Three-Media Reservoir Graph Modeling for Fluid Flow Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately model reservoirs with complex structures comprising three interlocking media - a porous matrix, surface discontinuities, and conduits - while respecting computational constraints and simulating fluid flow phenomena.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method to build a graph model from a three-dimensional meshed model, representing reservoirs with three media, using a finite volume resolution method, where nodes correspond to the media and connections have associated transmissibility values, enabling computation of a flow field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a meshed model conforming to surface discontinuities and conduits is used to represent reservoirs with three media, then the accuracy of representing complex reservoir structures is improved, but the complexity of the model and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is segmented into three distinct media (porous matrix, surface discontinuities, conduits), each represented by nodes in the graph model. This segmentation allows complex interactions between different media to be captured while maintaining a simplified computational representation through the graph structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A graph model serves as an intermediary between the complex 3D meshed model and the computational flow field simulation. The graph model translates the geometric complexity of the mesh into a simplified topological representation with nodes and connections, reducing computational burden while preserving essential structural relationships.
2Measurement precision
If the Finite Element method is used for simulation, then the ability to represent surface discontinuities and conduits is improved, but the ability to account for complex interactions between matrix volumes, discontinuities, and conduits is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the Finite Element method with a graph-based finite volume approach. Instead of using continuous differential equations over mesh elements, the system uses discrete graph nodes and connections to represent fluid flow interactions. This substitution enables explicit accounting of complex interactions between different media while maintaining the ability to represent surface discontinuities and conduits.
3Productivity
If a graph model with nodes and connections is generated from the meshed model, then the computational efficiency and resource usage are improved, but the complexity of model generation and parameter assignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The graph model is generated in advance from the 3D meshed model, pre-processing the complex geometric data into a simplified topological representation. This preliminary action creates a computationally efficient structure that can be used for rapid flow field simulations without repeatedly processing the original complex mesh geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The model transformation involves changing parameters from geometric representations (vertices, edges, faces in the mesh) to topological representations (nodes and connections in the graph). This parameter transformation simplifies the computational representation while preserving the essential structural information needed for fluid flow simulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of building a model of a reservoir that comprises three media including a porous matrix, surface discontinuities within the porous matrix, and conduits within the porous matrix. The method comprises obtaining a three-dimensional meshed model representing the reservoir, the meshed model comprising a plurality of three-dimensional polyhedrons conforming to surface discontinuities and conduits within the reservoir, a surface discontinuity being represented by a 2D meshed surface where each cell of the surface is a face of a 3D polyhedron, and each conduit being represented by a 1D meshed line where each cell of the line is an edge of a polyhedron. A graph model is generated, including a plurality of nodes and connections between adjacent nodes, wherein each node corresponds to a selected one among the three media and is associated with a set of parameters including geometrical parameters and permeability.