Abstract: A method is presented for modeling reservoir properties. The method includes an auxiliary time-stepping procedure of the reservoir between an old time and a new time, and calculating a plurality of masses explicitly. A plurality of phase component densities is updated linearly from the plurality of masses. A plurality of saturation changes is calculated based on the plurality of masses. A plurality of phase flow rates is updated based on the plurality of saturation changes, a plurality of phase flow rates at the old time, and a plurality of saturation derivatives of the phase flow rates at the old time. A plurality of component flow rates may be calculated based on the updated plurality of phase component densities and the plurality of phase flow rates. The method also includes a formulation method based on the auxiliary time stepping procedure.

Abstract: A disclosed method for a hydrocarbon production system includes collecting production system data. The method also includes performing a simulation based on the collected data, a fluid model, and a fully-coupled set of equations. The method also includes expediting convergence of a solution for the simulation by reducing occurrences of non-physical attributes during the simulation. The method also includes storing control parameters determined for the solution for use with the production system.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for selectively amplifying an acoustic signal in a closed environment. In an implementation, a plurality of acoustic signals may be received from within the closed environment. Frequency ranges corresponding to each acoustic signal may be obtained and compared to determine presence of at least one individual in the closed environment. Acoustic signals pertaining to the at least one individual may be analysed to detect occurrence of a physiological event. Based on the analysis, the acoustic signal may be recognized as a target signal, and the target signal may be amplified in the closed environment. Further, an interfering signal may be generated to cancel other acoustic signals within the closed environment.

Abstract: A well design system that utilizes geological characteristics and fracture growth behavior along of a vertical stratigraphic column of the formation in order to optimize well placement and fracture stimulation designs for the entire formation.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for approximating multiphase flow reservoir production simulation for ranking multiple petro-physical realizations.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bend radius and torque force exerted on a drill string. A sensor system is supported within a pipe section of the drill string and has a light source supported within the pipe section to emit a light beam within the pipe section. An optical sensing device is supported within the pipe section and spaced apart from the light source. The optical sensing device transmits a detection signal indicative of the position of the light beam on a surface of the optical sensing device to a processor that determines the bend radius and torque force exerted on the pipe section.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for approximating multiphase flow reservoir production simulation. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a system that includes at least one processor and memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor performs operations that includes generating a set of pseudo-phase production relative permeability curves; receiving production rate history data; receiving simulation configuration parameters; performing flow simulation using the set of pseudo-phase production relative permeability curves; determining an optimal matching pseudo-phase production simulation result that best matches the production rate history data; and performing relative permeability inversion using signal processing analysis of production rate history data to approximate relative permeability curve descriptions with quantified uncertainty.

Abstract: A method, including: obtaining an initial geophysical model; modeling a forward wavefield with viscoacoustic or viscoelastic wave equations; modeling an adjoint wavefield with adjoint viscoacoustic or adjoint viscoelastic wave equations, wherein the adjoint viscoacoustic wave equations are based on an auxiliary variable that is a function of pressure and a memory variable or the adjoint viscoelastic wave equations are based on a combination of stress and a memory variable, respectively; obtaining a gradient of a cost function based on a combination of a model of the forward wavefield and a model of the adjoint wavefield; and using the gradient of the cost function to update the initial geophysical model and obtain an updated geophysical model.

Abstract: Method and system is described for modeling one or more strength properties of a subsurface volume. The method provides an enhanced process for upscaling to simplify data in a manner that accounts for problems with conventional techniques. The method involves simplifying the petrophysical data and/or layers to provide an upscaling approach that accounts for the influences on the strength properties. The properties may then be utilized to enhance a subsurface model and used to enhance hydrocarbon recovery.

Abstract: A real-time drilling monitor (RTDM) workstation provides real-time information at a well-site. The workstation may include a display and a processor coupled to the display. The processor receives sensor signals from a plurality of sensors and generates a single graphical user interface (GUI) populated with dynamically generated parameters based on the sensor signals, as well as static information and dynamically updated uncertainty assessments.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer-readable media for predicting hydrocarbon production rates for a subterranean formation are described. A method includes: receiving or generating, by at least one processor, well logs from data collected from at least one well in the subterranean formation; generating from the well logs a predicted production rate log for the at least one well; receiving, by the at least one processor, a field dataset for the subterranean formation, the field dataset including field data at locations in 3-dimensions of a volume of the subterranean formation; identifying the predicted production rate log for the at least one well as one or more targets, determining a transform relating the field data and the predicted rate log for the at least one well; and using the transform, generating a predicted production rate for each location of the volume of the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Described herein is an empirical model to estimate inflow performance relationship (IPR) of fishbone wells. A reservoir simulation model is formulated and initial values for a plurality of reservoir and fishbone well parameters are assigned. IPR curves are generated by simulating the formulated reservoir model for a predetermined number of iterations. Each simulation iteration has a unique value of bottom-hole flowing pressure. Sensitivity analysis is performed based on the generated IPR curves by sequentially changing the values of the plurality of fishbone well parameters. Further, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine an empirical model that estimates the IPR of the fishbone well. The empirical model is determined as a function of a number of multilateral branches of the fishbone well.

