Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Cameron International Corporation

Exxonmobil Technology and Engineering Company

Hao Bin Huang

Gauthier D Becker

Rodrick Myers

Jing Wan

Sha Miao

Matthias Imhof

Bruce A Dale

Jay Patrick Painter

Xiaohui Wu

Kevin Peter Minnock

Kyle Sommerfeld

Sheng-Yuan Hsu

Larisa V Branets

Dar-Lon Chang

Timothy K Ellison

Yifei Xu

Jon M Wallace

Marcus Asmann

Thomas C Halsey

Guo-Shi Li

Colin J Lyttle

Baojiu Lin

Priyesh Srivastava

Aakash S Bhowmick

Xiang Ma

Huafei Sun

Leonel A Gomez Torres

Geologic modeling methods and systems disclosed herein employ fault face parameterization to constrain and improve the transformation of a faulted physical space geologic model into an unfaulted depositional space geologic model. An illustrative embodiment includes: associating a seismic image with each face of at least one fault in a subsurface region; determining a correspondence map between the seismic images for said at least one fault; parameterizing the faces using the correspondence map to match parameter value assignments for corresponding portions of the faces; creating a displacement map that draws together matching parameter values to align the corresponding portions of the faces; applying the displacement map to the geologic model to create a design space model; modifying the design space model; applying the displacement map in reverse to the modified design space model to obtain a modified geologic model; and outputting the modified geologic model.

Geologic modeling methods and systems having constrained restoration of depositional space

Geologic modeling methods and systems disclosed herein employ an improved simulation gridding technique. For example, an illustrative geologic modeling method may comprise: obtaining a geologic model representing a faulted subsurface region in physical space; mapping the physical space geologic model to a design space model representing an unfaulted subsurface region; gridding the design space model to obtain a design space mesh; partitioning cells in the design space mesh with faults mapped from the physical space geologic model, thereby obtaining a partitioned design space mesh; mapping the partitioned design space mesh to the physical space to obtain a physical space simulation mesh; and outputting the physical space simulation mesh.

Method and system for generating simulation grids by mapping a grid from the design space

Geologic modeling methods and systems disclosed herein employ an improved simulation meshing technique. One or more illustrative geologic modeling methods may comprise: obtaining a geologic model representing a faulted subsurface region in physical space; providing a set of background cells that encompass one or more partial faults within the subsurface region; defining a pseudo-extension from each unterminated edge of said one or more partial faults to a boundary of a corresponding background cell in said set; using the pseudo-extensions and the background cell boundaries to partition the subsurface region into sub-regions; deriving a simulation mesh in each sub-region based on the horizons in each sub-region; and outputting the simulation mesh.

Methods and systems for simulation gridding with partial faults

An illustrative geologic modeling method may comprise: obtaining a geologic model representing a subsurface region in physical space, the subsurface region being divided into multiple zones; sequentially generating a physical space simulation mesh for each of said multiple zones by: (a) mapping a current zone of the physical space geologic model to a current zone of a design space model representing a current zone of an unfaulted subsurface region; (b) gridding the design space model to obtain a design space mesh; (c) partitioning cells in the current zone of the design space mesh with faults mapped from the current zone of the physical space geologic model, thereby obtaining a partitioned design space mesh for the current zone; and (d) reverse mapping the partitioned design space mesh for the current zone to the physical space for the current zone.

Methods and systems for generating simulation grids via zone by zone mapping from design space

Disclosed herein are geologic modeling methods and systems employing function-based representations of horizons intersected by partial faults. An illustrative method embodiment includes: (a) obtaining a seismic image volume; (b) identifying a horizon within the seismic image volume, said horizon being intersected by a partial fault; (c) deriving a function-based representation of the horizon, the representation being continuous except across the partial fault; (e) constructing a watertight subsurface model using the function-based representation; (f) assigning petrophysical parameter values to compartments of the watertight subsurface model; and, optionally, (g) storing or displaying the watertight subsurface model.

Methods and systems for modeling subsurfaces containing partial faults

A method for modeling a subsurface reservoir system, the method including: generating, with a computer, a background mesh that does not honor at least one subsurface feature included in the subsurface reservoir system; splitting, with a computer, the background mesh along the subsurface feature included in the subsurface reservoir system such that a resulting mesh honors a geometry of the subsurface features; identifying, with a computer, element faces or edges where the resulting mesh is non-conforming and/or the element faces or edges lie on subsurface features; and performing a computer-based numerical simulation utilizing the resulting mesh to model at least one fluid-related or geomechanical reservoir response, wherein mass or traction balance is enforced on the identified element faces or edges.

