Systems and Methods for Dynamic Real-Time Hydrocarbon Well Placement

Abstract

Provide are techniques for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir that include identifying a number of wells that can be drilled at a given point in time, providing corresponding parameters to a reservoir simulation process, and when the simulation process reaches simulation of the given point in time, the simulation identifying locations for the wells based on estimated properties for the given point in time, and running subsequent segments of the simulation process in accordance with the wells being drilled and operated in the identified locations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of developing a hydrocarbon reservoir, the method comprising:
 generating a dynamic well placement simulation of a hydrocarbon reservoir for a span of time (Δt) defined by a start time (t 1 ) and end time (t 2 ), the dynamic well placement simulation comprising:
 determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at a given point in time (t w ) within the span of time (Δt); 
 determining an initial reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the initial reservoir model comprising cells that represent the hydrocarbon reservoir and a corresponding set of initial properties for each of the cells; 
 conducting, using the initial reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a first segment of a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate a first segment reservoir properties, the first segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the start time (t 1 ) to the given point of time (t w ) that is conducted using the initial reservoir model, the first segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the given point of time (t w ) determined based on the first segment of the simulation; 
 identifying, based on the first segment reservoir properties, the number (N) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the given point of time (t w ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the given point of time (t w ); 
 generating, based on the columns of cells identified, a well-modified model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the well-modified model comprising the first segment reservoir properties associated with the cells and a new well located at each column of the columns of the cells identified; 
 conducting, using the well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate second segment reservoir properties, the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the given point of time (t w ) to the end time (t 2 ) that is conducted using the well-modified reservoir model, the second segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the end time (t 2 ) determined based on the second segment of the simulation; and 
 generating, based on the second segment reservoir properties, a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir for the span of time (Δt). 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at the given point in time (t) comprises conducting a financial assessment of the development of the hydrocarbon reservoir to determine the number (N) of wells to be drilled at the point in time (t). 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at the given point in time (t) comprises conducting a logistical assessment of the development of the hydrocarbon reservoir to determine the number (N) of wells to be drilled at the point in time (t). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a second number (N 2 ) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at a second given point in time (t w2 ) that is later than the given point in time (t) and earlier than the end time (t 2 );   the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising:
 identifying, based on the second segment reservoir properties and from columns of the cells, the second number (N 2 ) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the second given point of time (t w2 ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the given point of time (t w2 ); 
 conducting, using the well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a third segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate third segment reservoir properties, the third segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the given point in time (t w ) to the second given point of time (t w2 ) that is conducted using the well-modified reservoir model, the third segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the second given point of time (t w2 ) determined based on the third segment of the simulation; 
 identifying, based on the oil content of the cells of the third segment reservoir properties, the number (N 2 ) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the second given point of time (t w2 ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the second given point of time (t w2 ); 
 generating, based on the columns of cells identified, a second well-modified model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the second well-modified model comprising the third segment reservoir properties associated with the cells and a new well located at each of the columns of the cells identified for the second given point of time (t w2 ); and 
 conducting, using the second well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a fourth segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate fourth segment reservoir properties, the fourth segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the second given point of time (t w2 ) to the end time (t 2 ) that is conducted using the second well-modified reservoir model, the fourth segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the end time (t 2 ) determined based on the fourth segment of the simulation, 
 where the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprises the third and fourth segments of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir, and the second segment reservoir model corresponds to the fourth segment reservoir model. 
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the estimated properties for each of the cells at the given point of time (t w ) include an oil content of the cell at the given point of time (t w ). 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the column oil content of each of the columns of the cells at the given point of time (t w ) is defined by a sum of the volume of oil content of the cells in the column at the given point of time (t w ). 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating a field development plan (FDP) for the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying well drilling parameters based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir; and   drilling a well in the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the well drilling parameters.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 identifying well operating parameters based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir; and   operating a well in the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the well operating parameters.   
     
