Abstract: The disclosure pertains to the determining the efficiency of stimulation operations in a hydrocarbon well. Stimulation is performed in a hydrocarbon well and various data is obtained therefrom. The data is used to develop a simulation of fluid flow in the well and the simulation is used to model a synthetic tracer log, which corresponds to a modeled level of efficiency. Numerous synthetic tracer logs may be generated in this way so that tracer logs are available for a variety of different stimulation efficiencies. In order to determine the efficiency of an actual stimulation, the real tracer log of the stimulated well may be compared to the synthetic tracer logs in search of a match. When the real tracer log matches a synthetic tracer log the modeled efficiency of the synthetic log may be used as the actual or true efficiency of the real well stimulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a custom reservoir from multiple compartments representing one or more geological structures by performing custom reservoir generation on each compartment to generate one or more combined compartments.

Abstract: A method and system are described for characterizing fractures in subsurface regions, using the fracture characterizations in subsurface models, and using the subsurface models in hydrocarbon operations. In the methods and systems, one or more zones are identified in a subsurface model for fracture characterization; a multi-layer model is created for the selected zone; and macromechanical geological loads are applied and simulated to generate fractures for the zone.

Abstract: A parallel-processing hydrocarbon (HC) migration and accumulation methodology is applied to basin data to determine migration pathways and traps for high-resolution petroleum system modeling. HC is determined in parallel to have been expelled in source rocks associated with a plurality of grid cells divided into one or more subdomains. Potential trap peaks are identified within the plurality of grid cells. An invasion percolation (IP) process is performed until the HC stops migrating upon arrival to the plurality of trap peaks. A determination is made as to whether the grid cells containing HC contains an excess volume of HC. An accumulation process is performed to model the filling of the HC at a trap associated with the identified potential trap peaks. The trap boundary cell list is updated in parallel together with an HC potential value. Trap filling terminates when excess HC is depleted or a spill point is reached.

Abstract: A method in accordance with some embodiments comprises receiving input parameters specifying fracturing requirements, electronically accessing formation data associated with a target formation, and using a computer processor to dynamically generate a fracturing plan for at least one of a plurality of boreholes in the target formation. The plan includes potential fracture locations and lengths that account for existing or planned fracture locations along others of the plurality of boreholes and that further account for the received input parameters and the accessed formation data. The method also comprises fracturing the target formation along the plurality of boreholes in accordance with the fracturing plan.

Abstract: A system and method for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with of a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves performing reservoir characterization to generate a mechanical earth model based on integrated petrophysical, geomechanical and geophysical data. The method also involves generating a stimulation plan by performing well planning, a staging design, a stimulation design and a production prediction based on the mechanical earth model. The stimulation design is optimized by repeating the well planning, staging design, stimulation design, and production prediction in a feedback loop until an optimized stimulation plan is generated.

Abstract: A method for managing oilfield water. Oilfield water data is grouped into discrete and non-overlapping groups. Outliers are removed from the data. Features of the remaining data are analyzed to identify most discriminative feature. The data is separated into training data and testing data, and the training data is fit into a model that shows the best precision, accuracy and recall. The model is confirmed using the testing data. Upon confirmation of the accuracy of the model, the model is applied to data for a new proposed oilfield well, and a new proposed project is implemented or disapproved based on a result of the identified model that predicts water production of the new proposed oilfield well.

Abstract: Methods of managing aggregate inventory. The methods include utilizing a dynamic protocol for an oilfield operation with aggregate from chambers of a multi-silo system wherein each chamber accommodates a single aggregate type throughout operations. However, the chambers also have a dynamic classification as either active, idle or reserved depending on the stage of operations. Once more, even though each silo may accommodate multiple chambers, unique techniques may be utilized to obtain real-time inventory information for each chamber via weight measurement of entire silos.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for history matching a facies geostatistical model using the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) technique. The EnKF is not normally appropriate for discontinuous facies models such as multiple point simulation (MPS). In the method of the invention, an ensemble of realizations are generated and then uniform vectors on which those realizations are based are transformed to Gaussian vectors before applying the EnKF to the Gaussian vectors directly. The updated Gaussian vectors are then transformed back to uniform vectors which are used to update the realizations. The uniform vectors may be vectors on which the realizations are based directly; alternatively each realization may be based on a plurality of uniform vectors linearly combined with combination coefficients. In this case each realization is associated with a uniform vector made up from the combination coefficients, and the combination coefficient vector is then transformed to Gaussian and updated using EnKF.

