Combined Physical Numerical Subterranean Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for modeling subterranean reservoirs face challenges such as high costs, limited core samples, and unreliable simulation results due to extreme heterogeneity and low core recovery, especially in high-temperature, high-pressure conditions, making it difficult to accurately simulate and analyze hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that combine physical and numerical simulations by creating artificial fractures in core samples, subjecting them to high pressure and temperature, and performing water invasion experiments to calibrate numerical model parameters, allowing for efficient and reliable modeling of subsurface characteristics using limited core samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical simulation experiments are conducted under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions, then the reliability of reservoir modeling is improved, but the cost increases 10-20 times and the experimental cycle extends 5-10 times compared to conventional core tests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the physical simulation process into multiple stages: initial core testing under conventional conditions, followed by targeted high-temperature high-pressure experiments only for specific parameters that cannot be accurately modeled numerically. This segmentation reduces the overall number of expensive experiments while maintaining modeling reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates numerical copies (digital models) of the physical core samples and reservoir conditions. These numerical models are calibrated using limited physical experiment data, then used to simulate various scenarios without requiring additional physical experiments, thereby reducing cost and complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If orthogonal experimentation method is used with true core samples, then the uniformity and comparability of experiments is improved, but the requirement for large quantity of cores with similar physical characteristics cannot be met due to low core recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the core samples by subjecting them to high-temperature and high-pressure conditions that simulate actual reservoir environments. This allows the use of fewer core samples since each sample can be tested under multiple transformed conditions, generating more data from limited material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the core samples multi-functional by using them for multiple types of experiments: initial characterization, artificial fracturing tests, and calibrated numerical modeling. Each core sample serves multiple purposes in the research workflow, reducing the total quantity needed while maintaining experimental uniformity.
3Productivity
If numerical simulation is used to replace physical simulation, then the cost and time are reduced, but the reliability decreases due to convergence problems and systematic errors under extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where numerical simulation results are continuously compared with physical experiment data. The numerical models are calibrated and adjusted based on discrepancies identified through physical testing, ensuring that the efficient numerical simulations produce reliable results that are grounded in actual physical behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces physical experiment data as an intermediary that bridges the gap between numerical simulation and reality. This intermediary validation layer ensures that numerical models accurately represent physical processes, particularly under extreme conditions where pure numerical methods fail.
4Ease of operation
If artificial cores are used to achieve controllability and uniformity, then the ease of operation is improved, but the representativeness of true reservoir conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by carefully selecting and characterizing real core samples that best represent the reservoir conditions before conducting experiments. This preliminary selection and characterization ensures that the core samples maintain representativeness while allowing for controlled experimental conditions during testing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the workload and cost of physical simulations, enhances analysis efficiency, and provides reliable numerical simulations by mutual verification, improving the accuracy and economic benefits of reservoir modeling.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure can typically exceed 70 MPa, the temperature can exceed 120° C.
Implementation Method 2
the pressure can typically exceed 70 MPa, the temperature can exceed 120° C.
Implementation Method 3
a water invasion experiment is performed on the at least one fractured core sample
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for modeling subterranean characteristics by combining physical and numerical simulations using limited amounts of subsurface full diameter core samples via orthogonal experimentation schemes. Systems and methods applying synchronous fitting and prediction of physical simulation and numerical simulation to obtain the equivalent permeability of fracture cells in numerical simulation, to provide a basis for assigning a value to the equivalent fracture cell permeability during numerical simulation. According to the specific subterranean reservoir characteristics, the water invasion orthogonal experiments are completed by combining physical simulation with numerical simulation to analyze the main factors of water invasion in reservoirs.