Detailed explanation of the implementation route of digital twin projects in the field of oil and gas exploration and development
The implementation of digital twins is a grand project with great systematicity and complexity. Its core goal is to carefully build a complete and coherent process system. Starting from the initial static modeling, we gradually and methodically advance to the careful design and development of the overall interface layout, and finally build a digital twin system that is highly compatible with the physical world, comprehensive and powerful. This system can not only accurately reproduce the various characteristics and dynamic changes of the physical world, but also provide solid and powerful data support and technical guarantee for decision-making and efficient management in various industries, helping enterprises to seize the initiative in the wave of digital transformation and enhance their core competitiveness.
1. Static modeling of core steps
(I) On-site information collection
In the static modeling stage of starting the digital twin project, in-depth and meticulous on-site investigation is the cornerstone. We make full use of the advanced technical advantages of drones and handheld scanners, and use high-resolution photography and high-definition video recording to collect all kinds of equipment at the drilling site, from large drilling platforms to small valve instruments, in an all-round and all-round manner. With its flexible flight capabilities, drones can quickly obtain large-area equipment layout information and images of hard-to-reach areas; handheld scanners focus on accurately capturing equipment details, recording the texture, logos, and dimensions of key components on the equipment surface. The rich and detailed data obtained lays a solid foundation for the subsequent modeling process, ensuring that the constructed model can highly restore the real scene, with extremely high authenticity and accuracy, just like creating an accurate digital copy of the real world.
(II) Targeted modeling methods
Oil and gas reservoir modeling: Considering that oil and gas reservoirs are deeply buried underground and it is difficult to obtain their real image data, the modeling process is extremely challenging. It needs to rely deeply on multiple sources of information such as seismic exploration data, well logging data, and structural interpretation results. Seismic exploration data reveals the general outline of underground geological structures by analyzing the propagation characteristics of seismic waves in underground media; well logging data obtains detailed information such as the physical properties of rocks and oil and gas content from the wellbore; structural interpretation results integrate a variety of geological information and systematically analyze underground structures. At the same time, we make full use of professional oil and gas reservoir modeling software, such as Petrel, with its powerful algorithms and simulation functions, to accurately simulate the complex and changeable migration process of underground fluids, taking into account the permeability and saturation of fluids under different geological conditions, and presenting them in an intuitive visual form, so as to build a scientific, accurate and dynamic digital model that can reflect the characteristics of oil and gas reservoirs. This model not only helps geologists to gain a deep understanding of the internal structure of oil and gas reservoirs, but also provides a key basis for the formulation of reservoir development plans.
Wellbore modeling: Based on the drilling design plan and the rich data accumulated during the actual drilling and completion process, for the downhole tool part, we carry out meticulous design work by referring to the actual tool entity on the spot and taking detailed photos and records. From the shape and size of the drill bit to the connection method and material characteristics of the drill pipe, every detail is carefully recorded. At the same time, combined with the pressure, temperature and other data during the drilling process, as well as the formation information, professional modeling software, such as Schlumberger's Techlog software, is used to accurately simulate the mechanical response and fluid flow of the wellbore under different working conditions, striving to restore the real structure and internal structure of the wellbore to the greatest extent, and provide a reliable model basis for subsequent wellbore operation simulation and optimization.
Ground modeling: It can be directly based on the physical equipment for accurate modeling, and use 3D modeling software, such as SolidWorks, to build an accurate 3D model of the equipment at a ratio of 1:1. If the project is in the construction stage and there is already a BIM model, or it involves macro scenes such as joint stations, it can also make full use of the existing geographic information data in the GIS system, or combine it with high-resolution image data taken by drones to carry out more comprehensive and efficient modeling work. By integrating BIM models with GIS data, it is possible to quickly build an overall ground scene model including buildings, roads, pipelines, etc., and combine drone images to perform texture mapping and detail optimization on the model to ensure that the ground model can accurately reflect the layout and characteristics of the actual scene, and provide a real scene simulation environment for subsequent production management and emergency drills.
