Research

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Hyperlinked Table (Completed Projects, i.e, no. 02, 04, 07, 08, 09, 10, 12, 13)

02.

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Joint industry project (JIP), PHASE 1 (completed), PHASE 2 (in progress). A multi-disciplinary (i.e., Computer Science, Geoscience, and Petroleum Engineering) research and development of a Rapid Reservoir Modeling (RRM) software framework for prototyping complex conceptual reservoir models, using novel, sketch-based interface and modeling (SBIM) algorithms and methods, exploratory visualization & visual analytics, and numerical modeling and analysis of fundamental reservoir properties and behaviors.

PHASE 1 of the RRM-JIP has delivered:

  • Innovative methods to facilitate rapid sketching of 3D stratigraphy and simple structure, and rapid calculation of reservoir properties;
  • Demonstration that Interactive reservoir prototyping is possible and adds value in reservoir characterization, modelling and development studies;
  • Models created with RRM honour fundamental, widely used stratigraphic and sedimentologic concepts such as the law of super position, Walther’s Law, sequence stratigraphy, and facies models.
  • Algorithmic rules integrated with SBIM to ensure geologically-sound models are generated, and supporting different scales of geology being observed and interpreted.
  • Implementation of the methods in software that allows domain users with various levels of expertise and geological interpretation and modeling objectives to test RRM.

Publications, RRM Phase 1 (alpha order, J = journal, C = conference):

  • Costa Sousa et al. '20;(C)
  • Jackson et al. '15 (C)
  • Rood et al. '15 (C)
  • Zhang et al. '20 (J), '18 (C), '17a (J), '17b (C)

PHASE 2 In Progress.

https://rapidreservoir.org/

Three Principal Investigators (alpha. order):

1.

Dr. Mario Costa Sousa (Co-PI)

University of Calgary, Computer Science (CAN)

2.

Dr. Sebastian Geiger (Co-PI)

Heriot-Watt University, Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (GBR) now at
Delft University of Technology, Geoscience & Engineering (NLD)

3.

Dr. Matthew Jackson (Co-PI)

Imperial College London, Earth Science & Engineering (GBR)

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04.

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Illustrative visualization framework and toolset incorporates traditional Scientific-Technical-Medical (STM) illustration principles, practices, and methods with existing and forthcoming graphics and visualization systems and techniques. PHASES 1, 2, and 3 of this program focused on fundamental components of our framework, including:

  • Interactive modeling, to create, edit, manipulate and annotate 3D models by interactive sketch input with integration with acquired 3D scientific datasets.
  • Shape analysis, to extract features, measure and depict the 3D form of the models and datasets;
  • Expressive rendering, to (a) provide illustrative renderings Ie.g., non-photorealistic rendering) that focus on incorporating general illustration principles, techniques and aesthetics of different styles .
  • Interactively control various composition effects, such as the focus of attention, rendering variances in multivariate datasets, among others.

PHASE 4 (in progress) is focusing on context-awereness aspects of our illustrative graphics and visualization framewor.

My role: PI

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07.



Research program established in interactive visual computing technologies to address fundamental and applied research challenges in the disciplines of geoscience and petroleum engineering, in direct collaboration w/ industry -- i.e., operators (exploration, development & production companies) and service (i.e., software development companies) -- and academia in Canada and worldwide (refer to image below, circa 2009 -2017)

Software & hardware technologies resulting from my IRC program focuses on four main fronts.

  • Operating over integrated, multi-disciplinary workflows and datasets, making data management, computation, visualization, and interaction work together smoothly and efficiently.
  • Providing visual representation better reflecting and expressing the available information from different stages of exploration and production.
  • Improving communication between professionals involved in field development and decision-making.
  • Guiding complex work processes to express the level of uncertainty during analysis and interpretations of reservoir datasets.


My role: PI

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08.