Abstract: Methods of performing a fracture operation at a wellsite with a fracture network are provided. The methods involve obtaining wellsite data and a mechanical earth model, and generating a hydraulic fracture growth pattern for the fracture network over time. The generating involves extending hydraulic fractures from a wellbore and into the fracture network of a subterranean formation to form a hydraulic fracture network, determining hydraulic fracture parameters after the extending, determining transport parameters for proppant passing through the hydraulic fracture network, and determining fracture dimensions of the hydraulic fractures from the hydraulic fracture parameters, the transport parameters and the mechanical earth model. The methods also involve performing stress shadowing on the hydraulic fractures to determine stress interference between fractures and repeating the generating based on the determined stress interference. The methods may also involve determining crossing behavior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a production method for hydrocarbons contained in an underground formation penetrated by at least one well. The method is based on the determination of at least one productivity index IP dependent on the temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating multiple correlated meshes around complex and discrete fractures for the purpose of reservoir simulation. In an initial two-stage process, a 2.5-dimensional mesher algorithm, may be used in conjunction with an extended anisotropic geometry-adaptive refinement algorithm to produce, from a structured grid Earth Model, a refined reservoir model. Fractures may be modeled as a volumetric mesh that is independent of the refined reservoir model. Thereafter, the two independent, overlapping meshes are combined by forming matrix-matrix, fracture-fracture, and matrix-fracture connections to form a single model to allow rapid simulation of an extremely complex fracture network with sufficiently accurate results.

Abstract: A method of optimization ICD design that includes consideration of reservoir characteristics, well configuration and type of enhanced oil recovery technique, as well as needed performance characteristics. Thus, the ICD is optimized for particular wells, reservoirs and/or enhanced oil recovery uses.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for modifying a three-dimensional geocellular model. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a system that includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor. The memory stores instructions that when executed by the at least one processor performs operations that includes loading into memory a three-dimensional geocellular model that corresponds to a two-dimensional geological model. The operations include determining a portion of the three-dimensional geocellular model affected by a change to the two-dimensional geological model and performing a local update to the portion of the three-dimensional geocellular model affected by the change.

Abstract: A method for mapping a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first set of subterranean formation data based, at least in part, on survey data from the subterranean formation. The method includes receiving a second set of subterranean formation data based, at least in part, on one or more formation samples from the subterranean formation The method includes determining a stratagraphic composition of the subterranean formation and generating a fortistratisgraphic map of the subterranean formation based, at least in part on the first set of subterranean formation data, the second set of subterranean formation data, and the stratigraphic composition of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A multiple point simulation technique for generating a model realization of a subterranean formation having different facies is described which uses a non-stationary training image which reflects facies spatial trends across the formation. The realization is formed by sequentially populating each cell; a facies pattern of neighboring cells is identified for each cell in the model grid, and then corresponding facies patterns identified in the training image. The probability of a target cell in the model grid having a given facies is calculated based on the proportion of occurrences of the corresponding facies pattern where the central cell has that facies. The contribution of each corresponding facies pattern occurrence in the training image to this proportion or probability is weighted according to the distance between its central cell and the training image cell corresponding in location to the target cell in the model grid.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for determining fracture toughness of a subsurface geologic formation. Embodiments include collecting (from drilling fluid circulated into a wellbore during a drilling operation) a drill cutting generated by a drill bit cutting into a subsurface formation, preparing (from the drill cutting) a drill cutting specimen comprising a miniature single edge notch beam (SENB) having a specified length in the range of 1 millimeter (mm) to 100 mm, conducting a three-point bend testing of the drill cutting specimen to generate load-displacement measurements for the drill cutting specimen, and determining (based on the load-displacement measurements for the drill cutting specimen) a fracture toughness of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for performing surveys are provided. A first set of surveys may be performed during a drilling operation on a drilling rig. A tubular may be removed from a drill string, and a second set of surveys may be performed during a tripping out operation on the drilling rig, such that the first set of surveys is offset from the second set of surveys. A tubular may be added to the drill string, and a third set of surveys may be performed during a tripping in operation on the drilling rig, such that the third set of surveys is offset from the first set of surveys and the second set of surveys.

