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This Supercomputer Could Predict Subsurface Oil & Gas Flows
Design Team • February 16, 2016
The installation of a new super computer at the National Center for Atmospheric Research-Wyoming Supercomputing Center in Cheyenne may have some ramifications for scientists studying subsurface oil and gas flows. The new system was sourced through a comprehensive procurement process and deemed to be the best option for the study of earth sciences and atmospheric systems
THE CHEYENNE SUPERCOMPUTING SYSTEM
Developed by Silicon Graphics International Corp in partnership wit DataDirect Networks, the new Cheyenne supercomputing system will be capable of 5.34 quadrillion calculations every second. The current leading supercomputer being used for earth sciences and atmospheric research has less than half of this speed; thus, the adoption of Cheyenne will be able to advance the data research of these disciplines considerably. A significant amount of atmospheric research and earth science is done through large volumes of calculations and data; the faster these sets of data are analyzed, the faster conclusions can be developed. Statistical analysis, big data research, and pattern recognition are all used throughout these disciplines as a means of making predictions regarding solar storms, meteorological events, and even oil and gas flows.
PREDICTING SUBSURFACE OIL AND GAS FLOWS
The new Cheyenne supercomputer is expected to be able to make many advanced predictions, ranging from geomagnetic storms to oil and gas flows. The supercomputer will be able to run complex geological and atmospheric models and simulations, which can be designed to predict the likelihood of subsurface oil and gas flows through known data. This information could then be used to locate these subsurface oil and gas flows with a lessened need for manual exploration. With the increased power of Cheyenne, extensive, accurate modeling could be completed in a variety of areas that are likely to have oil and gas flows present.
This supercomputing system could thus become incredibly beneficial to companies within the oil and gas industry, and could reduce the amount of cost and time involved in discovering new oil and gas resources. Further, the supercomputing system will be able to model flows of water, oil, and gas, in order to enhance the understanding of the way these flows behave and operate, which could make it easier for researchers and developers to create new technology dedicated to finding, accessing, and recovering these vital resources.
The Cheyenne supercomputing system is another example of technological innovation that is being used to streamline and facilitate the oil and gas industry. Despite falling oil prices, the United States oil and gas industry has still remained relevant through the use of innovation and technology, by making improvements and reducing the costs related to oil and gas recovery. The Cheyenne supercomputer may be able to streamline the process for oil and gas discovery and make the discovery process more profitable, safer, and faster. For more information about the new trends in oil and gas, contact Heavy Iron Oilfield Services today.
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