2. Data access in the core steps
Based on the existing system architectures, we will fully promote the data fusion and integration of multi-source systems such as oil and gas reservoirs, wellbores, surface production, pipeline production, and geographic information. This process is like building a data bridge to gather data scattered in different systems into the digital twin system. According to the different conditions and technical characteristics of different systems in actual operation, we adopt methods such as directly obtaining data from the database or calling specially designed service interfaces. For some systems with structured data stored in relational databases, such as some surface production systems, we can directly extract the required data from the database by writing SQL query statements; for some systems with distributed architectures, such as geographic information systems, we can achieve efficient data transmission and sharing by developing RESTful-style service interfaces. Through these methods, we can effectively integrate data types from different data sources and formats, break down the barriers between data, and achieve smooth circulation and efficient sharing of data in the entire digital twin system, providing sufficient data support for subsequent data analysis and model driving.
3. Data storage link
Based on the unique data requirements of the digital twin system, with the help of advanced microservice architecture, we can collect data from the unified system and self-built system in a comprehensive and in-depth manner. The microservice architecture splits the entire data acquisition and storage system into multiple independent service modules, each of which focuses on a specific data source or function, such as oil and gas reservoir data acquisition services, wellbore data processing services, etc. Such an architectural design makes the system highly flexible and scalable, and can easily cope with changes in different data sources and data formats. On this basis, a scientific and reasonable data entity with a rigorous structure is constructed, and an object-oriented data modeling method is adopted to classify and organize data according to different entity types, such as abstracting oil and gas reservoir data into oil and gas reservoir entities, including geological attributes, fluid attributes and other sub-attributes. And further carry out in-depth analysis and application of entity data, and use data mining algorithms such as cluster analysis and association rule mining to discover potential patterns and laws from massive data; realize the extensive sharing and distribution of data, and provide the processed data to different business departments and application systems in the form of standardized interfaces by building a data sharing platform; at the same time, the data model itself is finely managed throughout its life cycle, from the design, creation, update to retirement of the data model, each link is strictly version controlled and quality monitored to ensure that the data can play the greatest value in the entire project implementation process.
4. Core Steps: Model Rendering
(I) Importance of Rendering
3D model rendering plays a vital role in the process of converting physical entities into virtual digital models. It can present complex and abstract physical entities in the form of intuitive and vivid images or vivid and realistic animations, and clearly display various simulation results to decision makers in a visual way. For example, in the simulation of oil and gas reservoir development, the migration process of underground fluids can be displayed in the form of dynamic animations through rendering technology, allowing decision makers to intuitively see the flow trend and distribution changes of oil and gas under different mining schemes; in the simulation of wellbore operations, the rendered model can clearly show the deformation of the wellbore under different pressure and temperature conditions. This not only helps decision makers to quickly and accurately understand the essence of the problem and efficiently evaluate the feasibility and advantages and disadvantages of various solutions, but also provides an intuitive and reliable basis for them to make scientific and reasonable decisions, greatly improving the efficiency and accuracy of decision-making.
(II) Technical Implementation
Adopting cutting-edge HTML5 and WebGL technologies, combined with the powerful three.js library and the Lego rendering engine with game-level quality, a digital twin model with high simulation effect is created in all aspects. HTML5 provides rich graphics and multimedia support, providing a good basic environment for rendering; WebGL allows hardware-accelerated 3D graphics rendering in web browsers without installing additional plug-ins; the three.js library simplifies the development process of WebGL and provides rich interfaces such as 3D objects, materials, and lights, allowing developers to quickly build complex 3D scenes; the Lego rendering engine adds realistic visual effects to the model with its excellent detail performance and realistic rendering capabilities. Through the coordinated use of these advanced technologies, the constructed model can highly restore every detail and feature of the physical entity, from the metallic luster of the device surface to the light and shadow effects of the surrounding environment, which can be presented vividly, bringing users an immersive visual experience, as if they were in a real production site.
