Generalized Mobility Model for Tube Flow and Percolation Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current models for simulating and analyzing fluid flow in complex underground reservoirs with both tube flow and percolation are limited in their ability to handle non-uniform media distributions, large-scale cavities, and the complexity of fluid flow laws, particularly in oil and gas reservoirs, where nonlinear and non-Newtonian characteristics are prevalent, and fail to accurately model transient well conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for flow simulation and transient well analysis based on generalized tube flow and percolation coupling, which defines fluid flow laws using generalized mobility models, allowing for the creation of multi-component multi-phase flow governing equations that account for convection, diffusion, adsorption, and source/sink terms, enabling the simulation of complex fluid behaviors in various reservoir conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional Darcy percolation law or single flow law models are used, then the model is simple and easy to solve, but it cannot accurately describe complex fluid flow in heterogeneous reservoirs with both tube flow and percolation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple flow laws (Darcy percolation, Forchheimer non-Darcy, Hagen-Poiseuille tube flow, and Navier-Stokes free flow) into a unified generalized mobility model. This merging allows the system to simultaneously account for percolation in porous media and tube flow in fractures/cavities, resolving the contradiction by creating a comprehensive model that maintains mathematical tractability while accurately representing complex heterogeneous reservoir conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The generalized mobility model serves multiple functions: it can describe Darcy flow, non-Darcy flow, laminar tube flow, and turbulent free flow within a single unified framework. This multi-functionality allows the same mathematical structure to handle diverse flow regimes in different reservoir zones, improving simulation accuracy without requiring separate complex models for each flow type.
2Reliability
If multiple flow laws are applied in combination for different regions, then the simulation accuracy improves, but the model construction and solving complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatially variable mobility parameter λ(x) that can take different functional forms in different regions (porous media vs. fracture/cavity zones). By changing the parameter definition rather than the fundamental equation structure, the model adapts to local flow conditions without requiring complex multi-equation systems, thus reducing overall model complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir domain is segmented into regions with different flow characteristics (porous media regions and fracture/cavity regions), each governed by appropriate flow laws within the unified generalized mobility framework. This segmentation allows targeted application of simplified models in appropriate zones while maintaining overall system accuracy, avoiding the need for complex coupling throughout the entire domain.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional percolation models are used for heterogeneous reservoirs with large-scale cavities, then the model structure is simple, but it fails to capture the dual characteristics of percolation and free flow
Solution Approach 1:
The generalized mobility λ(x) acts as an intermediary parameter that bridges percolation flow in porous media and tube/free flow in fractures and cavities. By using mobility as the unifying concept rather than treating percolation and free flow as entirely separate phenomena, the model smoothly transitions between flow regimes and accurately represents heterogeneous reservoirs with mixed flow characteristics.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the simulation of complex fluid flows, expands the application scope beyond traditional permeability or percolation coefficients, and effectively models single and multi-well flow simulations, transient pressure, and temperature analyses in complex multi-component multi-phase reservoirs, including non-Newtonian fluids and non-isothermal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The Darcy's Law is widely used in the percolation theory. Darcy's law was created by French engineer Henry Darcy in 1856 through his experiments. It becomes the basic law of percolation mechanics because of its advantages of simple proportional linear function, clear physical concept, and easy solving solutions.
Implementation Method 2
In addition to Darcy's percolation law, the Hagen-Poisenille laminar-pipe flow formula (1838) is also a linear flow law.
Implementation Method 3
S2: On the basis of generalized mobility, the multi-component multi-phase flow governing equations are established by considering convection term, diffusion term, accumulation term, adsorption term, and source/sink term
Implementation Method 4
S2: On the basis of generalized mobility, the multi-component multi-phase flow governing equations are established by considering convection term, diffusion term, accumulation term, adsorption term, and source/sink term
Implementation Method 5
S2: On the basis of generalized mobility, the multi-component multi-phase flow governing equations are established by considering convection term, diffusion term, accumulation term, adsorption term, and source/sink term
Data Source
AI summary
This invention discloses a multi-phase flow simulation analysis method based on generalized mobility, which comprises the following steps: S1: The generalized mobility describes fluid flow laws in different subset of study area by using the generalized mobility models with the same form; S2: On the basis of generalized mobility, the multi-component multi-phase flow simulation equations are established. Through solving the above mentioned multi-component multi-phase flow simulation equations, the pressure, temperature, saturation, and mole percentage of each component and each phase of multicomponent multiphase flow fluids in study area are obtained; S3: The corresponding application software are formed by using the established multi-component multi-phase flow simulation and analysis equations. The invention plays an important role in solving the single and multi-well flow simulation of complex multicomponent multiphase flow reservoirs, multi-well interference analysis, deliverability analysis, transient pressure analysis, transient rate analysis, transient temperature analysis, well test design, and permanent downhole monitoring data analysis.