Abstract: Systems and methods for predefining elements of a cemented wellbore using a graphical user interface comprising various elements for cementing the wellbore and a schematic view of the wellbore and tubing string.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method for multi-nozzle biopolymer deposition of heterogeneous materials to create or modify a composite biopolymer multi-part three-dimensional assembly having at least one biomimetic and at least one non-biomimetic feature. The method includes: (a) utilizing a CAD environment to design and/or modify a composite multi-part assembly, thereby producing a CAD design; (b) converting the CAD design into a three-dimensional heterogeneous material and multi-part assembly model in a format suitable for three-dimensional, multi-nozzle printing, wherein the design comprises at least one biomimetic feature and at least one non-biomimetic feature; and (c) printing the composite assembly by simultaneously depositing the heterogeneous materials using multiple, different, specialized nozzles, wherein the simultaneous depositing includes direct deposition of cells.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product perform lift optimization in a field with a plurality of wells, with each well including an artificial lift mechanism controlled by an associated well controller. In a central controller, a network simulation model functioning as a proxy of the field is accessed to determine an optimal allocation solution for the field, and a well-specific control signal is generated for each of the plurality of wells based upon the determined optimal allocation solution. The well-specific control signal for each of the plurality of wells is communicated to the associated well controller to cause the associated well controller to control a lift parameter associated with the artificial lift mechanism for the well.

Abstract: Designing a drillstring in for use in a wellbore, such as a deviated or horizontal wellbore, particularly with application to extended reach wellbores. Method comprises determining the downhole weight-on-bit transmitted by a drillstring by determining a baseline tension profile and baseline torque profile in a drill string rotating off-bottom, and then using such profiles in conjunction with a selected surface weight-on-bit slack-off value to calculate a drillstring tension profile and rotating torque profile with the bit on bottom and having weight applied thereto. The method includes buckling limit checks and rig operational limit checks to determine if sufficient torque and DWOB can be transmitted through the drillstring, and to determine whether the drill string remains operable even though portions thereof may be in a buckled condition.

Abstract: Solid particles are colored with a cationic dye and at least three calibration standards having different known mass concentrations of the colored particles are prepared. A digital analysis of the images of the calibration standards is carried out based on an additive RGB color model and intensity distribution profiles of red, green and blue colors are obtained for each calibration standard. A single norm function is selected to characterize quantitatively changes in the red, green and blue colors in all calibration standards. A single calibration curve is obtained by comparing values of the selected norm function for each calibration standard with a known mass concentration of the colored particles in this calibration standard. A suspension of the colored solid particles is injected through a porous medium sample and the sample is split into two parts along a suspension flow direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having one or more computer programs stored therein are provided to enhance borehole image analysis associated with a hydrocarbon reservoir. A neural network mapping process can first be performed, responsive to openhole log data and core data, to thereby generate a material-type scheme. Then, an image-based petrophysical analysis process can distribute and calibrate borehole image data, responsive to the core data and material-type scheme. Consequently, an approximated material type and an approximated grain size can be produced for each borehole image reading.

Abstract: A workflow management system that integrates well planning workflows with technical applications, audits change events, provides personnel authorizations, tracks and manages change events, and integrates best practice documentation and data at any point along the workflow.

Abstract: Improved finite-difference staggered grid wave propagation systems and methods. One illustrative computer-based wave field simulation method includes: applying at least one signal to a grid of model cells forming a model space, each model cell having stress values associated with stress nodes and velocity values associated with velocity nodes staggered from the stress nodes; and propagating the at least one signal as a wave into the model space by alternately updating the stress values and the velocity values to obtain a time-dependent wave field associated with the at least one signal. The stress value updating includes, for each model cell: determining spatial derivatives of the velocity values for the model cell; interpolating the spatial derivatives to multiple stress nodes within the model cell; and, for each stress node within the model cell, combining the spatial derivatives associated with that stress node to update at least one stress value associated with that stress node.

