StatoilHydro recently acquired PetrelRE (Petrel Reservoir Engineering) as a central software application in pre- and post processing for reservoir simulation using the Eclipse simulators. The role PetrelRE with respect to Petrel as it has been known thus far is that PetrelRE is a module in a software system that spans from Geophysics, through Geology, to Reservoir Engineering and simulation. PetrelRE replaces a range of same vendor (Schlumberger Information Solutions) applications previously used for these tasks, and is also an alternative for other suppliers of tools in the relevant workflows in reservoir simulation.
PetrelRE is primarily a data handling and management application, but has a role in several important computational tasks also. Implementation of a new tool in the interface between the reservoir simulator, official databases and other applications in the overall reservoir modelling workflow brings several challenges. We examine and discuss the following aspects of using PetrelRE in a modelling and simulation environment in StatoilHydro:

• Single vs multi user projects
• External data requirements, links to official databases
• Internal data management requirements, single and multiple realisations
• Compatibility issues, import and conversion of pre-PetrelRE simulation projects to PetrelRE
• Archiving of official model versions
• Use of PetrelRE as a launch pad for reservoir simulation on the grid computing system
• Dynamic linking of PetrelRE to other applications and vica versa. Plug-ins.

Short Bio:

Hafsteinn has 31 years experience in the oil industry, from both the service/supply and operator sector. He has worked in Norway and internationally in petrophysics, production and reservoir engineering, in both managerial and technical positions,. For the last 18 years he has been in StatoilHydro, formerly Statoil. He is currently Leading Advisor, Reservoir Management in the sector for Petroleum Engineering and Improved Oil Recovery.