Petrel 2018

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Reservoir Geomechanics Fundamentals

Module 5: Petrel Reservoir Geomechanics

© 2018 Schlumberger. All rights reserved.

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An asterisk is used throughout this presentation to denote a mark of Schlumberger.
Other company, product, and service names are the properties of their respective
owners.
Learning objectives

After completing this module, you will know how to:

 describe the processes involved in running Petrel RG

successfully

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 model materials around the reservoir to describe the far field

stresses better
 couple the reservoir simulation results to the geomechanical

model of the field

 use VISAGE for the geomechanical simulation

 analyze the geomechanical simulation results

Understand Finite Element Method (FEM)
FEM Grid
1. Deformation compatibility
 Good grid
 No bad cells

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2. Constitutive relation
 Young’s modulus
 Poisson’s ratio
…

Infinite continuous material

3. Equilibrium condition
 Boundary condition
Finite mesh
Overall Petrel RG workflow
Petrel Model or New Project Reservoir Simulation Model

Create Geomechanics Grid

Create materials and Functions

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Populate Properties
Model Discontinuities:
Define Pressures, Faults and DFNs
Temperatures, and Saturation

Define Boundary Conditions

Define and Submit

Simulation Case
One-Way Coupling Two-Way Coupling
VISAGE VISAGE ECLIPSE
Import Results from
VISAGE

Results Visualization and Analysis

Petrel RG workflow (1)

The eight key processes in Petrel RG are:

 Make/edit geomechanical grid

 Material modeling

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 Populate properties

 Discontinuity modeling (optional)

 Define pressures temperatures and saturation conditions

 Define boundary conditions

 Define RG simulation case

 Results charting for postprocessing of simulation results

Petrel RG workflow (2)

Workflow is concurrent. The next step in the workflow is

enabled only when specific conditions are met in the current
process.

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Lesson 1: Make new/edit geomechanical grid
Create an embedded grid

In the Make/edit geomechanical grid process you can

 create new geomechanical pillar grid models

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 add overburden, underburden, and sideburden grid cells to an
existing reservoir grid
 construct grid cells according to numeric constraints or by
mapping to existing horizons or surfaces in the geological model
Any local grid refinements (Cartesian) identified in the grid are
recognized and mapped to the new grid using an offset based on
the number of cells used to embed the model.
Data types for a 3D Mechanical Earth Model (MEM)

These data types can be used to perform a coupled simulation:

 Geological horizons interpreted from the seismic cube

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 Geological faults interpreted from a seismic cube
 ECLIPSE reservoir simulation case and results
 1D MEM
Make a new or edit an embedded grid

With Make/edit geomechanical grid, you can

 create a new embedded grid

 edit an existing embedded grid

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 define sideburden grids

 define overburden grids

 define underburden grids

 specify a rotation angle, if necessary

 apply a plate to the grid

Embed a model

The process of embedding a model involves

 taking the pre-embedded model
 adding the specified burdens to it

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 creating a new pillar grid that contains the new embedded model
These aspects of the pre-embedded model can be copied to the new
embedded grid:
 zones
 segments
 properties
Important general rules

The general rules for creating geomechanical grids require that the model
is relatively thick so that the stress model does not buckle significantly.
The recommended model aspect ratio (horizontal to vertical) should be no

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greater than 3:1.
For example, 1 km deep for every 3 km of horizontal extent.
This ratio can create models that are seemingly much deeper than the
data suggests. The extra material is considered bedrock and often is
defined as a stiff underburden.
Create a simple grid as input

You can create a simple input grid using standard Petrel

processes.
The grid that results should be free from bad cells so that it is

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suitable for use in other workflow stages, except for two-way
coupling.
Make new/edit embedded grid
First step in workflow, create and edit
 sideburdens
 overburden

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 underburden
Sideburden (1)

 Must specify how sideburden grids are to be generated; must

enter extension settings
 Extension settings in two sections:

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- In the I direction for generating the I sideburden grid cells
- In the J direction
for generating the
J sideburden grid
cells
Sideburden (2)

The sideburden settings are grouped into five columns:

 No. of cells

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 Method
 Value
 Variation
 Factor
Sideburden (3)
No. of cells
Dictates how many sideburden cells are to be created in I and J
directions.
If zero is entered, no cells are created in the relevant

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sideburden direction.
Sideburden (4)
Method and Value
 Both control how sideburden cells are generated
 Grid is extended by the distance indicated in the Value field.
 Two extension methods:

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 Extend by

 Multiply by
Sideburden (5)
Method and Value
 Extend by: The grid is extended by the distance indicated in the
Value field and subdivided into the number of divisions indicated
in the No. of cells field

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 Multiply by: The grid is extended by multiples of the current size
in the appropriate
direction. In this
case, the Value
entry dictates a
multiplicative factor
of the size.
Sideburden (6)
Variation and Factor
 Both control the size of the individual grid cells created by the embed
process.
 Variation can be set to Equal sizes (Proportional) or Geometric factor.