Abstract: A method of modeling a formation is described. In one aspect of the disclosure, the method includes initiating operation of a reservoir simulator, and, following initiation of operation of the simulator, retrieving formation data from an external data source via a communications network and utilizing the retrieved data as part of the on-going simulation. In certain embodiments, a data deck may be supplied to the simulator before operation of the simulator is initiated. The data deck may include information for establishing a network communications link between the reservoir simulator and an external data server.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method involves analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, which includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, historical temperatures are determined based on the signature. The historical temperature is used to define seal timing, trap timing, migration efficiency and/or charge efficiency, which is used to develop or refine an exploration, development, or production strategy.

Abstract: System for mapping a magnetic-field including a magnetic-field-transmitter, a freestanding magnetic-field-detector operative to freely move within a volume of interest and acquire measurements of the flux of the magnetic-field at a plurality of poses, a pose-information-acquisition-module for measuring information related to the pose of the magnetic-field-detector and a processor, coupled with the magnetic-field-detector and with said pose-information-acquisition-module and determines pose-related-information respective of each of at least a portion of the magnetic-flux-measurements, according to said information related to the pose of said magnetic-field-detector, the processor further estimating the entire set of parameters of a magnetic-field-model-template according to the magnetic-flux-measurements and the respective pose-related-information the magnetic flux measurements, the processor incorporates the entire set of parameters into said magnetic field model template, thereby determining said magnetic fi

Abstract: A method for performing simulation of a field having a subterranean formation, including: obtaining a three-dimensional (3D) porous solid image of a core sample, the core sample representing a portion of the field; generating a digital rock model from the solid image, the digital rock model describing a physical pore structure in the core sample; obtaining phase behavior data of fluids of the field; generating a digital fluid model of the fluids based on the phase behavior data, the digital fluid model describing a physical property of the fluid; performing, on a computer system and based on the digital rock model and the digital fluid model, simulations of the field by varying an input parameter for the simulations; and analyzing an output parameter generated by the simulations to determine an effect of varying the input parameter on the output parameter.

Abstract: A parallel processing apparatus includes: processors; and a network switch, wherein a first processor: generates divided matrix data by dividing the matrix data in such a manner that an overlapping portion is present with each other; transmits the divided matrix data to a second processor; generates first evaluation-value matrix data from the divided matrix data; transmits, to the second processor, first elements in a first overlapping portion of the first evaluation-value matrix data; receives, from the second processor, second elements of a second overlapping portion of second evaluation-value matrix data; calculates first added evaluation data by adding the second elements to the first elements; transmits the first added evaluation data to the second processor; receives, from the second processor, second added evaluation data; and calculates a first C point or a first F point based on the first evaluation-value matrix data which is updated using the second added evaluation data.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method that improves the long-range geobody continuity in Multiple Point Statistical methods, wherein the coarsest multi-grid level cells are simulated in a regular path, and the subsequent level cells are simulated in a random path as usual. The method is general and is applicable to different cases: such as hard data conditioning, soft data conditioning, non-stationarity modeling, 2 or more than 2 types of facies modeling, and 2D and 3D modeling. The method is particularly useful in reservoir modeling, especially for the channelized systems, but can be generally applied to other geological environments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for assessing porosity and water saturation cutoff values for hydrocarbon volume estimation are described. The techniques can include determining a plurality of water saturation and porosity value pairs for locations regularly-spaced along at least one borehole. The techniques can further include plotting the plurality of water saturation and porosity value pairs on a graph and representing a plurality of percentiles of the estimated maximal hydrocarbon volume on the graph. The techniques can also include causing the graph to be displayed to a user, such that the user can visually observe a combined sensitivity to porosity and water saturation cutoffs values. The user can take various actions based on the display.

