An iterative representer-based scheme for data inversion in reservoir modeling

In this paper, we develop a mathematical framework for data inversion in reservoir models. A general formulation is presented for the identification of uncertain parameters in an abstract reservoir model described by a set of nonlinear equations. Given a finite number of measurements of the state and prior knowledge of the uncertain parameters, an iterative representer-based scheme (IRBS) is proposed to find improved parameters. In this approach, the representer method is used to solve a linear data assimilation problem at each iteration of the algorithm. We apply the theory of iterative regularization to establish conditions for which the IRBS will converge to a stable approximation of a solution to the parameter identification problem. These theoretical results are applied to the identification of the second-order coefficient of a forward model described by a parabolic boundary value problem. Numerical results are presented to show the capabilities of the IRBS for the reconstruction of hydraulic conductivity from the steady-state of groundwater flow, as well as the absolute permeability in the single-phase Darcy flow through porous media