Abstract: A method can include receiving fluid saturation data for fluid saturation parameters associated with permeabilities of a multidimensional spatial model of a geologic environment; adjusting at least a portion of the fluid saturation data to provide adjusted fluid saturation data by optimizing a quadratic function subject to linear constraints; and simulating flow of fluid using the adjusted fluid saturation data for fluid saturation parameters associated with permeabilities and the multidimensional spatial model of the geologic environment.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for reservoir connectivity analysis in a 3D earth model. A subsurface region is identified and a baseline reservoir connectivity model is obtained from the subsurface region. Compartments and connections are determined from the baseline reservoir connectivity model using reservoir connectivity analysis, and a set of 3D objects representing the compartments and/or connections is created from the 3D earth model. A mathematical graph structure is created from the 3D objects and reservoir connectivity scenarios are evaluated based on analysis of the mathematical graph structure and 3D objects.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media geologic modeling are disclosed. For example, the method includes receiving an identification of a type of architectural element in association with a first well in a subterranean domain, based at least partially on data collected from the first well, and determining one or more characteristics of the type of architectural element. The method may also include defining, using a processor, an architectural element of the type of architectural element, in a representation of the subterranean domain and in association with the first well, based on the one or more characteristics, and displaying, using the processor and a display device in communication therewith, the architectural element intersecting the first well in a model.

Abstract: Selecting hydrocarbon wells for workover. At least some of the illustrative embodiment including: calculating a plurality of present-performance index values for a respectively plurality of wells, each present-performance index value based on a well's performance with respect to the plurality of wells, and each present-performance index value dimensionless; calculating a plurality of future-performance index values for the respective plurality of wells, each future-performance index value based on a well's expected future performance with respect to the plurality of wells, and each future-performance index value dimensionless; combining a present-performance index value and a future-performance index value for a first well to create a first combination index; combining a present-performance index value and a future-performance index value for a second well to create a second combination index; selecting the hydrocarbon well based on the first and second combination indices.

Abstract: A method, including: identifying a well target or reservoir segment; defining a dynamic surface grid, the dynamic surface grid being a representation of a ground surface, sea-level, or subsea surface above a reservoir upon which a drill center is locatable, and the dynamic surface grid including a plurality of cells that define potential locations for the drill center; assigning, to each of the plurality of cells of the dynamic surface grid, a value of a drilling or geologic attribute that defines a quality of a drill center position relative to the well target or reservoir segment; and selecting, based on a value of the drilling or geologic attribute, a location for the drill center corresponding to a location represented on the dynamic surface grid.

Abstract: Higher order simulation of hydrocarbon flows associated with complex fractures produced in the hydraulic fracturing process in a well system may be used to obtain high fidelity results while minimizing a cost of computation. The higher order simulation of hydrocarbon flows may provide efficient and stable simulation algorithms that avoid any artificial boundary treatment inconsistent with the governing equations, while maintaining a uniform order of accuracy. In particular, a re-normalization technique implements higher-order finite difference/finite volume discretization near the boundary of the complex fractures. The simulation of hydrocarbon flows may be used to determine a production activity for the well system.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for generating well location plans and field development plans assessing and ranking the potential of the different plans with a small number of parameters or initial conditions, thus considerably reducing the decision time for taking a particular strategy when compared with the techniques described in the art.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system can transmit communications indicating an occurrence of a particular type of safety incident experienced by a user. Registration information that indicates that a plurality of safety devices of different types are to be registered with the user is initially obtained. Sensor data from the plurality of safety devices of different types are obtained. An occurrence of a particular type of safety incident experienced by the user is then selected from among a plurality of types of safety incidents. The selection may be based at least on the obtained sensor data and the obtained registration information. A communication is then provided to another user to indicate the occurrence of the particular type of safety incident experienced by the user in response to selecting the occurrence of the particular type of safety incident.

Abstract: System and methods for optimizing multistage hydraulic fracturing design based on three-dimensional (3D) continuum damage mechanics are provided. A 3D global model of a field of hydrocarbon reservoirs is generated. A finite element analysis of the 3D global model is performed to calculate values of one or more mechanical variables for the field. A smaller-scale 3D sub-model of a selected portion of the field is generated from the 3D global model based on the calculated values of the mechanical variables. The hydraulic fracturing effects of fluid injection stimulation within the targeted reservoir formation are simulated by applying one or more numerical damage models to the sub-model. Optimal design parameters for multistage hydraulic fracturing of the targeted formation with a plurality of horizontal wells are determined based on numerical results of the simulation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums for optimizing the placement of wells in a reservoir. Embodiments include, for example, determining for a reservoir a productivity index for each coordinate of a reservoir using reservoir metrics associated with the reservoir, generating a grid pattern of the reservoir using the productivity index with time values extracted for each coordinate, determining a total dynamic productivity index for each coordinate, and determining placement of one or more wells responsive to the total dynamic productivity index and minimum spacing between the one or more wells. Embodiments further include, for example, generating a production analysis report for the reservoir that includes an assessment of well placement and generating a wells placement map using one or more total dynamic productivity index indicators.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of monitoring recovery site hydrocarbons (HC) using an unconventional method which permits quantifying the HC present in zones above the exploration and development zone. The method according to the invention is based on the adjustment of a model describing the gas concentration as a function of time, using in-situ geochemical analyzes of rare gases and, when appropriate, of injected gas used for fracturing, contained in fluid phases of subsoil samples. By use of rare gas analysis, the method according to the invention allows anticipation of hydrocarbon leakage above the exploration/development site.

