High-Resolution Compositional Simulation of Multicontact Miscible Displacements

GRADUATE SEMINARHigh-Resolution Compositional Simulation of Multicontact Miscible DisplacementsDr. Kristian Jessen
Stanford UniversityAbstract A significant portion of the existing hydrocarbon reserves are candidates for enhanced recovery processes. Miscible/near-miscible gas injection or water alternating gas injection processes hold the potential for significant improvement of recoveries relative to primary production and water flooding. The ultimate recovery of a miscible and near-miscible gas injection scheme is a complex function of the local displacement efficiency and global sweep efficiency. Successful performance evaluation of recovery processes based on numerical calculations requires, in part, high resolution in permeability heterogeneity and appropriate representation of the phase behavior and transport properties of the fluid system. Numerical simulation of these processes is challenging because the predicted displacement efficiency is very sensitive to numerical diffusion.
In this talk, I address the challenges related to compositional simulation of multicomponent multiphase flows. First, I demonstrate the shortcomings of conventional finite difference/volume (FD) simulation approaches in one dimension (1D), using a mix of analytical solutions, standard FD calculations and high order accurate FD calculations. I show that numerical artifacts have a fluid system specific impact on the prediction of the local displacement efficiency. This behavior is a direct result of the strong nonlinear coupling between flow and phase behavior. Next, I extend the analysis to 2D and 3D displacement processes. Physical dispersion is included in the model to delineate the grid resolution required to resolve the physics at a given simulation length scale. I present calculation examples for multicontact miscible gas/oil displacements and enhanced condensate recovery processes by gas injection/cycling. Finally, I conclude with a discussion of the future challenges and research directions in the field of compositional simulation.Monday, February 27, 2006
VKC 207
1:00 p.m.The Scientific Community is Cordially Invited

Location: Von Kleinsmid Center For International & Public Affairs (VKC) - 207

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Petra Pearce