V. Action-driven link
After completing the construction of the static model and successfully accessing the real-time data of the device, with the help of professional tools and technical support provided by the digital twin platform, the coordinated linkage of diversified and dynamic display effects between different devices can be achieved. The action drive of oil and gas reservoirs, wellbores and surface production involves many specific elements, such as fluid flow in oil and gas reservoirs, pipe movement in wellbores, start-stop and operation of surface equipment, etc. By writing a special driver script, the real-time data of the equipment is associated with the action attributes of the model. When the equipment data changes, the model can make corresponding action responses in real time. For example, when the pressure data in the oil and gas reservoir changes, the fluid flow speed and direction in the model will change accordingly; when the operating state of the surface equipment changes from start to stop, the equipment animation in the model will also stop synchronously. These elements cooperate with each other and organically synergize to present a realistic dynamic scene, vividly display the operating state and change process of the physical system, and provide users with a real-time and dynamic digital twin world to help users better understand and monitor the operation of the physical system.
VI. Core Steps of Professional Software Access
(I) Software Selection
Based on the actual deployment of professional software by the construction unit, focus on selecting professional software closely related to oil and gas reservoir simulation, wellbore simulation and pipeline network simulation. With its powerful professional functions and rich industry experience, these professional software can provide more accurate and in-depth analysis and simulation support for digital twin systems. For example, in terms of reservoir simulation, CMG's STARS software, with its powerful reservoir numerical simulation capabilities, can accurately simulate the dynamic changes of oil and gas reservoirs at different stages of exploitation; in terms of wellbore simulation, Fekete's WellCat software can simulate and analyze the pressure, temperature, flow and other parameters of the wellbore in detail; in terms of pipe network simulation, Siemens' SINTEF software can perform hydraulic and thermal simulation of complex pipe networks. By selecting these professional software, the professionalism and reliability of the digital twin system are greatly improved, providing users with more scientific and authoritative decision-making support.
(II) Interface establishment
Build an efficient and stable integrated application interface between the digital twin system and the selected professional software. The interface has the excellent functions of "one-click" data extraction, format conversion and two-way data transmission, which greatly simplifies the cumbersome process of data acquisition, sorting and loading. By developing a customized interface program, the data between the digital twin system and professional software can be seamlessly connected. For example, when the user needs to view the detailed simulation results of a certain oil and gas reservoir area in the digital twin system, just click the corresponding button, the interface program can automatically extract the required data from the professional software, convert it into a format that the digital twin system can recognize, and display it in real time on the user interface; at the same time, when the user adjusts a simulation parameter in the digital twin system, the interface program can transmit these changes to the professional software in real time, re-simulate and calculate, and feed back the latest results to the digital twin system. This efficient linkage mechanism realizes the seamless connection and efficient linkage between the digital twin system and professional software, provides strong technical support for the display, browsing and operation interaction of the digital twin system, and greatly improves the user's work efficiency and operation experience.
VII. Core Steps of Business Process Construction
(I) Process Design
Closely around the business goals of the digital twin system, carefully design detailed, practical and highly targeted workflows. Taking oil and gas production as an example, from the exploration and discovery of oil and gas, to the formulation of mining plans, to the monitoring and optimization of the production process, every link has been carefully sorted out and planned. With the help of professional business process software tools, such as IBM's Business Process Manager, rapid deployment and efficient implementation of processes can be achieved. Through visual process modeling, the entire process from the initial design concept to the final landing configuration is clearly and intuitively presented, allowing users to clearly see the input, output and execution logic of each process node, ensuring that every link of the process can be clearly controlled and effectively managed. For example, in the production and injection allocation business process, through visual modeling tools, the entire process path from the geological department providing reservoir data, to the production department formulating the production and injection allocation plan, to the on-site implementation and data feedback is clarified, making the collaboration between departments smoother and greatly improving work efficiency.
(II) Technical support
Take Flowable as an example. As an important branch of Activiti, it is a lightweight business workflow engine written in Java. This engine is not only highly compatible with activiti, but also provides good support for Spring and Spring Boot frameworks, and can be flexibly deployed in any Java environment. With Flowable, you can achieve refined management of the entire life cycle of business processes from modeling, design, to operation and monitoring. By defining the process model file, use the BPMN2.0 standard language to describe each link and flow rules of the business process; in the design stage, use the designer tool provided by Flowable to intuitively draw process graphics; in the operation stage, the Flowable engine can automatically perform tasks according to the process model. The operation status of the process, task execution status and other information can be viewed in real time through the management interface provided by Flowable. In addition, based on the BPMN2.0/BPEL standard specification, it provides visual support for the entire life cycle of the business process. For example, in the key business process of production and injection, users in different positions can smoothly realize the flow of business processes based on the digital twin system, and call various functions of professional software on demand to ensure the efficient achievement of business goals. This process management method based on standard specifications makes process integration between different systems easier and improves the scalability and interoperability of the entire business process.