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 When Equal sizes is selected, the Factor field is dimmed because it is
not applicable for this setting. With Equal sizes, the total extension size
is divided equally
among the number of
created cells.
Sideburden (7)
Variation and Factor
When Variation is set to Geometric factor, the size of the cells
follows a geometric progression
The Factor field then gives the factor f such that the intervals

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are in the ratios 1: f2 : f3 … fn.
Sideburden (8)
Stiff plates
 To ensure that the load is applied uniformly to the embedded grid, a
series of stiff plates can be created as an additional cell around the
sideburden.

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 When selected, an extra cell is added around the sideburden.
 By default, a plate thickness equivalent to one percent of the size of
the embedded grid up to a maximum of fifty meters is calculated and
displayed automatically.
Sideburden (9)
Rotation effects
 In general, burden cells created during the embed process are created
so that they are aligned to the principal axis.
 If the original grid was rotated away from the principal axis, the

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connection between burden cells and reservoir cells can appear
disjointed.
 To compensate for any such rotation, it is possible to apply a horizontal
rotation angle to the generated burden cells so that there is a better
alignment between them and the original reservoir cells. The rotation
angle can be set using the horizontal Rotation angle field or calculated
automatically using the Calculate angle from grid button.
Sideburden (10)
Rotation effects
If a grid has a rotation associated with it, the Rotation angle
field is populated automatically when the Make/edit
embedded grid process is opened while that grid is active.

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Sideburden (11)
Rotation effects

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Overburden and underburden (1)

 The overburden or underburden can be created by using the

extension settings similar to those on the Sideburden tab.
 They can be extended to a specific depth that you enter instead

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of multiplying by a specific factor.
 Horizon maps also can be used by selecting the Map horizons
check box on the Underburden tab or the Overburden tab.
 If the Petrel model has defined the overburdens and
underburdens correctly, you do not need to add sideburdens,
overburdens, or underburdens. In this case, the Zero embedding
button is activated.
Overburden and underburden (2)

Horizon maps
used for
overburden
horizons control

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Grid quality control

 For a geomechanics simulation to be performed correctly, the cells of the

simulation grid must have volumes greater than or equal to zero and should
be convex.

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 All grid cells that do not meet these
criteria are considered bad.
 A reservoir geomechanics simulation
cannot be performed on a grid that
contains bad cells. All bad cells must be
fixed first or a new grid generated before simulation can continue.
 When embedding the grid, an automatic quality control check is performed
that looks for bad cells. When bad cells are found during the embed process,
a dialog box appears showing your options.
Exercise 1: Make and edit an embedded grid

In this exercise, you go through the workflow of making and

editing an embedded grid to make it ready for processing.
Load the Gulfaks_start Petrel project and follow the instructions

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in the training manual.
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Lesson 2: Material modeling process
Material modeling process (1)

After creating embedded grids to be used in geomechanical

simulation, the next stage is to model the materials in the grids
that were just created.

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The Material modeling process allows you to
 create the materials that describe different types of rock (or
other geomechanical materials)
 set up associated parameters such as Young's Modulus,
Poisson's ratio, and Bulk Density.
Material modeling process (2)

 A material basically is a collection of named parameters.

 Parameters are assigned to regions of the model.

