Well Log Fluid Property Estimation via Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current volumetric estimation techniques in well logging often rely on assumed petrophysical properties for water and hydrocarbons, failing to accurately estimate continuous water salinity and hydrocarbon properties, particularly in subsurface formations where these properties are unknown.
Innovation Solution
A method involving simultaneous or sequential inversion of multiple well log measurements, including nuclear, resistivity, and dielectric data, to estimate water salinity, saturation, and hydrocarbon properties, using parameterization and correction techniques to account for invasion effects and fluid complexities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If assumed petrophysical properties are used for water and hydrocarbons, then the estimation process is simplified, but the accuracy of water salinity and hydrocarbon properties estimation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the estimation problem by changing the approach from using fixed assumed values to solving for continuous property parameters. The numerical solver iteratively adjusts water salinity, hydrocarbon types, and other petrophysical parameters to match observed well log responses, thereby determining unknown properties rather than assuming them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual or simplified estimation approach with an automated numerical inversion system. The computer-implemented method uses algorithms to automatically solve the inverse problem, substituting manual assumption-making with computational analysis of well log data to derive accurate fluid properties.
2Measurement precision
If formation testers are used to collect fluid samples and perform downhole fluid analysis, then fluid properties can be determined, but the process is limited by discrete test depths and hypotheses about fluids in place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the well log data itself to provide the information needed for fluid property estimation without requiring separate formation testing operations. The numerical inversion process uses the well log responses to self-determine water salinity, saturation, and hydrocarbon properties, making the system self-sufficient rather than requiring additional invasive testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms discrete point measurements from formation testers into continuous property estimates across the entire well log depth range. The numerical solver processes well log data continuously with depth, providing continuous estimates of water salinity, saturation, and hydrocarbon properties rather than isolated measurements at discrete test depths.
3Measurement precision
If known techniques provide estimation of continuous water salinity and saturation, then water properties are improved, but hydrocarbon types and properties remain unaddressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal numerical inversion framework that simultaneously estimates multiple fluid properties including water salinity, water saturation, and hydrocarbon types. The same computational approach handles both water and hydrocarbon parameters, making the system versatile for comprehensive fluid characterization rather than limited to single-property estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the estimation of water properties and hydrocarbon properties into a single integrated numerical inversion process. Rather than treating water and hydrocarbon estimation as separate problems, the method combines them into one unified analysis that solves for all unknown fluid properties simultaneously using the well log responses.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for estimation of water properties and hydrocarbon properties in a subsurface formation includes acquiring a plurality of well log measurements from the subsurface formation. The water properties and the hydrocarbon properties are parameterized with respect to a selected set of well log measurements. A simultaneous or sequential inversion is performed to estimate the water properties and the hydrocarbon properties.