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computing techniques can be applied to Other emerging techniques that tech- and data analysis talent that can clearly existing problems, and, in turn, the tech- nical computing specialists can offer understand how these complex systems nical computing specialist becomes more involve the use of large scale complex work best together. aware of the SME’s domain. platforms for processing 4D seismic data Operators will be increasingly reliant

As an example of how technical com- in a massively parallel fashion, either on on broad vendor ecosystems to ensure puting specialists with domain expertise a high performance cluster or using map that their SME’s can be matched with start to think about existing problems, reduction platforms. The result frag- the right kinds of technical computing consider the use of forward modelling as ments can then be combined back into a specialists to provide a bridge between

Geology & Geophysics an alternative approach to seismic inver- dynamic and evolving reservoir model. them and the managed software develop- sion. This would involve starting with a When real-time data from intelligent ment cycle. Finding the right partner that basic gridded model of planar geological ? elds is integrated with current well understands the domain can signi? cantly features, and using this basic model to data, specialist engineers will be able shorten the software release cycle.

This allows the wider business units to generate synthetic seismic data, which to use analytics tools to spot trends and bene? t from the many innovations becom- can then be compared with the original improve history matching for the ? eld. ing available, but within a known work? ow seismic survey data. This supports a more informed and that they are comfortable with and trust.

By employing a carefully designed timely choice of the appropriate extrac-

We must remember that human needs are iterative process, which uses genetic tion method. just as important as those of the data.

algorithms, pattern matching techniques, In the long term oil companies can and optimization, the process would then begin to capture the decision continue until the gridded model evolves making processes that expert reservoir Ray Millward joined to generate synthetic seismic data to engineers have built up over decades Tessella Ltd two years appropriately match the observed data. of experience, and as pattern matching ago, working within

Once techniques such as this are per- techniques improve, to then make this the upstream oil and fected and automated, geophysicists and data accessible when similar geological gas industry. Before reservoir engineers can spend less time features are explored in future. Tessella, Millward ? ghting to create a simulation grid. More While it is possible to begin to articu- earned his PhD at the time becomes available for identifying late what the future of the digital oil? eld University of Bath, good starting points for the optimization might look like, these kinds of problems studying a new adaptive multiscale ? nite as well as incorporating complex features will be extremely challenging to solve, element method, with applications to of the reservoir. and will require software engineering high contrast interface problems. 2014 Offshore Technology Conference 5–8 May • Houston, Texas, USA • www.otcnet.org/2014

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