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 These material values are important inputs for
geomechanical simulation later.
 Materials are defined by Elasticity models and Yield criteria:
- Elasticity model: Describes the linear behavior of the material
- Yield criteria: Describes the material behavior after failure
Material modeling process (3)

In Petrel RG, two types of materials can be used:

 Intact rock materials: Described based on a range of
elasticity models and yield criteria

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 Discontinuity materials: Materials assigned to faults and
fractures; described based on stiffness, strength parameters,
and spacing
Material modeling process (4)

Materials can be stored under two headings:

 Project materials: Represent the materials used within a

specific Petrel project; usable only from within the project

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that created them
 Library materials: Represent materials that are usable across

Petrel projects. Any library material is usable from any

project using the Reservoir geomechanics module.
Create intact rock material (1)

1. Click Create material.

2. Select Intact rock material as
the Material type.

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3. For Elasticity model, select the
model that best represents
the material.
4. On the Elasticity model
properties tab, enter the
elasticity properties of the
material.
Create intact rock material (2)

5. Select the Yield criteria.

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Create/edit elasticity model properties

On the Elasticity model properties tab, enter the relevant

Elasticity properties for the material.

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Create/edit discontinuity materials

1. Click Create material.

2. Select Discontinuity material
as the Material type.

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3. Select a Fault or a Fracture as
the Discontinuity type.
Create/edit discontinuity properties

On the Discontinuity properties tab, enter the relevant Fault

or DFN properties.

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Material modeling process

When the materials are created,

you can send them to the library
to use for the project.

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Create and edit functions

Use the Create/edit function tab to create these two types of functions to
use in other Reservoir Geomechanics processes.
 Property updating functions: Enable VISAGE to update geomechanical

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properties, such as Young's modulus, according to calculated results
such as stress/strain
 Permeability updating
functions: Define
the updating method
when running two-way
coupled simulations
Exercise 1: Create and edit materials for an embedded
grid
In this exercise, you continue with the embedded grid created in
the previous exercise.
Follow the instructions in the training manual.

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Lesson 3: Populate property process
New Feature: Quick MEM
Use Vp, Vs and Density property (or DTCO, DTSM and
Density) to quickly calculate dynamic elastic moduli.

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Populate property process (1)

 The Populate properties process is the next stage in the

workflow. It populates the different geomechanical properties that
describe the characteristics of the different rocks in each cell of

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the grid.
 To populate these properties, the Populate properties process
allows you to create regions on the grid and assign a material
(created in the Material modeling process) to that region.
 These properties vary according to the type of rock present in
each cell.
Populate property process (2)

 Each material has a set of parameters with a given value.

 Each of these parameters corresponds to a grid property that
the Populate properties process creates.

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 The values at each created grid property cell is determined
by the value of the related parameter in the assigned
material.
Populate property process (3)

The five default Elastic materials from the Material modeling process are
 Young's Modulus
 Poisson's Ratio

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 Bulk Density
 Biot Elastic Constant
 Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient
The Populate properties process creates five grid properties with the same
name as the five material parameters. The cells for each of the properties are
assigned the value that is associated with the corresponding material parameters
value.
Create new properties (1)

The first part of the Populate properties process is to create a set of grid
properties as determined by the materials used in the created regions of
the grid. To keep all of the created properties organized, a single root

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property collection is created.
In the root property collection, several subproperty collections also are
created, each named after the elasticity model and failure criteria used in
the associated
materials.
Create new properties (2)

 In each property collection is a set of properties, one set for

each parameter named in the material.
 These properties and their containing folders are shared

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across materials. If several different materials are used that
have the Isotropic elasticity model set, only one Elastic
Isotropic folder and associated properties are created.
 You also can edit existing collections.
Regions (1)

 Regions are user-definable areas of the embedded grid that are

associated with a specific type of rock as indicated by the
attached material.

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 Regions are created by
using the Create/edit
regions section of the
Populate properties
dialog box.
 Three options can be used: By embedded area, By index, and By
discrete property.
Regions (2)

To setup a region on the grid, define the region by selecting a region

definition.
By embedded area allows you to select logical areas of the

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embedded grid, such as
Overburden, Reservoir, or
Sideburden. These areas
correspond to the groups
of cells created during the
Make/edit embedded grid
process.
Regions (3)

Select the buttons that correspond to the areas of the

embedded grid for which the region is to be valid.
Essentially, the Reservoir region corresponds to the original

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unembedded grid. All other areas are sections of the grid
created during the embed process. If a zero embedding was
performed, the only valid area of the grid is the Reservoir.
Regions (4)

The second method of region definition, By index, allows you to select

areas of the embedded grid by the I, J, K index of the grid cells.
You can select arbitrary areas of the grid using the fields that are enabled

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when you select By index.
To set an area, the minimum
and maximum ranges in the
I, J, K directions are selected.
Regions (5)

