A Real-Time Modeling and UQ Toolbox for Complex Subsurface Characterization

Most of future oil and gas exploration and production will be moving into more challenging environments and directional drilling is an essential technique for tapping the “difficult” oil and gas deposits. The goal of directional drilling is to increase production, reduce cost and minimize environmental impacts during and after drilling. Successful directional drilling jobs depend on accurate and fast modeling algorithms, which simulate well logging tool responses, to keep the wellbore in a hydrocarbon pay zone. Simulating logging tool responses and characterizing subsurface structures in complex underground environments can be prohibitively expensive. This project will provide a low-cost and high-performance solution for the forward modeling problem by hardening the UQTk library developed by DOE. The related research will impact DOE Office of Fossil Energy by directly addressing the mission to ensure responsible development of America’s oil and gas resources. Under this proposal, Cyentech will develop a modeling and UQ tool box that provides proactive guidance for real-time well placement planning and well trajectory adjustment while drilling. Cyentech propose to accomplish the above goal through hardening the UQTk library, developed by the DOE FASTMath SciDAC institute. During the Phase I project, we will validate the feasibility of using UQTk to generate surrogates for modeling of well logging tools and characterizing subsurface formation in real time, build a workflow to automate the proactive directional drilling process, design a framework for web-based GUI to support ubiquitous computing, and test the system on field data. If the project succeeds, it will lead to a commercial software product for efficient directional drilling services. The product would significantly improve the performance of the oil field production, reduce non-drilling time, and cut the drilling cost. This product will also help medium and small size independent oilfield service companies and drilling tool manufacturers of the U.S. to enter the more advanced and lucrative global directional drilling market.