Pseudo-Phase Relative Permeability Curves for Reservoir Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reservoir modeling involving multiphase flows is complex and time-consuming due to the challenges of simulating interfaces between phases, requiring a greater understanding of fluid properties and longer simulation times compared to single-phase flows.
Innovation Solution
The method employs pseudo-phase single flow relative permeability curves to approximate multiphase flow simulations, treating relative permeability curves as synthesized signals to validate static models with production history and determine hydraulic conductivity for different flow regimes, reducing simulation time and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiphase flow simulation is performed to accurately model reservoir production, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but simulation time and computational complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates pseudo-phase relative permeability curves that copy the essential behavior of multiphase flow systems. Instead of simulating multiple phases simultaneously, the invention uses single-phase simulations with pseudo-relative permeability curves that replicate multiphase flow characteristics, achieving accurate production modeling without the computational burden of full multiphase simulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the critical flow behavior characteristics from complex multiphase systems and represents them through simplified pseudo-phase curves. By taking out only the essential relative permeability relationships and representing them in a single-phase context, the method maintains measurement precision while dramatically reducing simulation time
2Reliability
If multiphase flow simulation is performed to accurately model reservoir production, then reliability of production history matching is improved, but device complexity and understanding requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex multiphase flow problem into a single-phase equivalent by changing the representation parameters. Instead of modeling multiple phases with complex interfacial dynamics, the invention uses pseudo-relative permeability curves that encode multiphase behavior in single-phase parameters, reducing the complexity of fluid property understanding while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pseudo-relative permeability curves serve as an intermediary that bridges complex multiphase flow behavior and simple single-phase simulation. These curves act as a mediator that translates complicated multiphase relationships into forms that can be handled by straightforward single-phase simulators, reducing device complexity while preserving reliability
3Measurement precision
If traditional multiphase simulation methods are used, then accurate fluid property characterization is achieved, but productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention copies the essential fluid property relationships from multiphase systems into pseudo-phase representations. By creating pseudo-relative permeability curves that replicate the critical flow behavior, the method maintains accurate fluid property characterization while enabling faster single-phase simulations, thereby improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex multiphase simulation problem into separate single-phase simulations with pseudo-relative permeability adjustments. This segmentation allows each simulation to run independently and efficiently while collectively capturing the full multiphase behavior, significantly improving computational productivity
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed embodiments include a method, apparatus, and computer program product for approximating multiphase flow reservoir production simulation. For example, one disclosed embodiment includes a system that includes at least one processor and memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least one processor performs operations that includes generating a set of pseudo-phase production relative permeability curves; receiving production rate history data; receiving simulation configuration parameters; performing flow simulation using the set of pseudo-phase production relative permeability curves; determining an optimal matching pseudo-phase production simulation result that best matches the production rate history data; and performing relative permeability inversion using signal processing analysis of production rate history data to approximate relative permeability curve descriptions with quantified uncertainty.