The third method of region definition, By discrete property, allows

you to use existing discrete properties that convey the same concept
of a region to set up the material regions for the geomechanical

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simulation.
Use the blue arrow to
enter a discrete property
from the Models pane.
Regions (6)

 When a region is defined by embedded area or by index, set the

material that is associated with the region in the Material field.
 This field is populated with the materials that are associated with

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the current project.
 Only project materials
appear here; Library
materials are not
visible.
Regions (7)

 After the region is created, it appears in the Current regions list

where it can be selected and edited.
 For the Populate properties process to be performed

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successfully, at least one region should be created for the
embedded grid.
 Multiple regions can be created; each region can have a different
material assigned to it.
 The Populate properties process deduces the minimal set of
grid properties that must be created to satisfy the requirements of
the materials assigned to the grid regions.
Regions (8)

 The values at the cells of the grid property are undefined if there
is no region associated with a given cell index; otherwise, the
value from a material associated with a region is used.

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 The value of a given
property by default is
uniform across the cells
associated with that
region because the
corresponding material
parameter contains only a single value.
Regions (9)

 When more complex property population distributions are required, you

can apply values from an existing (or created) pillar grid property to
populate the output property values instead of using the normal

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uniform population provide by the materials.
 To enable this functionality, select a created region from the Created
regions list and select the Override material properties check box.
 The Override properties
tab appears next to the
Current regions tab; use
this tab to enter the
properties to be used.
Exercise 1: Populate a property and create a region

In this exercise, you continue to work on the grid for which you
created materials in the last exercise.
Follow the instructions in the training manual.

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Exercise 2: View populated properties

In this exercise, you view the properties that were populated in

the last exercise.
Follow the instructions in the training manual.

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Lesson 4: Discontinuity modeling process
Discontinuity modeling (1)

 If faults or fractures are present in the model, use the Discontinuity

modeling process to include faults and discrete fracture networks (DFNs) in
the reservoir geomechanics simulation.

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 The process outputs:
- A Fault mapping object
- A DFN mapping object
 Each object describes how a set of faults or DFNs are associated with the
current model.
 The objects contain a list of cells that intersect with the fault/DFN (including
the dip and dip direction of the fault/DFN in each cell) and a set of fault/DFN
properties.
Discontinuity modeling (2)

 The Discontinuity modeling process is split into two tabs,

one for creating fault mapping data and one for creating DFN
mapping data.

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 By default, both types of mapping data are created by the
process.
Fault tab (1)

 Use the Fault tab to select which faults to use to create the fault
mapping data object and assign properties to the selected faults.
 You can create a new fault mapping data object or edit an existing one.

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 You include faults
surfaces from the
Petrel Input tree by
dropping them into
the Fault surface
folder field.
Fault tab (2)

The fault material is shown in the columns next to the Fault name. The
values that you entered in the Material modeling process are assigned
as fault properties on the list of mapped cells contained within the fault

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mapping data object.
Fault mapping range

 By default the whole grid except the bottom k layer is used to

map the fault surfaces to the cells.
 You can alter the area of the grid to which the faults are

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mapped by explicitly specifying the range of cells to be
affected.
 Select the Specify IJK fault
mapping range check box.
DFN tab (1)

 Use the DFN tab to select the DFNs to use to create the DFN mapping data
and assign properties to those selected DFNs.
 You can create a new DFN mapping data object or edit an existing one.

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 Unlike the Fault tab, you do not need to select a
specific input to populate the DFN selection tree. All
the DFNs that exist in the Petrel Models tree are
added automatically to the selection tree and are
available to use immediately.
 The DFNs appear in a hierarchy with the model
name to which the DFN belongs at the root of
the hierarchy.
DFN tab (2)

 When you select the fracture sets to be included, a row appears in the DFN
properties data grid.
 The order of the rows is dependent on the order in which the fracture sets

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where selected from the DFN selection tree.
 The DFN property values that you entered in the Material modeling
process are assigned as DFN properties in the list of mapped cells contained
in the DFN
mapping data
object.
DFN mapping range

 As with faults, by default the whole grid except the bottom k

layer is used to map the DFNs to the cells.
 You can alter the area of the grid to which faults are mapped

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by explicitly specifying the range of cells to be affected.
 Select the Specify IJK DFN
mapping range check box.
When selected, only cells
that are within the range
are mapped to a DFN.
Visualize mapped fault/DFN cells

