Streamline Trajectory Calculation from Finite Difference Simulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing fluid flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs, such as those described in U.S. Patent Number 7,164,990, do not effectively utilize finite difference flow simulation results for computing streamlines or streamline trajectories, which are essential for optimizing oil and gas production.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to calculate streamline trajectories using cell-based flow simulation results, involving the initialization of seed points within a simulation grid cell, computation of velocity vectors, and incremental distance selection to trace streamlines until reaching production, injection wells, or stagnation regions, implemented through a computer-executable program.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional streamline simulation is used to compute streamlines from pressure field, then streamline trajectories can be obtained, but the method cannot effectively utilize finite difference flow simulation results and requires separate streamline simulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to utilize finite difference flow simulation resultsVSAvoidrequirement for separate streamline simulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the streamline computation process with finite difference flow simulation by directly utilizing the velocity field and pressure gradients already calculated during finite difference simulation. This integration eliminates the need for separate streamline simulation while enabling streamline trajectory calculation from finite difference results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the finite difference simulation results serve multiple purposes: both for flow simulation analysis and for streamline trajectory computation. By extracting velocity vectors and pressure gradients from the finite difference simulation, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring additional dedicated streamline simulation resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If streamline techniques are applied without conventional streamline simulation, then computational efficiency is improved, but the method to compute streamlines from finite difference results must be developed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidmethod development complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary computation of velocity vectors and pressure gradients during the finite difference simulation phase. These pre-computed values are then directly utilized for streamline trajectory calculation, eliminating the need for separate computation and improving overall computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces velocity vectors as an intermediary element that bridges finite difference simulation results and streamline trajectory computation. By computing velocity vectors from pressure gradients during finite difference simulation, the system creates a convenient intermediary that enables straightforward streamline calculation without requiring complex method development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2223126B1Systems and methods for utilizing cell based flow simulation results to calculate streamline trajectories

Publication Date: 2018.08.01 LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORP

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AI summary

Systems and methods for utilizing finite difference simulation results to compute streamline trajectories, which may be used to analyze the results with other streamline techniques.