Well Drain Configuration Optimization Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining well drain configurations in hydrocarbon reservoirs are time-consuming, require significant human effort, and lack guarantee of optimality, with existing software not fully optimizing well locations and designs, especially at the drain design level.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method that receives geological gridded models, determines possible configurations for well cells using a non-dominated sorting algorithm to optimize criteria, and estimates weights for automatic determination of optimal blanking or splitting configurations, reducing human and computational resources while considering model uncertainties and inter-relations between design aspects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used to determine well drain configurations, then expertise and experience can be applied, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant human effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic determination of drain configurations by processing geological models and optimization criteria without requiring manual intervention. The computer automatically evaluates multiple configurations, applies optimization algorithms, and generates recommended drain designs, making the system self-sufficient for the determination task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis and expert judgment with computer-based automated processing. The system uses computational algorithms to evaluate geological models, assess multiple drain configurations, and determine optimal designs, substituting human mechanical work with automated computational systems.
2Extent of automation
If existing software is used to optimize well configurations, then some automation is achieved, but full optimization of well locations and drain designs is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides comprehensive multi-functional optimization capabilities that handle both well location determination and drain configuration design within a unified framework. It processes geological models, evaluates multiple criteria, optimizes well positions, and designs drain configurations automatically, offering universal functionality that existing specialized software cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts multiple parameters including well locations, drain configurations, and operational criteria to achieve optimal results. It modifies these parameters based on geological model analysis and optimization objectives, enabling full automation of the configuration determination process without manual intervention.
3Productivity
If comprehensive optimization is performed considering all criteria, then optimal configurations are achieved, but computational resources and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex optimization problem into distinct processing stages: geological model input, criterion evaluation, configuration generation, optimization analysis, and result output. This segmentation allows the computer to handle comprehensive optimization systematically by breaking down complex computations into manageable steps, reducing overall computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of geological models and pre-evaluation of optimization criteria before conducting the full optimization analysis. By preparing and organizing input data in advance, the system reduces the computational burden during the main optimization phase, enabling comprehensive analysis with reduced real-time computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for determining drain configurations of wells in a field containing a hydrocarbon reservoir, said method comprising: receiving a first set of geological gridded models; receiving a set of criteria; estimating a plurality of weights, each weight being associated to a respective criterion among the plurality of criteria, based on a reference drain configuration comprised in the first received set of geological gridded models and the received set of criteria; receiving a second geological gridded model of the field; determining a drain configuration based on the received set of criteria and the plurality of estimated weights.