The Marcellus Shale, an immense stretch of rock that runs deep underground through parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and West Virginia is rich in natural gas. Scientists have known about the formation for a long time, but it wasn’t until recently that they realized it could be one of the largest-known natural gas fields in the world. A grant for $353,934 from the Gas Technology Institute will enable researchers with West Virginia University’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources to use data-intensive science to optimize gas production in the region.

Dr. Shahab Mohaghegh, a professor in WVU’s Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, is leading a team of researchers in applying the latest technology to reservoir modeling. Mohaghegh is a pioneer in the application of artificial intelligence and data mining in the petroleum industry.

“Traditionally, in order to increase production you would build a predictive reservoir model using conventional technology,” Mohaghegh said. “The technology we are using is new and unconventional. It is not based on physics and mathematics, but on ‘Top-Down’ modeling.”

Conventional reservoir simulation and modeling is a bottom-up approach. It starts with building a geological model of the reservoir that is populated with the best petrophysical and geophysical information available at the time of development. Engineering fluid flow principles are then added and solved numerically to arrive at a dynamic reservoir model. The model is calibrated using the production history of multiple wells and the history-matched model is used to strategize field development in order to improve recovery.

According to Mohaghegh, Top-Down, Intelligent Reservoir Modeling approaches the reservoir simulation and modeling from the opposite angle. It integrates traditional reservoir engineering analysis with AI&DM technology to generate a full-field model. Using this new technology leads to savings of both time and research resources to obtain accurate predictive models. Over time, more wells and more historical data enhance the results of the model.

“This is very new technology that has been extensively and exclusively used here at WVU,” Mohaghegh said. “People in the industry are quite interested to see how our research in this area progresses.”

The project is part of the University’s Advanced Energy Initiative, which coordinates and promotes University-wide energy research in science, technology and public policy.

GTI is a nonprofit organization with more than 65 years experience in the development and deployment of technology solutions that contribute to a secure, abundant and affordable energy future. GTI programs have resulted in nearly 500 products, 750 licenses and more than 1,200 associated patents.

Funding for the project is provided through the “Ultra-Deepwater and Unconventional Natural Gas and Other Petroleum Resources Research and Development Program,” authorized by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The program—funded from lease bonuses and royalties paid by industry to produce oil and gas on federal lands—is specifically designed to increase supply and reduce costs to consumers while enhancing the global leadership position of the United States in energy technology through the development of domestic intellectual capital.

The Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America is under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory to administer several elements of the program. RPSEA is a 501©(3) nonprofit consortium with more than 180 members, including 22 of the nation’s premier research universities, six national laboratories, other major research institutions, large and small energy producers and energy consumers. The mission of RPSEA, headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, is to provide a stewardship role in ensuring the focused research, development and deployment of safe and environmentally responsible technology that can effectively deliver hydrocarbons from domestic resources to the citizens of the United States. Additional information can be found at www.rpsea.org.

—WVU—
mcd/1/20/11

Check http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/daily for the latest news from the University.
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.

CONTACT:
Mary Dillon
Communications, Marketing and Public Relations
College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
(304)293-4086
Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu