Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics

SOLUTION
Examination paper for TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation

Academic contact during examination: Jon Kleppe

Phone: 91897300/73594925

Examination date: June 5, 2015

Examination time (from-to): 0900-1300
Permitted examination support material: D/No printed or hand-written support
material is allowed. A specific basic calculator is allowed.
Other information:

Language: English
Number of pages:

Number of pages enclosed: 0

Checked by:
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Signature

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 2 of 15

Question 1 (12 points)

a) Make sketches of Black Oil fluid properties Bo , Bg , Bw , Rso , o , g , w . Label bubble
point pressure, and saturated and undersaturated regions.
b) Express reservoir densities for the three fluids in terms of Bo , Bg , Bw , Rso , oS , gS , wS .
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

Express the density of the part of the reservoir oil that remains liquid at the surface.
Express the density of the part of the reservoir oil that becomes gas at the surface.
Express the gas density using real gas equation.
Write the definition for fluid compressibility.
Write an expression for pore compressibility

Solution
a)
Bw

Bg

Bo

b)

Rso

oS + gsRso
Bo

g = gS
Bg
o =

w =

wS
Bw

c)

oL =

oS
Bo

e)

PV = nZRT .

g = gS

f)

gsRso
Bo

d)

oG =

g)

1
c r = ( )( )T
P

P ZS
Z PS

1 V
c f = ( )( )T
V P

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 3 of 15

Question 2 (12 points)

For a completely water-wet system, make sketches of saturation functions (including labels
for important points/areas)
a) Oil-water system: imbibition and drainage krw , krow , Pcow vs. Sw
b) Oil-gas system: imbibition and drainage krg , krog , Pcog vs. Sg
c) Typical contours of three-phase kro in a ternary (triangular) diagram (axes So , Sw , Sg )
Solution
a)
Drainage curves
Kr

Pcow
oil
water
Pcd
Sw
1.0

Swir

1.0

Swir

Sw

Imbibition curves
Kr

Pcow
oil
water

Swir

1-Sor

Sw

Swir

1-Sor

Sw

b)
Pcog
Kr
Drainage
process

gas
oil

So =1

Pdog
Sorg

1-Sgc

So

Sorg

1.0

So

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 4 of 15

Pcog
Kr
Imbibition
process
oil

oil
gas

So =Sor

Sorg

1-Sgro

So

Sorg

1-Sgro

So

c)
100% gas
minimum liquid
saturation under
gas displacement

Sor

0.1
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8

100% water

100% oil
minimum oil plus
gas saturation under
water displacement

Swir

Question 3 (8 points)
Explain briefly the following terms as applied to reservoir simulation (short sentence and/or a
formula for each):
a) Control volume
b) Mass balance
c) Taylor series
d) Numerical dispersion
e) Explicit
f) Implicit
g) Stability
h) Upstream weighting
i) Variable bubble point
j) Harmonic average
k) Transmissibility
l) Storage coefficient
m) Coefficient matrix
n) IMPES
o) Fully implicit
p) Cross section
q) Coning
r) PI
s) Stones relative permeability models
t) Discretization

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015
u)
v)
w)
x)
y)
z)

page 5 of 15

History matching
Prediction
Black Oil
Compositional
Dual porosity
Dual permeability

Solution
a) Control volume small volume used in derivation of continuity equation
b) Mass balance principle applied to control volume in derivation of continuity
equation
c) Taylor series expansion formula used for derivation of difference approximations
h
h2
h3
(or formula: f (x + h) = f (x) + f (x) +
f (x) +
f (x) + ....)
1!
2!
3!
d) Numerical dispersion error term associated with finite difference approximations
derived by use of Taylor series
e) Explicit as applied to discretization of diffusivity equation: time level used in
Taylor series approximation is t
f) Implicit as applied to discretization of diffusivity equation: time level used in
Taylor series approximation is t+Dt
g) Stability as applied to implicit and explicit discretization of diffusivity equation:
c
2
explicit form is conditional stable for t 1
, while implicit form is
2 k (x)
unconditionally stable
h) Upstream weighting descriptive term for the choice of mobility terms in
transmissibilities
i) Variable bubble point term that indicates that the discretization og undersaturated
flow equation includes the possibility for bubble point to change, such as for the
case of gas injection in undersaturated oil
j) Harmonic average averaging method used for permeabilities when flow is in series
k) Transmissibility flow coefficient in discrete equations that when muliplied with
pressure difference between grid blocks yields flow rate.
l) Storage coefficient flow coefficient in discrete equations that when muliplied with
pressure change or saturation change in a time step yields mass change in grid
block
m) Coefficient matrix the matrix of coefficient in the set of linear equations
n) IMPES an approximate solution method for two or three phase equations where all
coefficients and capillary pressures are computed at time level of previous time
step when generating the coefficient matrix
o) Fully implicit an solution method for two or three phase equations where all
coefficients and capillary pressures are computed at the current time level
generating the coefficient matrix. Thus, iterations are required on the solution.
p) Cross section an x-z section of a reservoir
q) Coning the tendency of gas and water to form a cone shaped flow channel into the
well due to pressure drawdown in the close neigborhood.
r) PI the productivity index of a well