Abstract: In some aspects, flow path connection conditions are generated for a flow path intersection in a one-dimensional fluid flow model. The one-dimensional fluid flow model represents a flow of well system fluid in a well system environment. The flow path connection conditions conserve fluid momentum among three or more flow path branches that meet at the flow path intersection. Fluid flow is simulated in the fracture network by operating the one-dimensional fluid flow model based on the connection condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an integrated wellbore stress, stability and strengthening analysis are disclosed. An integrated geomechanical tool can be used to analyze and evaluate stress along the length of the wellbore to identify a safe drilling mud weight window and help identify troublesome zones in the wellbore. Fracture length may then be predicted in the identified troublesome zones by using a stress tensor calculated during the stress analysis. The calculated fracture length may be used to perform a strengthening analysis. After performing strengthening analysis, mud loss may be predicted based on predicted fracture size calculated during the stress, stability and strengthening analyzes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software can be used to simulate a fracture treatment. In some aspects, a common solution vector for multiple distinct subsystem models is defined. Each subsystem model represents a distinct subsystem of an injection treatment system. Parameters of the subsystem models are updated based on the solution vector according to predefined relationships between the solution vector and the parameters of the subsystem models. The subsystem models are operated based on the solution vector and the updated parameters.

Abstract: Provided are methods, computer readable medium, apparatus, and program code for determining well characteristics and pore architecture for a hydrocarbon well utilizing data available from conventional/standard electronic well logs. An example of a method can include determining the value of well constants from well log data to include calculating water saturation, free water level location, wettability, and pore throat heterogeneity, and calculating pore architecture at log resolution responsive thereto. This can be accomplished, for example, by accessing well log data from a conventional well log, determining a linear regression line responsive to parameters calculated from the well log data, the linear regression line having a slope and an intercept, and determining a value of each of a plurality of well constants responsive to a value of the slope and of the intercept of the linear regression line.

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: A managed pressure drilling (MPD) system employs reliability models such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Ishikawa diagram, Pareto chart, Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) in assessing and optimizing the system reliability. The MPD drilling system is suitable for offshore drilling operations.

Abstract: A system and method of automatic local grid refinements in reservoir simulation systems is described. In one aspect of the disclosure, a method is directed to a computer-implemented method of modeling a formation. The method includes applying a coarse grid to a geologic formation of interest, the coarse grid having a plurality of coarse grid blocks and identifying a structure of interest disposed in the formation. Further, the method includes determining a fine grid zone around the structure based upon a time period for flow simulation of the geologic formation and a geologic characteristic of the geologic formation in a local region adjacent the structure and applying a fine grid to the coarse grid blocks encompassed by the fine grid zone.

Abstract: A method of multiphase flow upscaling of a fine scale geologic model. A local domain is defined from the fine scale geologic model. The local domain includes adjacent upstream and downstream coarse grid domains and a concatenated domain adjacent the upstream coarse grid domain. A coarse grid interface is defined between the upstream coarse grid domain and the downstream coarse grid domain. Boundary conditions are imposed on various faces of the components of the local domain. Fluid flow is simulated through the local domain for a plurality of time steps until the local domain is completely flooded. A fine scale solution of saturation and flow rate of individual fluid phases across the coarse grid interface is recorded at each time step. A pseudo-function is constructed by post-processing results of the simulation of fluid flow. The fine scale geologic model is upscaled to a coarse scale geologic model using the pseudo-function.

Abstract: A method and non-transitory program carrier device tangibly carrying computer executable instructions for adjusting downhole valve settings in order to optimize oil recovery and reduce water production from a well. The method and non-transitory program carrier device are particularly advantageous in wells with intelligent completions that are often referred to as smart wells. In the oil and gas industry, an Internal Control Valve (ICV) is an important tool for both reactive and proactive approaches to adjust ICV settings to improve oil recovery.

