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History matching is the process by which the input data to a reservoir simulation model
(geological description, fluid properties, relative permeability, etc.) are altered in such
a way to match recorded data (fluid rates, pressures, tracers, temperatures, etc.). In
essence, history matching is a model calibration exercise with the assumption that if a
model is able to reproduce the past, it might be useful to predict the future under various
development scenarios. This is the basic premise of building simulation models and history
matching them, and it is the only way engineers have to reduce the risk (of failure
or significantly suboptimal performance) associated with decisions that are made under
the inevitable backdrop of data uncertainty. The purpose of history matching has been
succinctly stated by Caers (2005): “The purpose of history matching is not just to match
history, but rather to produce models that can be used to forecast reservoir performance
The advent of detailed geologic models, the desire to address reservoir uncertainty
as it might impact development scenarios, and the advent of lower-cost and faster computers
However, the process of history matching is never likely to be fully automated because
it is not an isolated task that is easily put into a loop. Production data—an integrated
response—can never fully constrain a reservoir model and can never be uniquely deconvolved
into gridblock properties, for example. Also, dynamic data are only one part of
the picture that must be integrated with the static data to give a reliable model for forecasting.
mathematical problem that is nonunique and thus has a large (infinite?) set of
solutions.
meaning it is not easy or even possible to clearly isolate changes in the output data
• Some input parameters are stochastic in nature, particularly data describing the
geological scenario. In such cases, the parameters describing the statistics should
with large errors. These are rarely, if ever, considered in history matching.
The remaining chapters of this book will discuss the history-matching process and
associated simulation issues in more detail. The emphasis will be to highlight some of
the methods being currently employed to assist in the history-matching process and
to explain why they work and, possibly even more importantly, the limitations of the
methods.