Grid orientation effects and the use of orthogonal curvilinear coordinates in reservoir simulation

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6750779

Robertson, G E; Woo, P T

Grid orientation effects in reservoir simulation recently have received considerable attention. Several authors have proposed methods to reduce or to eliminate these effects. However, the proposed methods require reprograming of simulators based on standard techniques. The reprograming effort can be considerable if the numerical model is highly complex, such as in steamflood simulation. An orthogonol curvilinear coordinate system was investigated which essentially eliminates the problem of grid orientation. With no reprograming, this computing grid can be used readily in existing simulators. Such grids have been used to study pattern steamfloods and pattern waterfloods. The results are compared in detail with those obtained by using conventional Cartesian grids. Grid orientation is shown to have a more pronounced effect on the saturation fronts than oil recovery, whether in a steamflood or a waterflood. It is concluded that orthogonol curvilinear grids can be easily used to estimate pattern flood performance without program modification. (12 refs.)

• Research Organization: Chevron Oil Co
• OSTI ID: 6750779
• Report Number(s): CONF-761008-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE-6100
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200 -- Mathematics & Computers
COORDINATES
ELECTRODES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
GRIDS
MATHEMATICS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
ORIENTATION
RECOVERY
SIMULATION
STEAM INJECTION
THERMAL RECOVERY
USES
WATERFLOODING