Petrel 2007

Petrel 2007.1—What’s New

New in Petrel – Visualize and analyze fractured reservoirs. Model discrete fracture networks and perform dual porosity and dual permeability simulations in ECLIPSE with Petrel 2007.1.

Seismic interpretation in Petrel 2007. From regional to reservoir and from 2d lines to 3d surveys, the capabilities of the new Petrel broaden into exploration.

Geophysics
Seismic scalability solved
Today, many seismic datasets commonly exceed tens or even hundreds of gigabytes of disk space. By handling data in a bricked seismic data format and using smart disk roaming technology, Petrel 2007.1 software can now easily handle datasets up to 60 GB without any degradation of data or performance.

For 3D datasets greater than 60 GB, Petrel software provides an optional Linux® seismic back-end cluster. Accessing data on the server is as simple as copying and pasting links to data that users wish to see in their local Petrel project. Operations (autotracking, attribute generation) run on data that resides on the server and will be processed on the server, not your local Petrel workstation. For attribute generation, the seismic server runs these computations in parallel-with considerable time savings and with the added benefit of allowing all members of an asset team to quickly review the results.

Composite lines
Interpreters can quickly create composite lines across multiple surveys, both 3D and 2D, as needed. Using the composite line display on the interpretation window, it is possible to visualize and easily interpret seismic horizons across multiple surveys.
Geology and modeling
Discrete fracture networks
Modeling flow in fractured reservoirs is challenging, requiring a software solution that supports tight integration between the static and dynamic reservoir modeling disciplines and which provides a way to visualize and analyze many data types that may be direct or indirect indicators of fractures.

The Petrel 2007.1 software release includes integrated technology from Golder Associates, a leader in fracture modeling, that enables the creation of an integrated workflow for fractured reservoir characterization. In addition, Petrel 2007.1 now supports ECLIPSE* dual-porosity models, making it even easier to simulate naturally fractured reservoirs.

Reservoir engineering
Multisegmented well model
Conventional reservoir simulator well models treat the entire wellbore as a single entity, with constant or averaged fluid properties throughout the well. These models neglect pressure drops resulting from friction, interphase slip, and acceleration. This is a perfectly reasonable approximation for vertical wells producing from only one zone. However, with horizontal wells, friction becomes extremely important. The multisegmented well model in Petrel and ECLIPSE divides the entire wellbore into segments, much as a reservoir is divided into cells when making the grid. Petrel 2007.1 gives each well segment the physical properties of the casing or tubing that contains it, allowing ECLIPSE software to accurately model the fluid physics throughout the wellbore.

Field development strategies
The field development strategy option makes it easy to set up and manage complex well controls without becoming overwhelmed by detail. Wells can now be organized into time-varying group hierarchies, allowing controls to be applied at the level that makes sense to you. Wells can also be organized into many folders, allowing you to easily apply the same controls to hundreds or even thousands of wells.
Drilling
Real-Time Data Link
The Real-Time Data Link component accepts streaming real-time data such as logs, events, and trajectories from InterACT and other third-party WITSML file servers. Data is immediately incorporated into Petrel for real-time monitoring and modeling. The data link facilitates rapid assessment of the impact of the new geological knowledge on the well being drilled, enhancing understanding and improving collaboration.
Usability
Usability starts with a belief in designing a product that meets user needs and a focus on creating an excellent user experience. In Petrel 2007.1 the graphical user interface has been updated to Microsoft® WinForms, making it even more efficient and usable.

Each explorer pane (Input, Model, Process diagram, and so forth) can now be manipulated independently with standard controls such as dock/pin/float/hide. This new system provides a stable and predictable toolbar appearance and behavior, while at the same time improving efficiency.

Conclusion
Petrel 2007.1 is the strongest release ever, broadening into exploration geophysics, strengthening core modeling and geology workflows, refining the reservoir simulation user experience, and supporting real-time drilling workflows.