Well placement optimization and geological uncertainty quantification without the need for flow simulation.
Rank development scenarios in a fraction of the time required by a conventional simulation.
Evaluate hundreds of well combinations and geological models directly on the fine grid, with no upscaling and no loss of heterogeneity.
Faster development decisions: ranking of well/model combinations at a dramatically reduced timescale, enabling analyses that would be infeasible through conventional numerical simulation.
Direct geological uncertainty quantification: work with multiple geological models simultaneously, generating P10, P50, and P90 statistics on the relative recovery of each scenario.
Automated integration between reservoir modeling and 4D seismic.
LINK-WellOpt is a native Petrel® plug-in that supports reservoir engineers and geologists in the optimization of field development strategy, ranking combinations of well placements and geological scenarios based on expected recovery, without the need to run conventional flow simulations.
The decision of where to place wells under geological uncertainty is traditionally handled through exhaustive numerical simulations, which become prohibitively expensive as the number of geological scenarios and well combinations grows. LINK-WellOpt solves this problem using an analytical approach based on the efficient calculation of per well drainage volumes, producing results highly correlated with those of a numerical simulation in a fraction of the computational time.
The tool acts as a bridge between the geological model and the simulation model, allowing the modeler to understand the dynamic impact of the static model on cumulative recovery before advancing to more expensive stages of the workflow.
The plug-in is developed in partnership with Kelkar & Associates Inc., based in Tulsa, USA.
LINK-WellOpt operates directly on geological models available in Petrel projects, at either fine or coarse scale, and delivers both qualitative (3D visualizations) and quantitative outputs (tables, plots, and rankings). Core capabilities include:
Efficient drainage volume calculation via Fast Marching Method (FMM): The algorithm computes the Diffusive Time of Flight (DTOF) across the entire reservoir using the Fast Marching Method, a numerical technique that captures pressure wave propagation far more efficiently than conventional simulations. From the DTOF, the module determines the drainage volume of each well considering the actual production schedule.
Flow rate and recovery estimation via semi-analytical approximation: Based on the computed drainage volumes, the program estimates the flow rate and cumulative recovery of each well using a semi-analytical geometric approximation of pressure and rate transients. This approach captures the primary depletion phenomenon particularly well.
Handling of geometrically complex reservoirs: Capability of processing structurally complex reservoirs with faulted corner point geometry, heterogeneous media, and arbitrary well architectures (vertical, horizontal, and combinations).
Operation on high resolution models without upscaling: LINK-WellOpt's central differentiator is its ability to process high resolution geological models directly, with no need for upscaling. Execution time scales linearly (not quadratically) with grid size, enabling analyses on fine models that would be infeasible in simulation based workflows.
Geological uncertainty quantification: For each model/well combination analyzed, the module generates a complete statistical summary, including the P10, P50, and P90 models of relative recovery, presented in box-and-whisker plots and cross plots, ready to support field development decisions.
Integrated optimization workflow: From the geological scenarios and well combinations defined by the user, the module sequentially executes the DTOF calculation, the determination of drainage volumes, the estimation of flow rates, and the generation of the final ranking per well/model combination.
Petrel integrated inputs and outputs: Inputs: reservoir model, fault transmissibility model, rock and fluid compressibility, viscosity, relative permeability, well location, perforation schedule, and well combinations to evaluate.
Outputs: drainage volume, block contribution, Diffusive Time of Flight, scatter plots and box-whisker plots of relative recovery, and productivity index per well.
The rankings generated by LINK-WellOpt have been compared with conventional finite difference simulators across multiple case studies, demonstrating consistent linear relationships and high correlation coefficients between the two methods, with LINK-WellOpt delivering the same qualitative results in a fraction of the computational time.
Commercial licensing via SLB Ocean Store, with direct technical support from the engineering teams at DeepSoft and Kelkar & Associates.