Abstract: Methods and systems to estimate physical dimensions of actual obstructions identified as being in a wellbore of an injection well are provided. Methods and systems include the determination of a well performance model with a simulated obstruction, using inflow performance and outflow performance relationships.

Abstract: Methods are described for the production of a hydrocarbon product and selective rejection of low quality hydrocarbons from a bitumen-containing material, where product quality, production yield, processing input requirements, and environmental benefits are assessed for selecting a candidate method for deployment. The methods facilitate selection and deployment of sustainable hydrocarbon production operations rather than focusing on maximizing volumetric yield of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating hybrid computational meshes around complex and discrete fractures for the purpose of reservoir simulation. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a method that comprises receiving a set of 3D fracture surfaces with geometry that has been discretized in a 2D manifold by a collection of polygons. The method defines a family of non-intersecting 2D slicing surfaces for slicing the set of 3D fracture surfaces. The method then uses the intersection of the 2D slicing surface with the 2D manifolds defining the fracture surfaces to create a set of 2D fractures on each slicing surface. Following a series of steps, the method generates three-dimensional shells connecting a set of stadia corresponding to each fracture on each 2D slicing surface to a corresponding set of stadia on a neighboring 2D slicing surface for creating a three-dimensional model.

Abstract: Oilfield management includes obtaining a binary variable array describing configurable elements of an oilfield design, partitioning the binary variable array into subgroups, and applying a transformation function to each subgroup to obtain an integer variable for each subgroup. An optimization problem is solved on the binary variable array by treating the integer variable as a continuous variable to obtain a solution, and the transformation function of each subgroup is applied to the solution to obtain a design pattern. Based on the design pattern, the oilfield design is generated.

Abstract: Petroleum Analytics Learning Machine (or PALM) system is a machine learning based, “brutally empirical” analysis system for use in all upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. PALM system optimizes exploration, production and gathering from at least one well of oil and natural gas fields to maximize production while minimizing costs. Normalized data are processed to determine clusters of correlation in multi-dimensional space to identify a machine learned ranking of importance weights for each attribute. Predictive and prescriptive optimization on the normalized data is performed utilizing unique combinations of machine learning and statistical algorithm ensembles. The unstructured textual data are classified to correlate with optimal production to capture the dynamics of at least one or more wells of oil and natural gas fields and to provide categorization results from labeled data sets to identify patterns.

