GEMINI (Geo-Engineering Modeling through INternet Informatics)

Kansas Geological Survey Open-file Report 2002-10

Geoinformatics

A. Opportunities in Geoinformatics.

Change exploration and production enterprise by utilization of large datasets

• provide new insights
• increase competiveness for companies and parties gaining from resource development
• better descriptive models:
  • less interpretation,
  • More robust models,
  • more predictive and portable models
• quantification of results to increase precision and accuracy of models and aid in effective design of engineering efforts

B. Issues in Geoinformatics

• Automated integration of disparate datasets Computer-driven data analysis and integration of results:
  • updating files
  • printing and downloading “on the fly”
  • popular exporting formats and report construction
• Accommodate multiple users
• Security
• Speed in transactions
• Adaptability of system to new hardware and software updates
• User friendly
• Robust - backup and archival support to preserve institutional knowledge

C. Geoinformatics concepts applied specific to GEMINI

• Well model defined as integrated well log analysis and well completion data viewed through integrated desktop (user screen - Java servelets).
• Geo-engineering model as iteratively refined and independently validated, quantitative description of 3-D reservoir volume (computer-assisted layering, gridding, volumetrics, and material balance to optimize simple reservoir characterization and drive mechanism.
• Develop robust input parameters for reservoir simulation to minimize or limit ad hoc modification of reservoir parameters.

D. Goals of GEMINI Project

• Develop simple validated petrophysical reservoir model.
• Define parameters for fluid flow reservoir simulation.
• Keep mature oil province (Midcontinent) competitive.

E. Engine behind GEMINI

Innovations in technology & refined concepts

• Keep Kansas competitive
• Incubate integrated Entrepreneurial teams
• Optimize time and funds
• Produce quantitative results
• Improve success

F. General Considerations behind Web-based Application

• Access to information and results (formats, server, network connectivity, number of users, flexibility, design of upload, download, and import/export)
• Application development and testing - prototyping involving geologist, engineer, and programmer
• Software release - follow programming standards for debugging, “help” documentation, tutorial
• Development - enhancement with additions and upgrading software and hardware

G. Why Geoinformatics in Reservoir Modeling?

Data bases incomplete and in multiple locations. Limited staff so data assembly limited

• Poorly known field conditions
  • Reservoirs often underproduced
  • Common bypassed reservoir layers
  • Unknown applications for new technologies
• Characterization is multiscaled problem and interdisciplinary in nature
  • Scales range from pore (type & fabric) to facies, bedding, structure, and diagenesis (12 orders of magnitude -- see panel to right)
  • Characterization is a 3-D problem
  • Defining, correlating, and distributing properties in layers is multivariate petrophysical and geo-engineering problem
  • Validation of petrophysical model a multidisciplined, iterative approach
  • Necessity to keep model simple and accessible vs. no modeling

e-mail : webadmin@kgs.ku.edu
Last updated March 2002
http://www.kgs.ku.edu/PRS/Poster/2002/2002-10/P1-03.html