Interactive Visualization Infrastructure Lab
Energi Simulation (fmr Foundation CMG) Frank & Sarah Meyer Collaboration Centre
Calgary Centre of Innovative Technology (CCIT)
Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary
PI: Dr. Zhangxing (John) Chen

Equipment infrastructure update in the Collaboration Centre Lab space, including 3D trackers, interactive surfaces, virtual reality CAVE, mixed reality, and robotic interfaces. Professor Ehud Sharlin and I assisted with the design and execution of this infrastructure update. In addition to our labs, Prof. Sharlin and I share our group members, the Collaboration Centre, with Prof. Chen, as part of our ongoing collaboration.

PI: Dr. Zhangxing (John) Chen, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary.
My role: Co-Applicant & Collaborator

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09.


Jackson et al. 2013


The quantification of geologic risk, uncertainty and optimization of hydrocarbon recovery are of paramount importance in the oil & gas industry. For improved quantification, modern geoscientists rely heavily on multi-scale and multi-physics numerical simulations of geological processes. One of the biggest challenges in designing process-based simulations is the meshing of complex geobody geometries observed in the seismic or of idealized structural scenarios discussed in workrooms. In this project, we developed workflows for efficient creation and meshing of some commonly observed but challenging structural geological scenarios which will be used as templates in geomechanical scenario modeling. In addition, we developed a preliminary workflow for creating 3D unstructured fault meshes from line interpretations of real-world seismic data thereby facilitating fast creation of Mechanical Earth Models as a powerful risking tool in O&G exploration..

My role: PI

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10.








ENHANCED USE OF NUMERICAL METHODS FOR
RESERVOIR DESCRIPTION USING WELL TEST AND PRODUCTION DATA

Well test and production data analysis are two primary techniques for dynamic reservoir description. These two approaches are traditionally based on simplified and average analytical solutions. However, these idealized solutions cannot be easily used for complex reservoir characterization studies. Without having efficient data integration methods and a robust flow simulator, conducting numerical studies become cumbersome. The purpose of this project is to design new and adapt existing workflows for efficient data analysis and dynamic reservoir description in well testing and production data analysis.

ENHANCED TECHNIQUES FOR HISTORY MATCHING AND FORECASTING

History matching refers to calibrating numerical or analytical models by observed data. However, this task can be very challenging in complex geology and many unknown data. The purpose of this project scope is to introduce and apply new techniques for building predictive history-matched models for reservoir characterization of conventional and unconventional reservoirs, which can be used for probabilistic forecast and uncertainty quantification. Expected research results would enable the design of new workflows to enhance the history matching task in various problems. These new workflows could also be adapted to existing ones currently in place. Our research and development approach includes the use and applications of state-of-the-art methods representing the geology and efficiently and accurately calibrate the dynamic models by minimizing the computational cost.


My role: PI

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12.



Research and development of a web-based platform for flexible and accessible UAV-based data processing while tackling the posed challenges by using consumer-grade sensors and diversity of potential system users/applications. The research outcome will be a light, streamlined application capable of accurate mapping and monitoring that can be affordably/conveniently accessed and used by data providers and end-users. These users might not have a high level of technical mapping expertise in various applications.

The aim of this research will be achieved through the following research and development objectives:

(1) Web-based data preparation and optimization module;
(2) Eeb-based platform for geospatial data transfer, storing, and archiving on the cloud;
(3) R&D and optimization of a novel UAV-based data processing workflow as a web-based service; and
(4) R&D of a web-based module for data visualization and visual analytics.

This project's fundamental research will be demonstrated and evaluated on real-world scenarios in the agriculture and forestry domains.

PI, Dr. Naser El-Sheimy, Geomatics Engineering, University of Calgary
My role: Co-Applicant & Collaborator

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13.

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Establishment of illustrares at the Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary. Research and development of fundamental algorithms, mathematical models, and data structures supporting my long-term research program in Illustrative Graphics & Visualization (IGV) program (IGV) PHASES 1, 2, 3 (completed), PHASE 4 (in progress), and applied research projects.

My role: PI

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