GeoScale: Reservoir Simulation on a Geological Scale, Part II

The project is a continuation of GeoScale (2004-2007), a strategic research project (grant no. 158908/I30) whose main objective was to develop a new technology for reservoir simulation of full-scale geological models on desktop computers. The main object ive of GeoScale II is to continue the basic development of the `GeoScale technology' so that it becomes a super-fast simulation technology that can be used to simplify modeling work flows, speed up data integration optimization work flows, aid in interact ive planning, and improve management decisions. High relevance of the proposed research is ensured through the research group's portfolio of industry projects, through academic collaboration and participation in the Center for Integrated Operations in the Petroleum Industry, a national center for research-based innovation at NTNU. Moreover, industrial relations are designated as a separate work package with special emphasis on frequent contacts with software vendors and end-users in oil companies. The p roposal attempts to close the knowledge gap between the current state of multiscale reservoir simulation and industry-standard solvers, and, in addition, extend the scope of multiscale simulation to applications where business decisions are made in real-t ime --- applications that can only take advantage of simulation tools capable of computing almost instant flow responses. The total budget of the proposal is 9.0 million NOK over the three-year period 2008-2010. This level of basic funding will enable SI NTEF to advance the core of a technology that has many applications - but where each of the end users at this point in time will not bear the financial burden of a further development of this core. The project will also allow SINTEF to avoid having to par cel out IP rights thus hindering the development of a unified methodology. Longer term, we believe the research will give great benefits to Norwegian industry and research.