Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Martin Perlmutter

Tao Sun

Michael James Pyrcz

Morgan David Sullivan

Ashley D Harris

Jacob Covault

Depth-averaged flow simulation systems and methods provided herein employ parameterized templates for dynamical depth profiling for at least one step of a simulation. In one illustrative computer-based embodiment, the simulation method includes, for each map point at one given time step: determining a flow template and a sediment concentration template based on depth-averaged flow velocity and depth-averaged sediment concentrations of different classes of grain size for that map point; employing the templates to construct a vertically-distributed flow velocity profile and vertically-distributed sediment concentration profiles for associated classes of grain size for that map point, thereby obtaining 3D flow velocity and 3D sediment concentration fields; using the 3D fields to calculate fluid and sediment fluxes; updating the flow velocity and sediment concentration profiles based on the divergence of the fluxes; integrating the profiles to compute updated depth-averaged flow velocity and sediment concentrations and center of gravity; and solving the depth-averaged flow equations for the next time step.

Sediment transport simulation with parameterized templates for depth profiling

A new gridding method is disclosed for forward stratigraphic modeling that allows for syndepositional and/or postdepositional fault movement. The new gridding algorithm may represent both the lateral move of structure block, and provide efficiency that is comparable to the structured grid for forward stratigraphy model accessing previous deposited sediments stored in the grid. Embodiments of the disclosed methods allow for structural moves by performing a set of simple operations on the grid. The operations are generally simple, and do not change the overall topology of the grid. Therefore the operation can be easily repeated and the overall topological structure of the grid remains largely unchanged for simple access by the forward stratigraphic model. Further details and advantages of various embodiments of the method are described in more herein.

Method of stratigraphic modeling of faults

Disclosed is a method and system for identifying simulated basin results and associated input parameter values for simulation of geographic basins by a stratigraphic forward model simulation program that are most likely to represent the actual basin by treating inputs and outputs of the stratigraphic forward model simulation program in a unified manner. An embodiment may calculate probability distributions for input parameters and validation data, and calculate likelihoods of simulated basins as a combination of the combination of the probabilities of the input parameters used to create the simulated basin and of the combination of the probabilities simulation validation results of the simulated basin. An embodiment may then select most likely simulation model result basins based on the results having a higher calculated likelihood. The most likely simulated basins may be used for analysis of exploration and/or production decisions without the need for additional, expensive testing on the actual basin.

Methodology for building realistic numerical forward stratigraphic models in data sparse environment

A system for and computer implemented method for analysis of data representative of subsurface properties of a subsurface region. The method includes transforming the data representative of subsurface properties of the subsurface region into transformed data in accordance with a selected criterion. A three dimensional window geometry to be applied to the transformed data is selected, based, at least in part, on expected feature sizes present, data sampling density and a size of the subsurface region. A plurality of values for a three dimensional lacunarity statistic are calculated by applying the selected three dimensional window geometry to randomly selected regions of the subsurface region, and correlating the calculated values to the subsurface properties of the subsurface region.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Martin Perlmutter