Combined migration method for basin modeling

Abstract

A method for modeling a migration of hydrocarbon fluids. The method may include decomposing, by operation of a processor, a domain of a basin model to produce a first plurality of cells having a permeability below a threshold value and a second plurality of cells having a permeability above the threshold value. A first migration analysis may be performed to analyze a relatively slow migration starting in the first plurality of cells. A second migration analysis may be performed to analyze a relatively faster migration starting m the second plurality of cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for modeling a migration of hydrocarbon fluids, comprising:
 decomposing, by operation of a processor, a domain of a basin model to produce a first plurality of cells having a permeability below a threshold value and a second plurality of cells having a permeability above the threshold value;   performing a first migration analysis to analyze a relatively slow migration starting in the first plurality of cells; and   performing a second migration analysis to analyze a relatively faster migration starting in the second plurality of cells.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a flow analyzed by the second migration analysis occurs instantaneously from a perspective of the first migration analysis. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the first migration analysis starting in the first and second pluralities of cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising performing the first migration analysis and the second migration analysis for a plurality of time steps. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first migration analysis comprises a Darcy Flow algorithm, and wherein the second migration analysis comprises an Invasion Percolation algorithm. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second migration analysis is not performed starting in the first plurality of cells. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of cells comprises a seal breakthrough through a layer comprising the first plurality of cells. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of cells comprises source rocks, shales, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of cells comprises reservoir rocks. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the threshold value is from about −3 log (mD) to about 3 log(mD). 
     
     
         11 . A computer readable medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed by a processor, are configured to cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 decomposing a domain of a basin model to produce a first plurality of cells having a permeability below a threshold value and a second plurality of cells having a permeability above the threshold value;   performing a Darcy Flow algorithm to analyze a relatively slow migration starting in the first plurality of cells; and   performing an Invasion Percolation algorithm to analyze a relatively faster migration starting in the second plurality of cells.   
     
     
         12 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise performing the Darcy Flow algorithm starting in the second plurality of cells. 
     
     
         13 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise performing the Invasion Percolation algorithm alter the Darcy Flow algorithm is performed. 
     
     
         14 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , further comprising performing the Darcy Flow algorithm starting in the first and second pluralities of cells. 
     
     
         15 . The computer readable medium of  claim 11 , wherein the second plurality of cells comprises a seal breakthrough through a layer comprising the first plurality of cells. 
     
     
         16 . A computing system, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory system comprising one or more computer readable media storing instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor, are configured to cause the computing system to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 decomposing a domain of a basin model to produce a first plurality of cells having a permeability below a threshold value and a second plurality of cells having a permeability above the threshold value; 
 performing a Darcy Flow algorithm to analyze a relatively slow migration starting in the first plurality of cells; and 
 performing an Invasion Percolation algorithm to analyze a relatively faster migration starting in the second plurality of cells. 
   
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise performing the Darcy Flow algorithm starting in the second plurality of cells. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the operations further comprise performing the Invasion Percolation algorithm after the Darcy Flow algorithm is performed. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the Darcy Flow algorithm and the Invasion Percolation algorithm are performed for a plurality of time steps. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 16 , wherein the second plurality of cells comprises a seal breakthrough through a layer comprising the first plurality of cells.