 When a fault or DFN mapping data object is created, you can see
which cells have been mapped by visualizing them in a 3D window.
 Right-click the Fault/DFN mapping data object and select Generate

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fault cell activity to create a grid property that is defined only for the
cells that have been mapped in the selected mapping object.
 You must generate this
property manually to
visualize each fault/DFN
mapping object in the
3D window.
Mechanical Properties of Fault Grid Cells

Faults are modeled as embedded

surfaces within intersected grid cells Fault plane

Both fault plane and intact rock cell

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is under the same stress and the Element

equivalent behavior of cell can be

expressed as:
  
 
Eequiv Eintact Efault

Ref: Barton, N.R. (1972). A model study of

rock-joint deformation, Int. J. Rock Mech. Min.
Sci., Vol. 9, 579-602.
Exercise 1: Model faults and DFNs

In this exercise, you continue to work on the grid for which

properties were populated in the last exercise.
Follow the instructions in the training manual.

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Lesson 5: Define pressure, temperature,
and saturation process
Define pressures, temperatures, and saturations

 The pressure and temperature in the reservoir and the

surrounding overburden, underburden, and sideburdens are
important inputs to the reservoir geomechanics simulation.

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 Pressure and temperature data is added to the simulation
using the Define pressures and temperatures process.
 The same user interface is used to set up the pressure and
temperature steps required to run geomechanics simulations
coupled to reservoir simulations.
Initial pressures, temperatures, and saturations

 As with other processes, you can create a new pressure data domain object
or edit existing domain objects previously created for the selected grid.
 Select Create new and provide a name.

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 Also, you must define the initial pressure and temperature by supplying a
linear pressure gradient correlated to depth or by supplying a grid property
that models the initial pressure.
 To use a grid, select
the property in the
Petrel Models tree
and set it in the
Initial Pressure
condition target.
Enable initial pressures, temperatures, and saturations

Enable the initial

pressure, temperature,
and saturation conditions

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directly by selecting them
from the simulation case.
Pressure properties

 The pressure properties can come from existing pressure

grid properties generated from an existing reservoir
simulation or can be calculated manually using the property

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calculator.
 The pressure property must conform to the pressure
template and have a valid date attached.
 The same procedure and conditions apply to the initial
temperature and saturation conditions.
Offset and gradients (1)

 Often when a previous reservoir simulation has been embedded into a

full geomechanical grid, a full set of pressure data for the entire grid
might not be available.

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 In such circumstances, you must define initial pressures and
temperature for any cells in the grid that do not have that information.
 Cells that do not have the appropriate data usually are undefined in the
upscaled pressure and temperature properties.
 To provide values for such grid cells, a simple offset and gradient can
be provided to calculate a linear pressure gradient correlated to the
depth of the relevant grid cell.
Offset and gradients (2)

The pressure at a given cell is calculated by multiplying the

depth of the cell by the gradient. The offset is used to apply an
additional constant pressure load. The temperature

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offset/gradient is calculated in an identical way.
You can use the offset/gradient functionality to set the initial
pressure and temperature conditions for the whole model.
Coupled Simulation

Information exchange between flow simulator [ECLIPSE/INTERSECT] and stress simulator [VISAGE]
 1-way coupling (static): Pressure & temperature updates from ECLIPSE to VISAGE
 2-way coupling (dynamic): Updated permeability & pore volume multipliers back to ECLIPSE

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ECLIPSE/INTERSECT Pressure/ Temperature VISAGE
Flow simulation Stress simulation
Static

Dynamic

Pore volume/ Permeability

One-way coupling
One-way coupled simulations use the pressures, temperatures, and
saturations generated at specific timesteps from a reservoir
simulation as input to the reservoir geomechanics simulation.
To set up one-way coupling, select One way coupling and Use

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existing simulation case results or input grid properties.
Two-way coupling
Two-way coupling involves an exchange of data between ECLIPSE
and VISAGE. ECLIPSE provides pore pressure, temperature, or
saturation changes and VISAGE returns permeability changes for
each coupled step. To set up two-way coupling, select Two way
coupling and Run reservoir simulation case.

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Coupled steps

Coupled steps also can be selected for specific timesteps for

both one- or two-way coupled runs.