Abstract: In some aspects, a flow model represents a flow path for well system fluid in a subterranean region. A first system of equations from a finite element (FE) discretization of a flow model is accessed by a computer system. A second system of equations that imposes a constraint on errors between an exact solution and an FE solution to the flow model is accessed by the computer system. The FE solution includes nodes representing locations along the flow path for well system fluid in the subterranean region. Locations of the nodes can be computed by operations of the computer system in an iterative manner by computing locations of new nodes based on locations of existing nodes and refining the locations of the new nodes and the locations of the existing nodes based on the first and second systems of equations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating well production performance in fractured reservoir systems using real-time down-hole temperature and stress information from advanced monitoring techniques.

Abstract: A set of geological exploration methods of using the non-section methods and rotary networks formed by triangulated irregulars. It aims to directly construct high-precision three-dimensional models, plans and sections for solving the drawbacks of existing geological exploration methods, such as the dispersion of drill holes, the faults tracking, the controlling of structures, minelayers/stratum/ore bodies, the bending correction of drill holes, and the geological map-making methods.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering and placing proppant to a subterranean formation fracture including identifying control variables and uncertain parameters of the proppant delivery and placement, optimizing a performance metric of the proppant delivery and placement under uncertainty, calculating sensitivity indices and ranking parameters according to a relative contribution in total variance for an optimized control variable, and updating a probability distribution for parameters, repeating optimizing comprising the probability distribution, and evaluating a risk profile of the optimized performance metric using a processor. Some embodiments may deliver proppant to the fracture using updated optimized values of control variables.

Abstract: A fine computer model covering an area includes a fine grid. A fault follows a fine-grid-path. The fault divides the area into a first fine side and a second fine. A model of a source of fluid flow is on the first fine side of the area. A model of a sink of fluid flow is on the second fine side of the area. The computer coarsens the model. The fault follows a coarse-grid-path in the coarsened model. The coarse-grid-path divides the area into a first coarse side and a second coarse side. The model of the source and the model of the sink are on the first coarse side of the area. One of the source or the sink is moved to the second coarse side of the area.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for modeling three dimensional objects, such as, but not limited to, fractures, for the purpose of reservoir simulation. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a method that receives a set of 3D fractures with geometry that has been discretized by 2D surfaces by a collection of polygonal facets, generates a set of 3D stadia at specified radii around each facet in the collection of polygonal facet, generates closed 3D stadia surfaces around intersecting facets, discretizes all 3D stadia surfaces using various shape cells, generates 3D cells within each of the closed 3D stadia surfaces, and assigns each cell reservoir properties suitable for a numeric simulation program, such as, but not limited to, Nexus® Reservoir Simulation Software.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for exploiting (EX) a geological reservoir according to an exploitation scheme (SE) defined on the basis of a matched reservoir model (CAL) with static data and dynamic data. For this method, a first reservoir model (MR) displaying a certain consistency with respect to the flow properties of the medium is preselected. This preselected model (MR) is then used as starting point for the history matching process (CAL).

Abstract: A method for matching production history to flow simulations includes identifying a plurality of parameters that control an objective function measuring the mismatch between a flow simulation response in a parameter subspace and a production history. A value is calculated for an objective function and for a static measurement at each of a plurality of experiments in the parameter subspace. These results are used to develop a mathematical relationship between one or more static measurements and the objective function. During subsequent adjustment of the simulation model, a target window in the objective function is identified, and flow simulations are performed for each modified model that is predicted from the static geologic measurement to produce an objective function within the window. An objective function of each flow simulation to the production history is calculated and the procedure is iterated until the objective function is within a target range.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to geophysical analysis. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving seismic data for a geophysical formation recorded during a seismic survey using one or more seabed sensors and one or more sources. In this embodiment, the method includes determining a seismic gather for a location in the geophysical formation, modifying the seismic gather by interchanging source-receiver definitions for the seismic gather, and imaging the location using the modified gather. In this embodiment, the imaging uses higher-order reflections recorded in the seismic gather. In some embodiments, the method includes separating up-going and down-going wavefields and separately imaging using the up-going wavefield and the down-going wavefield.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for providing a visualization of a model. The method includes receiving a grid of the model including cells representing space, time, or both in the model. The method also includes grouping at least some of the cells into first-level gridlets. The method also includes grouping at least some of the first-level gridlets into second-level gridlets. The method further includes determining a first upper limit of elements to send for display, based on a display system capability, and determining that the number of first-level gridlets exceeds the first upper limit, and that the number of second-level gridlets is less than or equal to the first upper limit. In response, the method includes selecting at least some of the second-level gridlets for display and omitting from display at least some of the cells and at least some of the first-level gridlets.