Reservoir Simulation
Reservoir simulation deals with the prediction of reservoir and well responses (Fig. 1) to production and injection activities in a hydrocarbon reservoir. Our research in this area focuses on enhancing the capabilities and performances of existing simulators. Capability enhancements involve formulating new equations that can handle new scenarios that have been tested and validated in the labs mostly by the EOR research group. Performance enhancement involves speeding up the computational speed and/or reducing the storage (RAM) requirements for running simulations and performing sensitivity studies. Work in this area typically involves upscaling, multiscale simulations, domain decomposition, and improving current linear and nonlinear solvers, direct and iterative solvers, etc. Modeling geochemical interactions and ionic exchanges between injected fluids, resident fluids and rock surfaces during multiphase flow in the porous media is an integral part of our study.
Fig. 1a: Pressure response at the injectors and producer in a hydrocarbon reservoir
Fig 1b: Water cut profile at three producers in a reservoir