Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Other

David Hoyal

Max Deffenbaugh

Tao Sun

Dachang Li

Chun Huh

Neal L Adair

John Van Wagoner

Xiao-Hui Wu

Timothy A Chartrand

Paul A Dunn

Chris J Donofrio

David N Awwiller

William B Heard

The invention is a method of modeling a hydrocarbon reservoir. A parameter value in a set of equations is adjusted so that the output of the equations accurately matches observed sediment erosion and deposition behavior for sediment sizes throughout a range of about 10 microns to about 10 centimeters. An initial condition of a sediment bed in the hydrocarbon reservoir is defined. The equations are applied to the initial condition, wherein outputs of the equations express how a fluid flow affects erosion and deposition of sediments at the initial condition. The initial condition is adjusted based on the equation outputs to create a subsequent sediment bed condition. The equations are re-applied to the subsequent sediment bed condition a pre-determined number of times. The subsequent sediment bed condition is re-adjusted after each re-application of the equations. The model of the hydrocarbon reservoir is created and outputted.

Sediment transport by fully developed turbulent flows

A method is disclosed for simulating the formation of sedimentary deposits. In one embodiment, this method involves, (a) solving a two-dimensional time-dependent map view system of equations for at least flow momentum, flow height, suspended sediment concentration, and entrainment of overlying water, (b) calculating net sediment deposition at each map view location using the flow properties, (c) recording the time-variability of the net sediment deposition.

Method for evaluating sedimentary basin properties by numerical modeling of sedimentation processes

A method is disclosed for using a three-dimensional seismic image of a subsurface earth volume to construct a geologic model specifying the spatially-varying grain size distribution, porosity, and permeability throughout the volume. The method applies to earth volumes composed of water-lain clastic sedimentary deposits and involves, in one embodiment, (a) identifying the outline forms of geologic bodies in geologic data; (b) using the outline forms of the geologic bodies to determine the spatially-varying grain size distribution within the bodies, guided by assumptions about the nature and behavior of the paleoflow that deposited the bodies; (c) determining rock properties such as, porosity and permeability within the geologic bodies based on grain-size distribution, mineralogy and burial history information.

Geologic models of subsurface sedimentary volumes

The present invention is a method for predicting the grain size distribution at a designated location within a water-lain sedimentary deposit. Initially, the vertical thickness of the sedimentary deposit at the designated location must be determined, as well as the vertical thickness and grain size distribution at a second location different from the designated location. Second, a distance parameter corresponding to the two locations must be determined. Finally the distance parameter is used, along with the initially determined vertical thickness at both locations and the grain size distribution at the second location to calculate the grain size distribution at the designated location.

Method for predicting grain size distribution from reservoir thickness

The properties of a water-lain sediment body are determined from a measurement of grain size distribution and deposit thickness at one location in the body is disclosed. The flow properties at the measured location are determined, the flow properties are extrapolated back to the inlet through which the depositing flow was emitted, at least one property of the water-lain sediment throughout the sediment body is determined by modeling the flow properties using the extrapolated flow properties at the inlet as a boundary condition. The flow properties associated with the sediment body include flow velocity, suspended sediment volume fractions, deposition time, and flow height. The properties of the water-lain sediments include, in addition to the flow properties associated with deposition of the sediments, the thickness of the sediment body, the size of the body, the shape of the body, and the grain size distribution at each point within the body.

Method to determine properties of a sedimentary body from thickness and grain size distribution at a point within the body

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Houston, TX, United States of America

David Hoyal