     
         10 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that are executable by a processor to perform the following operations for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir:
 generating a dynamic well placement simulation of a hydrocarbon reservoir for a span of time (Δt) defined by a start time (t 1 ) and end time (t 2 ), the dynamic well placement simulation comprising:
 determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at a given point in time (t w ) within the span of time (Δt); 
 determining an initial reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the initial reservoir model comprising cells that represent the hydrocarbon reservoir and a corresponding set of initial properties for each of the cells; 
 conducting, using the initial reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a first segment of a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate a first segment reservoir properties, the first segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the start time (t 1 ) to the given point of time (t w ) that is conducted using the initial reservoir model, the first segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the given point of time (t w ) determined based on the first segment of the simulation; 
 identifying, based on the first segment reservoir properties, the number (N) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the given point of time (t w ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the given point of time (t w ); 
 generating, based on the columns of cells identified, a well-modified model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the well-modified model comprising the first segment reservoir properties associated with the cells and a new well located at each column of the columns of the cells identified; 
 conducting, using the well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate second segment reservoir properties, the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the given point of time (t w ) to the end time (t 2 ) that is conducted using the well-modified reservoir model, the second segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the end time (t 2 ) determined based on the second segment of the simulation; and 
 generating, based on the second segment reservoir properties, a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir for the span of time (Δt). 
   
     
     
         11 . The medium of  claim 10 , wherein determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at the given point in time (t) comprises conducting a financial assessment of the development of the hydrocarbon reservoir to determine the number (N) of wells to be drilled at the point in time (t). 
     
     
         12 . The medium of  claim 10 , wherein determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at the given point in time (t) comprises conducting a logistical assessment of the development of the hydrocarbon reservoir to determine the number (N) of wells to be drilled at the point in time (t). 
     
     
         13 . The medium of  claim 10 , the operations further comprising:
 determining a second number (N 2 ) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at a second given point in time (t w2 ) that is later than the given point in time (t) and earlier than the end time (t 2 );   the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising:
 identifying, based on the second segment reservoir properties and from columns of the cells, the second number (N 2 ) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the second given point of time (t w2 ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the given point of time (t w2 ); 
 conducting, using the well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a third segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate third segment reservoir properties, the third segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the given point in time (t w ) to the second given point of time (t w2 ) that is conducted using the well-modified reservoir model, the third segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the second given point of time (t w2 ) determined based on the third segment of the simulation; 
 identifying, based on the oil content of the cells of the third segment reservoir properties, the number (N 2 ) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the second given point of time (t w2 ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the second given point of time (t w2 ); 
 generating, based on the columns of cells identified, a second well-modified model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the second well-modified model comprising the third segment reservoir properties associated with the cells and a new well located at each of the columns of the cells identified for the second given point of time (t w2 ); and 
 conducting, using the second well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a fourth segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate fourth segment reservoir properties, the fourth segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the second given point of time (t w2 ) to the end time (t 2 ) that is conducted using the second well-modified reservoir model, the fourth segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the end time (t 2 ) determined based on the fourth segment of the simulation, 
 where the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprises the third and fourth segments of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir, and the second segment reservoir model corresponds to the fourth segment reservoir model. 
   
     
     
         14 . The medium of  claim 10 , wherein the estimated properties for each of the cells at the given point of time (t w ) include an oil content of the cell at the given point of time (t w ). 
     
     
         15 . The medium of  claim 10 , wherein the column oil content of each of the columns of the cells at the given point of time (t w ) is defined by a sum of the volume of oil content of the cells in the column at the given point of time (t w ). 
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 10 , the operations further comprising generating a field development plan (FDP) for the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         17 . The medium of  claim 10 , the operations further comprising:
 identifying well drilling parameters based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir; and   drilling a well in the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the well drilling parameters.   
     
     
         18 . The medium of  claim 10 , the operations further comprising:
 identifying well operating parameters based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir; and   operating a well in the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the well operating parameters.   
     
