Hydrocarbon Well Interference Detection Using Surface Pressure Modeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Interwell interference, such as fracturing or fluid intrusion between hydrocarbon wells, poses challenges in managing subsurface reservoir operations, requiring efficient detection and mitigation strategies.
Innovation Solution
A computing system utilizes surface production data to calculate average reservoir pressures, simulate well performance, and detect interwell interference, triggering automated responses like warnings, alarms, or shut-ins to address performance deviations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional well monitoring methods are used, then downhole data can be obtained, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses surface-measured production data as an intermediary to infer downhole reservoir conditions. Instead of directly measuring reservoir pressure downhole, the system uses production data from the surface (flow rates, wellhead pressures) combined with reservoir models to calculate and monitor reservoir pressure changes, thereby avoiding complex downhole measurement equipment while still achieving the measurement objective
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical downhole pressure sensors and measurement equipment with a computational approach. By using machine learning models and reservoir simulation algorithms that process surface production data, the system substitutes mechanical/downhole measurement systems with an information-processing system that achieves the same monitoring goal without the complexity of downhole devices
2Reliability
If manual detection of interwell interference is performed, then interference can be identified, but the response time is delayed and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous feedback loop where production data is constantly monitored, compared against reservoir models, and used to update interference detection. The system automatically compares actual production performance with predicted performance from reservoir models, and when deviations indicate interference, the system triggers alerts and can automatically adjust well operations to mitigate the interference, enabling rapid response that preserves productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reservoir models and historical data to establish baseline performance expectations before interference occurs. By having predictive models ready and configured in advance, the system can immediately detect deviations when interference starts, rather than waiting for manual analysis. The system is pre-configured with interference detection algorithms that automatically activate when conditions warrant, enabling immediate response to protect productivity
3Loss of time
If frequent monitoring of production data is performed, then early detection of interference is achieved, but the use of energy and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies monitoring and computational resources selectively rather than uniformly to all wells and all parameters at all times. The system focuses computational effort on wells and reservoir regions where interference is most likely to occur or where the impact would be greatest, using risk assessment and spatial analysis to prioritize monitoring efforts. This partial action approach maintains early detection capability while reducing overall computational energy consumption compared to universal continuous monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer-readable medium to perform operations including: obtaining production data about the well; generating a simulated average reservoir pressure at the subsurface region that includes the well; computing a difference between an average reservoir pressure obtained from the production data and the simulated average reservoir pressure; determining, based on the computed difference, a performance deviation with reference to a particular area of the subsurface region that includes the well; comparing the performance deviation to a predetermined threshold value that represents an acceptable tolerance for variance in performance of the well; and triggering, when the performance deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold value, a particular type of automated response comprising an action that addresses the variance in performance of the well.