Mixed finite element method for miscible displacement problems in porous media
Effective numerical simulation of many EOR problems requires very accurate approximation of the Darcy velocities of the respective fluids. In this paper the authors describe a new method for the accurate determination of the Darcy velocity of the total fluid in the miscible displacement of one incompressible fluid by another in a porous medium. The new mixed finite-element procedure solves for both the pressure and velocity of the total fluid simultaneously as a system of first-order partial differential equations. By solving for u=(-K/..mu..) p as one term, we minimize the difficulties occurring in standard methods caused by differentiation or differencing of p and multiplication by rough coefficients k/..mu... By using mixed finite elements for the pressure equation coupled in a sequential method with a finite element procedure for the concentration of the invading fluid, we are able to treat a variety of problems with variable permeabilities, different mobility ratios, and a fairly general location of injection and production wells. Mixed finite-element methods also produce minimal grid-orientation effect. Computational results on a variety of two-dimensional (2D) problems are presented.
- Research Organization:
- Exxon Production Research Co.
- OSTI ID:
- 6228346
- Journal Information:
- SPEJ, Soc. Pet. Eng. J.; (United States), Vol. 24:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
FLOW MODELS
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
OIL WELLS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DARCY LAW
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW RATE
GEOLOGIC MODELS
INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOW
POROSITY
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
SWEEP EFFICIENCY
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
ENGINEERING
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
RECOVERY
SIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production