphic structure of the formation; and conditioning the three-dimensional model using the one or more physical properties for the at least one strata.