Well Operating Plan Optimization via Reservoir Potential Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional well production planning tools are insufficient for optimizing modern hydrocarbon operations due to their inability to account for dynamic reservoir and near-well conditions, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs in hydrocarbon extraction, particularly in complex geological formations.
Innovation Solution
The development of methods and systems that characterize reservoir potential, near-well capacity, and effective production capacity over space and time using computerized simulations, enabling the determination of optimized well potential and operating plans to enhance hydrocarbon extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional well production planning tools are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and measurement precision of reservoir potential and near-well capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the reservoir evaluation into distinct components: reservoir potential characterization, near-well capacity characterization, and effective production capacity determination. Each component is modeled separately using specialized models that can be independently refined and validated, allowing high measurement precision without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary characterization of reservoir potential and near-well capacity before determining effective production capacity. This staged approach allows each measurement to be optimized independently with appropriate models and data, achieving high precision measurements without requiring all system components to be maximally complex simultaneously.
2Productivity
If dynamic reservoir and near-well conditions are accounted for, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic reservoir conditions and near-well conditions that change over space and time. The models are updated iteratively as new data becomes available, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize productivity throughout the well's lifecycle rather than relying on static initial assessments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses iterative optimization where the determined effective production capacity feeds back into refining the reservoir potential and near-well capacity models. This feedback loop allows the system to learn from actual production data and improve its dynamic modeling, enhancing productivity while managing complexity through adaptive refinement rather than requiring all complexity upfront.
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive modeling is performed to determine optimized well potential, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of reservoir potential and near-well capacity using available data before conducting the full optimization analysis. This preliminary assessment provides initial estimates that guide the subsequent detailed modeling, reducing the time required for comprehensive analysis while maintaining manufacturing precision in the final optimization results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for staged modeling where users can perform partial optimization using subsets of available data and models. This enables quicker initial planning decisions with acceptable precision, while allowing for more comprehensive optimization later when additional data becomes available or when higher precision is required for specific critical decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for making decisions related to the operation of a hydrocarbon well include characterizing effective production capacity of a reservoir over space and time based at least in part on a reservoir potential and a near-well capacity; determining an optimized well potential over space and time relative to the characterized effective production capacity using a well model of a simulated well accessing the reservoir, which may be determined based at least in part on an objective function that considers at least one of a plurality of decision-making factors, such as one or more of operations costs, operational risks, and modeled production rates over the life of the well; and determining at least one well operating plan component that can be incorporated into a well operating plan to provide the optimized well potential in a well accessing the reservoir.