     
         19 . A hydrocarbon reservoir development system comprising:
 a hydrocarbon reservoir control system comprising non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon that are executable by a processor to perform the following operations for developing a hydrocarbon reservoir:   generating a dynamic well placement simulation of a hydrocarbon reservoir for a span of time (Δt) defined by a start time (t 1 ) and end time (t 2 ), the dynamic well placement simulation comprising:
 determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at a given point in time (t w ) within the span of time (Δt); 
 determining an initial reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the initial reservoir model comprising cells that represent the hydrocarbon reservoir and a corresponding set of initial properties for each of the cells; 
 conducting, using the initial reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a first segment of a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate a first segment reservoir properties, the first segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the start time (t 1 ) to the given point of time (t w ) that is conducted using the initial reservoir model, the first segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the given point of time (t w ) determined based on the first segment of the simulation; 
 identifying, based on the first segment reservoir properties, the number (N) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the given point of time (t w ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the given point of time (t w ); 
 generating, based on the columns of cells identified, a well-modified model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the well-modified model comprising the first segment reservoir properties associated with the cells and a new well located at each column of the columns of the cells identified; 
 conducting, using the well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate second segment reservoir properties, the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the given point of time (t w ) to the end time (t 2 ) that is conducted using the well-modified reservoir model, the second segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the end time (t 2 ) determined based on the second segment of the simulation; and 
 generating, based on the second segment reservoir properties, a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir for the span of time (Δt). 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at the given point in time (t) comprises conducting a financial assessment of the development of the hydrocarbon reservoir to determine the number (N) of wells to be drilled at the point in time (t). 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein determining a number (N) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at the given point in time (t) comprises conducting a logistical assessment of the development of the hydrocarbon reservoir to determine the number (N) of wells to be drilled at the point in time (t). 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 19 , the operations further comprising:
 determining a second number (N 2 ) of wells to be drilled into the hydrocarbon reservoir at a second given point in time (t w2 ) that is later than the given point in time (t) and earlier than the end time (t 2 );   the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising:
 identifying, based on the second segment reservoir properties and from columns of the cells, the second number (N 2 ) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the second given point of time (t w2 ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the given point of time (t w2 ); 
 conducting, using the well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a third segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate third segment reservoir properties, the third segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the given point in time (t w ) to the second given point of time (t w2 ) that is conducted using the well-modified reservoir model, the third segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the second given point of time (t w2 ) determined based on the third segment of the simulation; 
 identifying, based on the oil content of the cells of the third segment reservoir properties, the number (N 2 ) of columns of the cells that have the highest column oil content at the second given point of time (t w2 ) and that do not have a well located in the column at the second given point of time (t w2 ); 
 generating, based on the columns of cells identified, a second well-modified model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, the second well-modified model comprising the third segment reservoir properties associated with the cells and a new well located at each of the columns of the cells identified for the second given point of time (t w2 ); and 
 conducting, using the second well-modified reservoir model of the hydrocarbon reservoir, a fourth segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir to generate fourth segment reservoir properties, the fourth segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprising a simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir from the second given point of time (t w2 ) to the end time (t 2 ) that is conducted using the second well-modified reservoir model, the fourth segment reservoir properties comprising estimated properties for the cells at the end time (t 2 ) determined based on the fourth segment of the simulation, 
 where the second segment of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir comprises the third and fourth segments of the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir, and the second segment reservoir model corresponds to the fourth segment reservoir model. 
   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the estimated properties for each of the cells at the given point of time (t w ) include an oil content of the cell at the given point of time (t w ). 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the column oil content of each of the columns of the cells at the given point of time (t w ) is defined by a sum of the volume of oil content of the cells in the column at the given point of time (t w ). 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 19 , the operations further comprising generating a field development plan (FDP) for the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 19 , the operations further comprising:
 identifying well drilling parameters based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir; and   drilling a well in the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the well drilling parameters.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 19 , the operations further comprising:
 identifying well operating parameters based on the simulation of the hydrocarbon reservoir; and   operating a well in the hydrocarbon reservoir based on the well operating parameters.