Title: Converting detail reservoir simulation models into effective reservoir management tools using SRMs; case study - three green fields in Saudi Arabia

Authors: Shahab D. Mohaghegh

Addresses: Intelligent Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 14, Morgantown, WV 26507, USA; Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, 26506, USA

Abstract: Reservoir management requires tools that can provide assessment of the field operation, at high speed and accuracy. Informed decision making requires comparison of a large number of scenarios, considering the uncertainties and risks, in a short period of time. To accomplish reservoir management tasks one must sacrifice either the accuracy or the speed. Numerical models provide accuracy but not at reasonable speed. Analytical techniques provide fast responses but fail to provide accuracy. Surrogate reservoir model (SRM) is developed to address this short coming in reservoir management. SRM replicates the functionalities of numerical model with high accuracy while running at fractions of a second. SRM is trained to learn the principles of fluid flow through porous media as applied to the complexities of the given reservoir, from the simulation model. Application of SRM to three green fields, with multi-million cells models, in Saudi Arabia is demonstrated in this manuscript. [Received: December 23, 2012; Accepted: April 30, 2013]

Keywords: surrogate reservoir modelling; reservoir simulation; reservoir management; surrogate reservoir models; SRM; Saudi Arabia; fluid flow; porous media.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2014.059284

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2014 Vol.7 No.2, pp.115 - 131

Received: 26 Dec 2012
Accepted: 30 Apr 2013
Published online: 24 May 2014 *

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