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Pressure data output

 Output is created when the Define pressures and

temperatures process is complete (after clicking OK).
 All the pressure and temperature data, including all individual

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steps and offset/gradient values, is packaged into a single
pressure/temperature domain object.
 The domain object is placed in a folder named Pressure and
Temperature Data located in the Properties section of the
Models tree.
Exercise 1: Define pressures, temperatures, and
saturations
In this exercise, you again continue to work on the model used
in the last exercise.
Follow the instructions in the training manual.

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Lesson 6: Define boundary conditions process
Define boundary conditions (1)
The Boundary conditions process contains several options to set
the boundary conditions that are applied to the model. These
conditions are used to define the initial stress for the simulation.
Two modes, including six methods, are available:

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Initial condition mode Methods
 Stress
Imposed boundary conditions  Strain
 Sector
 Density-based calculation
Stress initialization  Full stress tensor
 Horizontally rotated stresses
Define boundary conditions (2)
 Imposed boundary conditions – Initialization of the model by
specifying the applied external forces
 Stress method: Apply tectonic horizontal maximum and
minimum principal stresses

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Define boundary conditions (2)
 Imposed boundary conditions – Initialization of the model by
specifying the applied external forces
 Strain method: Simulates the initial stress using the strain
given at the boundary

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Define boundary conditions (2)
 Imposed boundary conditions – Initialization of the model by
specifying the applied external forces
 Sector method: using an existing VISAGE case or displacement
properties as boundary condition of a sector model

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Define boundary conditions (2)
 Stress initialization – Initializing the model by using known
stresses or simple depth-based correlations
 Density-based calculation: Vertical stress set based on
density and depth, and horizontal stress using ratios

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Define boundary conditions (2)
 Stress initialization – Initializing the model by using known
stresses or simple depth-based correlations
 Full stress tensor: Explicitly provides the initial stress through
the stress tensor

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Define boundary conditions (2)
 Stress initialization – Initializing the model by using known
stresses or simple depth-based correlations
 Horizontally rotated stresses: Explicitly provides the initial
stress through horizontally-rotated stress

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Two Basic Types of Boundary Condition

Simulation steps of Stress boundary condition and Strain

boundary condition
Stress

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Strain
Boundary conditions (1)

The Boundary conditions dialog box has several options that you can set to
alter the simulation operating boundary conditions that are applied to the model
when the simulation is running for Gravity/Pressure and Initialization methods.

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For Initialization:
 Additional vertical compressive stress: Vertical compressive stress constant

 Vertical stress inclination: Angle that the vertical compressive stress constant

makes with the horizontal plane

 Sh/Vertical ratio: Maximum horizontal stress gradient

 SH/Vertical ratio: Ratio of the maximum horizontal stress and the vertical

stress constant
 Sh azimuth: Minimum horizontal stress azimuth
Boundary conditions (2)

For Gravity/Pressure:
 Sh gradient: Minimum horizontal stress gradient due to tectonic loading
 Sh offset: Used to apply an additional constant load to the SHmin gradient

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 SH/Sh: Ratio of the maximum horizontal stress gradient and the minimum
horizontal stress gradient
 Sh azimuth: Horizontal stress azimuth is the angle that the maximum principal
stress projected onto the horizontal plane makes with the north bearing
 Sea fluid surcharge: The weight due to sea water from zero to the top of the
model below sea level
 Sea pressure gradient: The pressure gradient of the sea fluid used in the
pressure calculation
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Lesson 7: Define reservoir geomechanics
simulation case process
Define reservoir geomechanics simulation case
process (1)
 In this process, the simulation is assembled from its constituent parts
and run using the VISAGE simulator.
 The reservoir geomechanics simulation uses the standard Petrel

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simulation case functionality with results loaded onto the results tree in
a way similar to other Petrel simulators
 The reservoir geomechanics module defines its own simulator type
(VISAGE), so it is visible in the standard Petrel Define simulation
case process in the Simulation group in the Preferences pane.
 You cannot construct and run a reservoir geomechanics simulation
correctly from this process.
Define reservoir geomechanics simulation case
process (2)
 The standard Petrel simulation case functionality is used.
 The core functionality of the Define reservoir geomechanics
simulation case process is divided into three top level tabs:

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- Description
- Model configuration, which has these four subtabs:
• Input
• Options
• Timestep selection
• Permeability updating
- Run-time options
Input tab

 Used to assemble constituent parts required by the simulation before it can be run.
 Enter key input data to run the simulation, such as the property model; pressure,
temperature, and saturation data; the boundary conditions; and discontinuity data.

