PETE 455: Reservoir Simulation Lecture 1: Introduction

Instructor Information

• William Ampomah, PhD
  • Associate Professor - Petroleum Engineering, NMT
  • Section Head - REACT Research Group, PRRC/NMT

Course Agenda

• Course preliminaries
  • Dr. Ampomah's preliminaries.
• Reservoir Simulations Overview

Course Preliminaries

Introduction

• Brief introductions to course participants.

Location and Times

• Where: Online
• When: Fridays 3 PM – 5 PM
• Office hours: Contact via email: william.Ampomah@nmt.edu

Course Goals

• Understand the importance of reservoir simulation.
• Recap fluid and rock properties used in reservoir simulation.
• Grasp fundamentals of fluid flow formulation.
• Derive fluid flow equations pertinent to reservoir simulation.
• Solve fluid flow equations using finite difference solutions.
• Develop skills in using Eclipse/Petrel for reservoir simulation.

Course Expectations and Grading

Assessment Structure

• Exams: 70%
• Mid-semester Exam: 30%

Grading Scale

• A: 100 - 70
• B: 69 - 60
• C: 59 - 50
• D: 49 - 40
• F: 39 - 0

Instructor Background

Experience

• August 2025 – Present: Associate Professor, Petroleum Engineering, NMT
• November 2021 – Present: Appointed Commissioner to the Oil Conservation Commission
• July 2018 – Present: Research Engineer/Section Head, PRRC/NMT
• August 2021 – 2025: Assistant Professor, Petroleum Engineering, NMT
• April 2018 – July 2018: Research Engineer, PRRC/NMT
• May 2016 - April 2018: Research Associate, PRRC/NMT

Education

• BS in Petroleum Engineering (2009) from KNUST, Ghana
• MS in Petroleum Engineering (2012) from New Mexico Tech
• PhD in Petroleum Engineering (2016) from New Mexico Tech

Research Profile

• Publications: Over 120 total;
• Key research areas include:
  • Data Analytics
  • Subsurface Storage Optimization
  • Enhanced Oil Recovery
  • Geomechanics
• Significant publications include:
  • "Geochemical Assessment of Long-Term CO2 Storage from Core- to Field-Scale Models"
  • Studies on waterflood inefficiency and induced seismicity forecasting.
  • Published work covers a variety of impacts and methodologies related to reservoir dynamics and efficiencies.

Course References

Essential Texts

• Books:
  • Basic Applied Reservoir Simulation by T. Ertekin, J.H. Abou-Kassem, and G.R. King
  • Petroleum Reservoir Simulation by J.H. Abou-Kassem, M. Rafiqul, and Farouq Ali
  • SPE Reservoir Simulation Monograph vol. 13 by C. Mattax and R. Dalton
  • Reservoir Simulation- Mathematical Techniques in Oil Recovery by Z. Chen
  • Principles of Applied Reservoir Simulation by J.R. Fanchi

Online Resources

• SPE Petro wiki
• SPE OnePetro

Academic Integrity Guidelines

Collaborative Work Policies

• Group work is allowed; however, credit must be given to collaborators.
• Plagiarism, copying, and cheating are strictly forbidden and will result in penalties, including potential failure of the course.
• Must report unethical behavior to maintain academic integrity.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Coursework

Permissible Uses

• Generative AI tools can be utilized for:
  • Brainstorming and refining ideas
  • Fine-tuning research questions
  • Drafting outlines and organizing thoughts
  • Checking grammar and style

Prohibited Uses

• AI tools must not be used for:
  • Impersonation in classroom contexts or discussions
  • Completing group work without group consensus
  • Writing drafts or entire assignments

Course Topics

• Course Introduction
• Rock Properties
• Reservoir Fluid Properties
• Mathematical Concepts
• Basic Flow Equations
• Finite Difference Methods
• Finite Difference Solutions
• History Matching and Forecasting
• Practical Aspects of Reservoir Simulation
• Software Training on Petrel/Eclipse
• Special Topics for Graduate Students

Course Schedule

Tentative Schedule of Lectures

Overview of Reservoir Simulation

Definition and Objectives

What is Reservoir Management?

• Reservoir management refers to the application of available technology and knowledge in order to control field operations to maximize economic recovery.

Common Objectives of Reservoir Management

• Increase hydrocarbon reserves
• Maximize recovery
• Increase production rates
• Minimize capital expenditures
• Minimize operating costs

Key Terminology in Reservoir Simulation

• Reservoir:
  • The underground source of hydrocarbon fluids.
• Simulation:
  • The process of creating a model to mimic reservoir behavior.
• Mathematical Model:
  • A set of equations solving material balance, fluid flow, and phase behavior equations describing production.
• Reservoir Simulator:
  • A computer program implementing the mathematical model.

Modeling Methods in Reservoir Simulation

Method Types

• Analogical Methods:
  • Use properties of mature reservoirs that are geographically or petrophysically similar to predict performance.
• Experimental Methods:
  • Laboratory models simulating physical behavior using fluid and core samples.
• Mathematical Models:
  • Sets of differential equations describing physical processes, including material balance and analytical approaches.

Applications of Reservoir Simulation

• Understanding reservoir behavior under various conditions.
• Predicting future performance under different development scenarios.
• Evaluating alternate field development plans including necessary wells.
• Conducting sensitivity studies to identify key parameters influencing results.
• Assessing drilling and workover needs.
• Testing new recovery methods.
• Performing cost analysis and evaluating reserves.
• Designing optimized field development plans.

