Grid orientation effects and the use of orthogonal curvilinear coordinates in reservoir simulation
Grid orientation effects in reservoir simulation have recently received considerable attention. Several authors have proposed methods to reduce or to eliminate these effects. The proposed methods, however, require reprogramming of simulators based on standard techniques. The reprogramming effort can be considerable if the numerical model is highly complex, such as in steamflood simulation. We investigated an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system which essentially eliminates the problem of grid orientation. With no reprogramming, this computing grid can be used readily in existing simulators. We have used such grids 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. We conclude that orthogonal curvilinear grids can be easily used to estimate pattern flood performance without program modification.
- OSTI ID:
- 7308065
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-761008-50
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
The application of Curvilinear coordinate systems to predict the behavior of pattern waterfloods in the Lekhwair oil field, Oman
An effective method to reduce grid orientation effects in steamflood simulations