VIII. Data-driven analysis link
Taking the oil well production measurement model as an example, based on massive historical oil well production data, using advanced artificial intelligence machine learning algorithms, to build an accurate and reliable production calculation model. First, the historical oil well production data is cleaned and preprocessed to remove outliers and noise data to ensure the quality and reliability of the data. Then, select appropriate machine learning algorithms, such as support vector machines, random forests, etc., and establish a mathematical model between production and these factors based on multiple factors such as the geological conditions, production processes, and equipment parameters of the oil well. Through a large amount of data training and model optimization, the model can accurately predict the production of the oil well. When new production data is entered into the system in real time, the real-time production calculation module deployed based on the model can quickly and accurately calculate the latest production of the oil well, and display the results in real time on the display interface of the digital twin system. At the same time, combined with data analysis tools such as Tableau, the production data is visualized and analyzed to generate trend charts, comparison charts, etc., to provide timely and reliable data support for production decisions, help enterprise managers to promptly discover problems in the production process, adjust production strategies, achieve refined management and optimization of production operations, and improve the economic benefits and market competitiveness of enterprises.
IX. Core Steps: Overall Interface Layout Design and Development
(I) Design Content
The construction of the display interface covers several key aspects, including careful planning of the overall layout, ingenious design of the view angle, reasonable combination of basic models, realistic rendering of environmental effects, creative development of roaming effects, and customized design of two-dimensional reports. In the overall layout planning, the user's operating habits and business needs are fully considered, and the commonly used functional modules and information display areas are placed in a conspicuous and easy-to-operate position; in terms of view perspective design, a variety of perspective switching functions are provided, such as bird's-eye view, close-up view, 360-degree panoramic view, etc., to meet the user's observation needs for different scenes and details; the reasonable combination of basic models is to integrate different types of models, such as oil and gas reservoir models, wellbore models, ground equipment models, etc., according to the actual spatial position and logical relationship to form a complete digital twin scene; the realistic rendering of environmental effects enhances the realism and immersion of the scene by adding light and shadow effects, weather simulation, etc.; the creative development of roaming effects allows users to roam freely in the digital twin scene through devices such as mouse or handle, and feel the on-site environment as if they were there; the customized design of two-dimensional reports generates various data reports according to the specific needs of users, such as production reports, equipment operation reports, etc., to provide users with detailed data statistics and analysis results. Through fine polishing and optimization of these aspects, a user interface with complete functions, convenient operation and good user experience is created to meet the user's diverse operation needs for the digital twin system.
(II) Layout Example
In typical oil and gas production scenario applications, the digital twin interface usually adopts a layout method that displays the production equipment list on the left and the specific production status information on the right. Users only need to click on the corresponding equipment in the list on the left, and detailed production cycle or historical production data and other information will pop up quickly on the right. The main interface is mainly used to display the core content of the digital twin, such as the three-dimensional model of the oil and gas reservoir, the real-time working condition simulation of the wellbore, etc., and provide users with convenient operation interaction areas, such as parameter adjustment buttons, simulation control buttons, etc. Through this layout method, users can quickly locate the required equipment, view detailed information, and monitor and adjust the production process in real time, so as to achieve efficient interaction between users and the digital twin system, improve users' efficiency and satisfaction with the system, and provide strong support for the intelligent management of oil and gas production.
In the actual project implementation process, the action drive module can flexibly decide whether to design or develop the action effects of related equipment and fluids according to actual needs. The data storage and data-driven analysis modules also need to be designed and developed according to the specific needs of the business. If the project only requires simple display functions, the relevant steps of these two modules can be appropriately omitted to optimize project costs and implementation cycles, and ensure the rational allocation and efficient use of project resources.