Events

Below are the details for the Claude R. Hocott Lectureship in Petroleum Engineering for this Monday: 

• Date and Time: Monday, November 16 at 3:00 p.m.

• Speaker:  Dr. Srikanta Mishra, Institute Fellow and Chief Scientist (Energy)

• Seminar Title: “Data-Driven Modeling: Premises, Promises, Perils”

• Location: CPE 2.204

• Extra: Refreshments and cookies will be provided

Abstract:

Big data analytics and data-driven modeling have become quite the buzzword in recent years.  Their growing application in E&P operations promises to usher in exciting new developments related to: (1) acquiring and managing data in large volumes, of different varieties, and at high velocities, and (2) using statistical techniques to “mine” the data and discover hidden patterns of association and relationships in large, complex, multivariate datasets.  The ultimate goal is to develop data-driven insights for understanding and optimizing the performance of petroleum reservoirs.  However, the subject remains a mystery to most petroleum engineers and geoscientists because of the statistics-heavy jargon and the use of complex algorithms.

This talk will provide a “gentle” introduction to data-driven modeling by focusing on: (a) easy-to-understand descriptions of the commonly-used concepts and techniques, (b) case studies demonstrating practical applications, and (c) honest appraisal of challenges and potential pitfalls. The first example to be discussed involves building robust predictive models for oil production in an unconventional reservoir using well architecture and completion data as predictors.  The second example involves the ability to predict the presence or absence of vugular zones in carbonate reservoirs based only on a standard suite of electric logs.  The third example involves building a data-driven model from historical injection-production data in waterflooding operations for forecasting and optimization of injection rates/locations. 

Biography:

Dr. Srikanta Mishra is Institute Fellow and Chief Scientist (Energy) at Battelle Memorial Institute, the world's largest independent contract R&D organization.  He is responsible for developing and managing a geoscience-oriented technology portfolio related to computational modeling and data analytics for geological carbon storage, shale gas development and improved oil recovery projects.  He joined Battelle in 2010 after a distinguished 20+ year career in geosystems consulting and applied research, including an appointment as Adjunct Professor of Petroleum Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin.  He is the author of almost 200 technical publications, and has served as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Petroleum Science & Engineering.  He is also the author of a forthcoming book on statistical modeling and data analytics for the petroleum geosciences to be published by Elsevier.  He holds a PhD degree from Stanford University, an MS degree from University of Texas and a BTech degree from Indian School of Mines – all in Petroleum Engineering.