Abstract: A system has a tool capable of obtaining data that characterizes a stimulated reservoir or from which the stimulated reservoir can be characterized. The system also includes a processor capable of predicting the production of the stimulated reservoir using the characterizing data and outputting the predicted production. A reservoir may be stimulated using a stimulation process and data may be obtained that characterizes the stimulated reservoir or from which the stimulated reservoir can be characterized. The production of the stimulated reservoir may be predicted using the data. Alternatively, a reservoir may be stimulated using a stimulation process and data that characterizes the stimulated reservoir or from which the stimulated reservoir can be characterized may be obtained. One or more 3-D volumes may be produced based on the characterizing data, and inferences about the stimulated reservoir may be made using the one or more 3-D volumes.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving data associated with a set of microseismic events and a fracture network, the data associated with each microseismic event including a location where, and a time when, the microseismic event was recorded by one or more sensors. Each microseismic event in the set may be added to a fracture network in chronological order of the time when the microseismic event was recorded. Each microseismic event may be added by connecting the event to the fracture network by a fracture according to a connection criterion. A stimulated rock volume may be generated that is defined by an iso-surface of points having a constant distance to the fracture network, wherein the fracture network includes a plurality of microseismic events in the set and a plurality of fractures connecting the plurality of microseismic events according to the connection criterion.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating hybrid computational meshes around complex and discrete fractures for the purpose of reservoir simulation. For example, one embodiment is a computer-implemented method for modeling three-dimensional (3D) geological fractures. The method includes the steps of receiving a set of fractures with geometry that has been discretized in a two-dimensional plane by a collection of line segments. The method generates closed loops around all the line segments associated with a fracture using a set of stadia and further generates shape elements within the closed loops. A constrained mesh around the closed loops of the set of fracture is generated to fill in a remainder space of the two-dimensional plane. The cell elements in the two-dimensional plane can then be extruded in a third dimension to form a three-dimensional model usable for performing reservoir simulations.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for processing well data from a well. The method comprises: receiving, for each current facies, a presence probability distribution of said current facies, depending on a parameter influencing sedimentation. For each current measurement, and in a space comprising at least a first axis and a second axis, determining at least one point having, as a coordinate along the first axis, said current measurement, and as a coordinate along the second axis, a value of the parameter, determined depending on the presence probability distribution of the facies associated with the current measurement in the received well data. The method further comprises determining a curve in the space depending on at least one point for each measurement of the plurality of measurements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for subsurface secondary and/or tertiary oil recovery optimization based on either a short term, medium term or long term optimization analysis of selected zones, wells, patterns/clusters and/or fields.

Abstract: Unconventional reservoirs need hydraulic stimulation in all the wells to enhance permeability for an economic production, which accounts for a large part of the well expenditure. However, lack of accurate stress information leads to incorrect selection of producing intervals, which transforms to under-performance in production. An analytical solution is optimized to determine the principal horizontal stresses by integrating the concept of uniaxial elasticity and frictional equilibrium. The software tool allows estimation of the continuous solutions of stresses based on the frictional strength concept. A more realistic considerations of rock rheology in stress estimation and better estimate principal horizontal stress magnitude in the earth crust help in planning and executing hydraulic stimulation operation. The stress estimate also aids in planning important parameters to drill and complete the wells successfully.

Abstract: A method for completing a well includes receiving completion parameters associated with a well within a field; projecting a production of the well based on the completion parameters using a completion engine applied to a field-specific model; prescribing proposed completion parameters for the well to comply with a production objective using the completion engine applied to the field-specific model; projecting a proposed production based on the proposed completion parameters using the completion engine applied to the field-specific model; and recompleting the well in accordance with the proposed completion parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing run time for a reservoir simulator model using a proxy model based on a neural network.

Abstract: The invention is a method of constructing an optimized mesh for reservoir simulation in a subterranean formation useful for exploration in exploitation of oil deposits. At an instant T of the reservoir simulation, a size function is estimated, characterizing the initial mesh representative of the subterranean formation being studied. Next the flow of the fluids within the formation at this instant T is simulated by use of a reservoir simulator and of the initial mesh. An optimized size function is thereafter computed by use of the size function estimated on the initial mesh and of at least one parameter deduced from the reservoir simulation. And finally, an optimized mesh is constructed by modifying the initial mesh as a function of the optimized size function.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to generate and use drillability exponents. Data acquired from downhole sensors can be used to determine drillability exponents. The drill exponents can be used in number of processes to enhance various features of a drilling operation. 5 Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring measurement data from a plurality of measurements corresponding to different depths within a wellbore. Using a processor, a distribution of rock types in each cell of a plurality of geological cells around the wellbore is determined from the measurement data. Petrophysical characteristics of each cell of the plurality of geological cells are calculated from the distribution of rock types.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the controlled determination of channel waves on the basis of a model comprising at least one minimum limit distance being associated with a representation. The method comprises a determination of a first trajectory and a first dress-up, the latter being tangent internally to a polar form centered on the well and with the said minimum limit distance as radius. A minimum exclusion zone is then determined as a function of said point of minimum tangency and a second trajectory and a second dress-up are determined in such a way that this second dress-up does not cross the minimum exclusion area. The determination of the second trajectory is repeated if the intersection between the representation of the well and the union of the trajectories determined is empty.