Situational Use of Reservoir Simulation

• Utilized when other methods fail or are insufficient.
• When reservoir simulation is more cost-effective and efficient than alternative methods.
• Validated to be more reliable in specific contexts.

Phases and Elements of Reservoir Simulation

Key Phases

• Model Building:
  • Involves project planning, data collection, model design.
• Simulation:
  • History matching and performance prediction.
• Analysis:
  • Reporting and presenting results.

Detailed Simulation Model Construction Workflow

Steps Involved

1. Field exploration and seismic interpretation to gather geological data.
2. Core analysis to evaluate rock properties.
3. Gathering production and injection data.
4. Compiling input data into a simulation model.

Types of Inputs for Reservoir Simulation

Input Types

• Static Inputs:
  • Include geological and rock properties that do not change over time.
• Dynamic Inputs:
  • Time-dependent properties such as production and injection rates.

Geomodeling Software Overview

Examples of Geomodeling Software

• GemPy - Open Source: https://www.gempy.org/
• JewelSuite - Baker Hughes: http://www.bakerhughes.com/products-and-services/reservoir-development-services/reservoir-software/jewelsuite-reservoir-modeling-software
• Various other tools including Petrel, RMS, and Gocad.

Computational Steps in the Simulation Process

General Steps

1. Start with known or assumed initial conditions.
2. Solve for pressure and saturations at new time steps using numerical methods.
3. Continue solving until the simulation period ends.

Types of Reservoir Simulation

Categories

• Uncoupled Simulation:
  • Studies the reservoir independently from surface facilities.
• Coupled Simulation:
  • Models both reservoir and surface facilities with their dynamic interdependence.

Classes of Simulation Models

• Fluid Composition-Based Models:
  • Compositional Models: Account for hydrocarbon components.
  • Black Oil Models: Do not consider changes in composition during production.
• Rock Type-Based Models:
  • Dual-porosity/Dual-permeability Models: Design for permeable fracture networks.
  • Single-porosity/Single-permeability Models: Ignore permeable fractures.
• Region of Interest Models:
  • Local Grid Refinement, Sector Model, Full Field Model.
• Goal-Oriented Models:
  • History Matching and Prediction.

Examples of Reservoir Simulators

Common Simulators and Their Uses

• MEERA - 3D, 3-phase numerical simulator.
• PumaFlow - Independent, effective for modeling waterfloods.
• Other notable simulators include IMEX, STARS, ECLIPSE, and many more with their unique features and applications.

Summary and Conclusion

Key Topics in Course

• Reservoir rock properties including porosity, permeability, compressibility, and anisotropic behavior.
• Reservoir fluid properties such as compressibility factor, solution gas-to-oil ratio, and viscosity.
• Fundamental equations including Darcy's law, conservation of mass, and multi-phase flow formulations.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding the lifecycle and methodologies of reservoir simulation, from conceptualization through execution and evaluation of results.

Accessing Course Materials

Online Resources

• Class materials available through NMT Canvas for further reference.

Here are 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) specifically related to reservoir simulation:

1. What best describes reservoir management in the context of reservoir simulation?

   • A) The study of single-phase flow.
   • B) The process of maximizing economic recovery using available technology and knowledge.
   • C) Managing surface facilities only.
   • D) A method of predicting drilling locations.

2. Which of the following is a key objective of reservoir simulation?

   • A) Increasing project costs.
   • B) Evaluating alternative field development plans.
   • C) Establishing regulations for oil drilling.
   • D) Reducing the workforce in oil fields.

3. What is a reservoir simulator?

   • A) A laboratory equipment used for testing fluid properties.
   • B) A computer program that implements mathematical models describing reservoir behavior.
   • C) A method for drilling new wells.
   • D) A theoretical concept in petroleum economics.

4. Which type of model is used for studying reservoir performance using properties of similar mature reservoirs?

   • A) Experimental Models
   • B) Analogical Models
   • C) Mathematical Models
   • D) Predictive Models

5. What type of inputs represent properties that change over time in a reservoir simulation?

   • A) Static Inputs
   • B) Dynamic Inputs
   • C) Uniform Inputs
   • D) Fixed Inputs

6. In reservoir simulation, what does the term 'history matching' refer to?

   • A) The creation of a new well.
   • B) Adjusting the simulation model to fit historical production data.
   • C) Analyzing past drilling techniques.
   • D) Developing new recovery methods.

7. What is an example of a mathematical model used in reservoir simulation?

   • A) Economic forecasting model
   • B) Material balance equations
   • C) Geological mapping
   • D) Market analysis model

8. Which kind of models do NOT account for changes in hydrocarbon composition during production?

   • A) Compositional Models
   • B) Black Oil Models
   • C) Dual-Porosity Models
   • D) Physical Models

9. What is the purpose of conducting sensitivity studies in reservoir simulation?

   • A) To ensure the accuracy of drilling logs.
   • B) To identify key parameters influencing simulation results.
   • C) To compare different drilling rigs.
   • D) To analyze market trends in oil prices.

10. Which of the following tasks is involved in the 'model building' phase of reservoir simulation?

    • A) Operating the reservoir in real-time.
    • B) Compiling input data into a simulation model.
    • C) Analyzing surface facilities only.
    • D) Conducting