Cloud-Based Array Electromagnetics Contributing to Zero Carbon Footprint

Abstract

Fluid imaging technologies are used in a wide range of E&P applications. Among geophysical methods, electromagnetics (EM) determines subsurface resistivities and thus respond to fluid changes. On the path to zero CO2 footprint, the biggest potential for EM lies in monitoring geothermal, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) of hydrocarbon reservoirs. For EOR of hydrocarbon reservoirs, EM methods also increase the recovery factor. At the same time, usage of CO2 for flooding can help reaching zero carbon footprint faster. In geothermal applications EM is a standard geophysical method. Monitoring is often carried out in compliance with induced seismicity monitoring to better understand the fluid movement inside the reservoir – here we suggest adding EM. For carbon capture applications, only recently EM methods have become of interest because there is a strong resistivity contrast between CO2 saturated fluid and normal reservoir fluids. We designed a new EM acquisition architecture that combines novel technologies and addresses the need of calibrating surface and borehole data with each other. This is necessary to obtain reservoir scale parameters. We also add various borehole receivers to the system to improve image focus and resolution. Our array acquisition system applies multiple electromagnetic methods as well as microseismic in ONE layout. This reduces operational cost and provides synergy between the methods. In a production scenario, using multi-component EM allows resolving oil and water-bearing zones equally well, as well as obtaining fluid flow directions. The modular architecture allows a fit-for-purpose configuration tailored to specific exploration/monitoring targets (in terms of depth, frequency range, and sensitivity required). The entire system combines hardware with processing and 3D modeling/inversion software, streamlining the workflow for the different methods. Acquiring and interpreting in combination with artificial intelligence and Cloud-based data transmission and quality assurance achieves near real-time operations. The biggest value is in faster operations and making decisions at a time when they can impact acquisition data quality. We use a multi-layered Cloud solution, for acquisition, processing, and interpretation. This acceleration then opens new doors for the breakthrough of this technology from exploration to production and monitoring. It also allows the application envelope to be enlarged to much noisier environments where real time feedback allows for better noise compensation methods. Once all components are commercialized, this could become a real game changer by providing near real-time 3-dimensional subsurface images because of a reduction of operational cost and by reducing the carbon footprint per barrel produced.

Application of Electromagnetic Methods for Reservoir Monitoring with Emphasis on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

“…During data acquisition, the recorded signal is the combination of the induced field for the passive source and injected transmitter current for CSEM with the effect of the signal generation process and the Earth's response [22,[73][74][75]. Since two distinct EM measurements were collected, CSEM as an active method and MT as a passive method, the data must be separated and independently processed before they can be interpreted to create a unique subsurface model.…”

First High-Power CSEM Field Test in Saudi Arabia

“…A KMS-820-transmitter controller unit and a laptop were connected to the transmitter sending the data in real-time to the Cloud. It should be mentioned that the new KFUPM's complete field array EM system is cloud-based, and the interpreter can apply the quality control and assurance in real-time, requesting changes in the acquisition parameters or even the used geometries [42]. The generator's power is isolated from the transmitter switch box so that it can be turned on/off if the power generator fails, thus avoiding ground loops and maintaining overall safety.…”

An Array Multi-Physics Acquisition System with Focus on Reservoir Monitoring for the Energy Transition

“…These combined multiphysics-methods deliver synergetic valuable information on the location and direction of the waterfront, due to the high sensitivity of the EM field to the fluid properties and the strong response of seismic to volumes boundaries (with impedance contrast). After recent successful case histories [33][34][35][36][37], we focus on the largest error contributors, we will start with the biggest issue we need to address in electromagnetics, anisotropy. This is because the error by ignoring anisotropy is between 30 to 50% (discussed below).…”