DGMK 742

01.05.2016 - 30.04.2019

Prof. Dr. Leonhard Ganzer

The DGMK 742 project is a joint industry project that develops advanced technologies for increasing confidence in the predictive capability of reservoir simulation models. The DGMK 742 project has run for the last 8 years in two phases: Phase I (DGMK 742-1) ran from August 2011 to July 2014, and Phase II (DGMK 742-2) ran from May 2016 to April 2019. The aim of this project is to develop advanced techniques for calibrating reservoir simulation models to available observed data using the adjoint method. Also, algorithms and workflows are developed over the course of this project for improving reservoir characterization in reservoir simulation models with the adjoint method used for history matching.
In Phase I, an integrated workflow using state-of-the-art optimization techniques in combination with the adjoint method for history matching was developed. The developed history matching workflow based on the adjoint method was evaluated with tons of reservoir simulation models varying in reservoir heterogeneity complexities, well number and reservoir physics. Laudable feedbacks received from the project sponsors fueled the need for a Phase II. Phase I was supported by DEA Deutsche Erdoel AG, Neptune Energy and RAG Rohoel-Aufsuchungs Aktiengesellschaft. HOT FirmSoft Solutions FZ-LLC and SPT Group (Now called Schlumberger Information Solutions AS) were our research and development partners. In Phase II, a workflow based on the adjoint method was developed for improving reservoir characterization in reservoir simulation model lacking in key reservoir features. The developed workflow leveraged the power of the adjoint method in performing analytical sensitivity-based parameter modifications at grid-level to reveal hidden reservoir features like channels, faults, vertical communication etc.

• Awofodu D, Ganzer L, Almuallim H, Schellinger J. 2019. An Adjoint-based Method for Improving Reservoir Characterization during History Matching. Oil Gas European Magazine 3: OG126-OG135.
• Awofodu D, Ganzer L, Almuallim H. 2018. Revealing Hidden Reservoir Features During History Matching Using An Adjoint Method. ECMOR XVI – 16th European Conference on the Mathematics of Oil Recovery.
• Awofodu D, Ganzer L, Almuallim H. 2017. Enhancing Reservoir Understanding in Mature Fields: Adjoint-State Method Applied to a Semi-Synthetic Model. SPE Latin America and Caribbean Mature Fields Symposium (SPE-184951-MS).
• Awofodu D, Ganzer L, Almuallim H. 2016. An Evaluation of Grid-block-based Optimization Methods Applied to History Matching Workflows. Oil Gas European Magazine 4: OG201-OG206.