Breaking the Chain, Novel Use of Adaptive Model Approach for Reservoir Modelling Reduces Time Duration of Project and Improves Collaboration

Abstract

This paper details how the reservoir modelling workflow can be accelerated, and uncertainty reduced even for challenging Green Field prospects by constructing multiple small fit for purpose integrated adaptive models instead of just one all-encompassing model. Adaptive models are models built with a single purpose as compared to more conventional reservoir models which are designed to be flexible and be used for multiple purposes. By only having a single task, these adaptive models can be built more quickly and since they are used as tool, not the product, they do not need to be reviewed. Multiple different adaptive models are built to handle different questions ranging from production data QC, different facies models going through to local history matches. As the study progresses, these adaptive models can be combined to consider multiple components and their influence on each other to ensure compatibility and to possibly feed information to the modeling effort for the full field model. As the project finalizes, these adaptive models work like jigsaw pieces to come together to create the finalized picture/model. In the application of adaptive models within an integrated reservoir study, the most obvious benefit is being able to complete the static and dynamic aspects of the model building in parallel and subsequently be able to move more quickly to the deployment of the model for placing wells. Another key benefit was that it was possible to evaluate and defend new concepts or methods in reservoir modeling. Integrating new components into an existing modeling doctrine is challenging as significant time has to be expended and this has to be justified in advance of knowing the impact of the new item. With adaptive models, it is possible to evaluate out of doctrine ideas in parallel and off critical path. If the results are positive, the adaptive model is available to justify the benefit of the change and to also act as a comparison to the result following the doctrine. This innovative workflow enables more efficient working by reducing the number of items on the critical path while simultaneously improving integration by enabling static and dynamic data to be integrated before the static model is finalized. In addition, this approach is a driver for innovation as it enables new ideas to be evaluated more rapidly and without having to impact the critical path of the project.