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Options tab (1)

Contains settings that pertain to the functioning of the simulator itself

rather than properties of the model:
 Pinchout tolerance method: Method by which potential pinched out

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cells are identified. Can be set to either Distance or Factor.
 Pinchout tolerance: Used to specify the distance below which two

nodes are considered to be pinched out

 Iterative matrix solver tolerance: Specifies the tolerance value for the

iterative solver to converge to

 Yield function tolerance: Used to set the tolerance value for the yield

function to converge to
Options tab (2)

 Number of yield points outside yield surface: Percentage of points allowed outside
the surface to enable convergence
 Number of increments: Number of steps used to apply the loads

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Timestep selection tab

 Used to restart reservoir geomechanic simulations and select

which coupled reservoir geomechanical simulation dates to
model

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 Has three main options:
- Generate pre-production restart file: Generates the restart file if the
Restart from option is required at a later date
- Restart from: If the simulation case was run previously, the previous
simulation timesteps can be used to restart a simulation
- Run to: If only some timesteps are required to be performed before
continuing the simulation, you must specify a date/time to stop the
simulation
Permeability updating tab (1)

 Used to select the areas of the model to include in the

permeability update if you are running two-way coupling. It is
available only if two-way coupling is selected on the Input

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tab.
 Three options can be used:
- Region list
- Method
- Update well connections
Permeability updating tab (2)
Region list
To include a region, fault, or fracture when two-way coupling is
run, select the region and insert it in the list.

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Permeability updating tab (3)
Method
Defines the method for updating permeability for a selected region, fault,
or fracture during two-way coupling. Some methods allow one or more
permeability updating functions to be specified (defined using the

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Material modeling process).
Permeability updating tab (4)
Update well connections
If selected, the well permeabilities and connection factors are
recalculated automatically by ECLIPSE using the block cell
permeabilities during a coupled simulation.

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If you do not want ECLIPSE to recalculate permeabilities and
connection factors automatically, the WPIMULT keyword should
be incorporated into the ECLIPSE simulation case instead.
Refer to the ECLIPSE Reference Manual.
Pore volume updating tab

 Used to define the options for porosity updating of ECLIPSE reservoir

simulations in two-way coupling with VISAGE.
 Six options are available:

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- Pore volume updating
- Pore volume relaxation
- Iterative Updating
- Pore volume tolerance
- Maximum pore volume
iterations
- Update fracture pore volume
Run-time options tab (1)

 Contains settings that are used to set up the run environment

for the simulator. The settings control the parameters such
as the queues and logon information.

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 Has a different selection of sub-tabs, depending on whether
a one-way coupled or two-way coupled run is being
performed
Run-time options tab (2)

 If one-way coupling is selected, there is a single VISAGE

tab.
 If two-way coupling is selected, there are three subtabs:

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Coupler, VISAGE, and ECLIPSE.
Coupler tab

Used for two-way coupling runs. Has these options:

 Queues: Petrel queue on which to run the Coupler

 Show simulation console: For local runs only, used to view the progress of the

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simulation in the command window that is running the simulation
 Logon information: For remote runs only, the user ID and password for the

remote computer
VISAGE tab (1)

Used for both one-way and two-way coupling. Has these options:
 Specify VISAGE version: VISAGE simulator version to use. The default
is the latest version installed. The version specified here also specifies

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the version of the coupler used on the Coupler tab.
 Queues: Petrel queue on which to run the VISAGE simulator.
 Number of processors: The VISAGE simulator can be configured to
run in parallel by setting this value greater than 1.
 Show simulation console: For local runs only, used to view the
progress of the simulation in the command window that is running the
simulation
VISAGE tab (2)

 Logon information: For remote runs only, the user ID and password for the remote
computer
 Use GPU for simulation: Because you can run geomechanics simulations using
VISAGE on a graphics processing unit (GPU), when you select this option, VISAGE

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runs on any available GPUs rather than on the CPU. Number of processors is
dimmed because VISAGE always run in serial mode.
ECLIPSE tab

Used to run ECLIPSE in two-way coupling. Has these options:

 Specify ECLIPSE version: ECLIPSE simulator version to use
 Queues: Petrel queue on which to run the ECLIPSE simulator

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 Number of processors: Configure the ECLIPSE simulator to run in
parallel by setting this value greater than 1
Launch simulation runs and load results

Use buttons at the bottom of the Define RG simulation case

process dialog box to launch a simulation and manage its run.

