Uncertainty of flow in porous media

Schlumberger came to the 2004 Study Group with Industry with a need of investigating the uncertainty characteristics of flows in porous media, for example oil or water in porous rock. The problem posed was, in essence, how do we estimate the probability distribution of f(x) from the probability distribution of x? Here x is a large vector and f is a complicated function which can be expensive to evaluate. For Schlumberger's applications f is a computer simulator of a hydrocarbon reservoir, and x is a description of the geology of the reservoir, which is uncertain.

At the Study Group a new academic collaboration was established and the problem received different inputs. Since then Daniel Busby - the PhD student presenting the problem at the 2004 Study Group - completed his PhD and was hired by the Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP). The work initiated at the Study Group and developed during these two years resulted in a few publications and most importantly, in an algorithm.

The resulting algorithm will be implemented in the software application, Petrel Reservoir Engineering - to be released in the 2008 version. The software will implement the major features of the algorithm and the Study Group played an instrumental role in the very successful outcome of this project.

The implementation of the algorithm has a great value and Schlumberger anticipates an increase in software sales and in selling measurement services - it will add value for their clients.

"The Study Group was excellent on all counts. In particular, the problem was discussed in depth and we were very pleased with the progress made" - Chris Farmer, Scientific Advisor, Schlumberger.

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