Abstract: An improved solution for estimating the flow rate of a fluid in a line of a hydrocarbon production installation, during production. Systems and methods for producing hydrocarbons on a line of a hydrocarbon production installation can include at least two devices adapted each for providing an estimate of the flow rate of a fluid in the line based on respective data. The devices include at least one metric counter, and the data relative to the provision of an estimate of the flow rate by the metric counter include a measurement done by at least one sensor of the metric counter on the fluid. Further, data can be determined relative to the provision of an estimate of the flow rate by the devices, and a DVR process involving the determined data, the reconciliation being conditioned by at least a substantial equality between the estimates of the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for characterizing the evolution of a reservoir by determining a seismic wavelet which links observed seismic data to a sequence of reflectivities. The method comprises obtaining seismic data (200) representing seismic changes which have occurred between a first time and a second time, said seismic data comprising a plurality of seismic traces; and performing an optimization operation simultaneously (230) on the seismic traces so as to optimize for said seismic wavelet. The optimization operation may be performed without using known reflectivity data as an input.

Abstract: Specialized computing systems, devices, interfaces and methods facilitate the simulation of downhole milling procedures such as wellbore departure milling procedures. Computing systems, devices, interfaces and methods enable a user to design and select milling components and procedures to be compared and simulated. Various milling parameters, such as milling tool parameters, whipstock parameters, and wellbore casing parameters may be accessed and selectably modified with milling and simulation interfaces to define and control the simulated milling procedures. Different types of output are selectably rendered to reflect various aspects of the simulated milling procedures.

Abstract: Fracture networks are simulated using a large triangle mesh size for large fractures and a smaller triangle mesh size for small fractures. Input data defining parameters of one or more fractures are input, the fractures being comprised of a triangle mesh. A first triangle mesh size for the fractures is determined based upon the input data. A second smaller triangle mesh size is then determined based upon the input data. The fracture network is then simulated using the large and small triangle mesh sizes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of modelling a subsurface volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods may include sending, to a downhole tool emulator, at least one input signal that represents one or more conditions in a simulated well system. The downhole tool emulator may include one or more electronic components to be placed in a downhole tool. The at least one input signal may be generated based at least partially on a reservoir model of the simulated well system. The method may include receiving at least one output signal that represents a response of the downhole tool emulator to the one or more conditions. The method may also include sending, to the downhole tool emulator, at least one command that represents an operation of the downhole tool emulator. The at least one command may represent a change in the operation of the downhole tool emulator based at least partially on the one or more conditions and the response.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining a truncation diagram for a pluri-Gaussin geological parameter estimation associated with a zone of a real subsoil. The method comprises receiving an auxiliary variable describing the zone, computing a normalized variable based on the auxiliary variable and determining a weighted probability map for the normalized variable, each point of the weighted probability map being in correspondence with a point, of the truncation diagram. Moreover for each point of the truncation diagram, the method further comprises determining an associated geological parameter based on the probability value of each point of the weighted probability map. The method is also used to adapt truncation diagram to global or local target, proportions of the facies model to built.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of modelling a subsurface volume. History data for one or more parameters over a first period of time is obtained. The first period of time comprises a plurality of schedule periods, each schedule period having associated with it a sampled value of the considered parameter at the corresponding time. A merge error value is attributed to plural pairs of consecutive schedule periods, the merge error value representing a magnitude of the error in a merged value of each parameter over the duration corresponding to a pair of schedule periods being considered, relative to the sampled values for said pair of schedule periods being considered. The pair of schedule periods which have the smallest error value attributed thereto is merged, and the merged schedule period has attributed to it, the corresponding merged value of the corresponding parameter. The error value calculation and merger steps are repeated so as to reduce the total number of schedule periods.