Nitsche continuity enforcement for non-conforming meshes

Methods and systems for modeling and predicting fractures within the subsurface region are provided. The methods and systems use multi-layer models to represent stacks of layered rocks, which are used to evaluate shear tractions caused by the relatively higher lateral strains in a more compliant overlying or underlying adjacent layers. As the lateral strains can induce tensional stresses in the brittle layers that can exceed the rocks tensile strength and fail, the formation of natural fractures may be modeled. Accordingly, the method and system model fractures due to stacking using mechanical rock property information from well logs and simulating the farfield loading conditions using basin history.

Method and system for stacking fracture prediction

A method and system are described for creating a subsurface model and using the subsurface model in hydrocarbon operations. In the method and systems, a global model and one or more local models are obtained. A simulation is performed with the global model to generate global deformation results. The global deformation results are used to determine boundary conditions for the one or more local models. The one or more local models are simulated to generate local deformation results which include fracture characterization for the local model. The global model may or may not be updated based on the local deformation results from the simulation of the local model.

Method and system for forming and using a subsurface model in hydrocarbon operations

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.

Method and system for characterizing fractures in a subsurface region

An embodiment of a tubing or casing hanger seal assembly includes a first carrier ring, a first energizing ring coupled to the first carrier ring and configured to set a first seal of the seal assembly in response to the application of a first load to the seal assembly, and a first lock ring configured to secure the first seal to the tubing or casing hanger in response to the application of the first load to the seal assembly, wherein the first carrier ring and the first lock ring include corresponding angled engagement profiles for providing a radial force against the first lock ring relative a central axis of the seal assembly in response to the application of the first load to the seal assembly.

Wellhead assembly and method

A method and system are described for generating a geologic model having material properties for a faulted subsurface region. The method and system involve parameterizing corresponding fault surfaces and solving an energy optimization equation and/or conservation law equation for the corresponding fault surfaces based on parameterized nodes on the fault surfaces to generate a displacement map. The displacement map is used to map a geologic model from the physical space to the design space, where it is populated with material properties. The resulting populated geologic model may be used for hydrocarbon operations associated with the subsurface region.

Managing discontinuities in geologic models

A packoff and a locking assembly installed in a bore of a wellhead component are provided. In one embodiment, a packoff includes inner and outer annular seals and an energizing ring shaped to be wedged between the inner and outer annular seals so as to apply a radially inward biasing force on the inner annular seal and a radially outward biasing force on the outer annular seal. In another embodiment, a locking assembly includes a lock ring that extends into a recess in a wall of the bore of the wellhead component and an actuator radially disposed between an inner component within the bore and the lock ring to retain the lock ring within the recess. The actuator can have an interference fit with the inner component to inhibit movement of the actuator between the lock ring and the inner component. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Lock ring and packoff for wellhead

Methods for creating and using discretized physics-based models of subsurface regions, which may contain a hydrocarbon reservoir or other subsurface feature(s). The methods may include selecting a pre-solved model, applying a mesh to the pre-solved model, defining the shape of the subsurface region to be modeled, and transforming the pre-solved model, to which the mesh has been applied, to the shape of the subsurface region. In some methods, the pre-solved model is an idealized model. In some methods, the mesh is applied to a solution of potential field lines associated with the pre-solved model, and in some methods, the solution of potential field lines is a composite solution of a plurality of solutions of potential field lines. In some methods, one or more supershapes are used to define the shape of the subsurface region. In some methods, a hyperelastic strain deformation calculation is utilized for the transforming.

Discretized physics-based models and simulations of subterranean regions, and methods for creating and using the same

A method for modeling a reservoir response in a subsurface system is provided. The subsurface system has at least one subsurface feature. Preferably, the subsurface system comprises a hydrocarbon reservoir. The method includes defining physical boundaries for the subsurface system, and locating the at least one subsurface feature within the physical boundaries. The method also includes creating a finite element mesh within the physical boundaries. The finite element mesh may have elements that cross the at least one subsurface feature such that the subsurface feature intersects elements in the mesh. A computer-based numerical simulation is then performed wherein the effects of the subsurface feature are recognized in the response. The reservoir response may be, for example, pore pressure or displacement at a given location within the physical boundaries.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Hao Bin Huang