Reservoir engineering has always been a complex task, simultaneously helped by and burdened with incredible amounts of data. Lately, though, the so-called “data deluge” is greater than ever, and some experts are wondering what to do about it. Still working in traditional ways, they cannot take full advantage of the data they currently have.
Other reservoir engineers, though, aren’t so intimidated by the task of integrating ever increasing amounts of information into their systems.
Some are even asking for more.
One example: In a November 2011 paper, Dr. Andrew W. Wadsley of Stochastic Simulation Limited wrote that reservoir engineers need even more data to drive their simulations.
“… Early recognition of complexity and understanding of the complexity should become one of the major goals of … appraisal wells,” he wrote. He then argued for the closer involvement of geologists, saying that they can provide the additional data that will help simulations more accurately predict reserves. He also mentioned the limits of understanding that can be achieved from core and petrophysical data from test bores, claiming that engineers cannot accurately extrapolate well-bore data to something as large as a reservoir. Well-bore data will not be accurate because the well bores area represents less than one-millionth of the volume of the entire reservoir, he said.
And that’s where Tecplot comes in. We understand the need for better data management processes in reservoir engineering. We continuously have our “ear to the ground,” so to speak, regularly discussing these needs with top experts in this challenging field. Our observations tell us that as long as geologists are available, reservoir engineers will remain hungry for their input and advice. The question, then, becomes: How will engineers manage this new information? How will they visualize and understand it in a meaningful and accurate way?
Our answer: Tecplot RS. A uniquely robust data management system, RS allows reservoir engineers to visualize large amounts of information in highly-specific ways, greatly increasing their productivity on a day-to-day basis.