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When a simulation has been run and the data fetched from any
remote servers, the final step is to present the results in the
Petrel environment. Currently, the simulation results are not
loaded automatically when the simulation is finished; you must
load the results manually using the Case tree.
Exercise 1: Define boundary conditions and run the
simulation
In this exercise, you again continue working on the model used
in the last exercise.
Follow the instructions in the training manual.

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Lesson 8: Simulation results and results analysis
Load simulation results

1. In the Petrel Case tree, locate the simulation case used to

run the simulation.
2. Right-click the simulation case

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and select the Load simulation
results.
Petrel loads the results data and makes
it available in the standard Petrel results
tree.
Initial principal stresses in fractured reservoir

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Permeability tensor in fractured reservoir
0 years
Top reservoir

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Permeability tensor after some depletion
15 years
Top reservoir

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Impact on reservoir performance
Field Gas Production Total Field Water Production Total

450000 20000
400000 18000

350000 16000
Permeability

FWPT (STB^10E3)
FGPT (MSCF*E3)

300000
Permeability 14000
updating
250000
updating 12000
Coupled-case 2 Coupled-case 2
10000
200000 Coupled-case 1 Coupled-case 1
8000
150000 No Permeability
6000
No Permeability updating
100000 4000

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updating
50000 2000
0 0
0 5 10 15 0 5 10 15

Time(Year) Time (year)

Field Pressure History

6000

5000

4000
No Permeability
FPR (PSIA)

updating
Coupled-case 2
3000
Coupled-case 1

2000
Permeability
updating
1000

0
0 5 10 15

Time (year)
Exercise 1 and 2: Load and analyze simulation results

In these exercises, you start by defining the reservoir

geomechanics simulation and conclude by running a simulation
and viewing the results.

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Follow the instructions in the training manual.
Effective stresses around well C3 (1)

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Effective stresses around well C3 (2)

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Effective stresses around well C3 and blue fault (1)

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Effective stresses around well C3 and blue fault (2)

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Lesson 9: Local grid refinement (LGR)
LGR functionality in Petrel
In this lesson, you learn how to
use the Local Grid Refinement
(LGR) functionality in Petrel
RG to specify a locally

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enhanced grid definition.
Follow the instructions for
Exercise 1 in the training
manual.
LGRs

You can include local grid refinements (LGRs) in the geomechanical grid
in these two ways:
 Use pre-existing LGRs already defined in the input grid (or that you

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explicitly defined). During the Make/edit geomechanical grid
process, existing LGRs are recreated automatically on the
geomechanical grid.
 Use the standard Petrel Make local grids process after the
geomechanical grid has been created but before properties are
populated onto the grid (using the Populate properties process).
Important limitations with LGRs

 Only regular Cartesian local grid refinements (that is,

Cartesian Nx, Ny, Nz LGRs and Cartesian Dx, Dy, Dz LGRs)
are supported currently.

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 Non-usable Petrel RG local grid sets are those sets that
contain multiple grids whose bounds intersect and grids that
are located at a side boundary.
 Rules for LGRs in VISAGE and ECLIPSE

VISAGE
ECLIPSE No LGR LGR
No VISAGE/ECLIPSE cell extracts VISAGE LGR cells ECLIPSE cell extracts
LGR values from matching cell in extract values from host values from LGR cells
ECLIPSE/VISAGE cell in ECLIPSE (average) in VISAGE

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LGR VISAGE cell ECLIPSE LGR Non Matching VISAGE/ECLIPSE LGRs
extracts average cells extract
values from values from VISAGE/ECLIPSE LGR cell extracts values from
LGR cells in host cell in matching host cell in ECLIPSE/VISAGE
ECLIPSE VISAGE
Matching VISAGE/ECLIPSE LGRs*

VISAGE/ECLIPSE LGR cell extracts values from

matching LGR cell in ECLIPSE/VISAGE
Summary

In this module, you learned about:

 the processes involved in running Petrel RG successfully

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 modeling materials around the reservoir to describe the far
field stresses better
 coupling the reservoir simulation results to the
geomechanical model of the field
 using VISAGE for the geomechanical simulation
 analyzing the geomechanical simulation results