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 6 of 15

s) Stones relative permeability models methods for generating 3-phase relative

permeabilities for oil based on 2-phase data
t) Discretization converting of a contineous PDE to discrete form
u) History matching in simulation the adjustment of reservoir parameters so that the
computed results match observed data.
v) Prediction computing future performance of reservoir, normally following a history
matching.
w) Black Oil simplified hydrocarbon description model which includes two phases (oil,
gas) and only two components (oil, gas), with mass transfer between the
components through the solution gas-oil ratio parameter.
x) Compositional detailed hydrocarbon description model which includes two phases
but N components (methane, ethane, propane, ...).
y) Dual porosity denotes a reservoir with two porosity systems, normally a fractured
reservoir
z) Dual permeability denotes a reservoir with two permeabilities (block-to-block
contact) in addition to two porosities, normally a fractured reservoir
Question 4 (12 points)
The discretized form of the left hand side of the oil equation may be written in terms of
transmissibility and pressure differences, as:

k kr o Po
Txoi +1/ 2 (Po i+1 Po i ) + Txoi 1/ 2 (Po i1 Po i )
x o Bo x i
Using the following transmissibility as example,
2ki+1/2 oi+1/2
Txoi+1/2 =
xi ( xi+1 + xi )
a) What is the averaging method normally applied to absolute permeability between grid
blocks ( ki+1/2 )? Why? Write the expression for average permeability between grid blocks
(i+1) and (i).
b) Write an expression for the selection of the conventional upstream mobility term ( oi+1/2 )

c)

d)
e)
f)

for use in the transmissibility term of the oil equation above for flow between the grid
blocks (i+1) and (i).
Make a sketch of a typical Buckley-Leverett saturation profile resulting from the
displacement of oil by water (i.e., analytical solution). Then, show how the corresponding
profile, if calculated in a numerical simulation model, typically is influenced by:
choice of mobilities between the grid blocks (Sketch curves for saturations computed
with upstream or average mobility terms, respectively).
time step size
capillary pressure

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 7 of 15

Solution
a) Harmonic average is used because it properly represents flow in series across blocks of
different permeabilities. It may be derived from Darcy's law (steady flow).
xi + xi+1
ki+1/2 =
xi xi+1
+
ki
ki+1
oi +1 if Poi +1 Poi
oi if P oi +1 < Poi

b) oi +1/ 2 =
c)
d)

Qw

Sw
1-Swir

Swir

exact
average
upstream

e) On their sketch: the smaller time step, the closer to the exact solution
f) On their sketch: capillary pressure will give dispersion at the front, and a minor deviation
from the exact solution behind the front
Question 5 (6 points)
In the Exercise 3, the effect of gas injection in under-saturated oil is investigated. Two
different cases (swelling and no-swelling case) are compared.
a) What is the difference between these two cases in terms of Rso (Explain with plots of Bo
and Rso vs. pressure).
b) How do these two cases influence the GOR and field oil production (Explain with plots
of GOR and field oil production vs. time).

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

Solution
a)

b)

page 8 of 15

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 9 of 15

Question 6 (5 points)
For two-dimensional (x,y), one phase flow, the pressure equation is:

ei, j Pi, j 1 + ai, j Pi1, j + bi, j Pi, j + c i, j Pi+1, j + f i, j Pi, j +1 = di, j

i = 1,N x , j = 1,N y

applicable to the following grid system:

i
1

5
4

10

11
4

12

13

14

15

16

17
4

18

19

20

21

22

23
4

24

25

26

27

28

29
4

30

31

32

33

34

35
4

36

37

38

39

40

41
4

42

43

44

45

46

47
4

48

List the block number for all gridblocks where:

ai, j = 0
ci, j = 0
ei, j = 0
fi, j = 0

Solution

ai, j = 0 : 1, 7,13,19, 25, 31, 37, 43

ci, j = 0 : 6,12,18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48
ei, j = 0 : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
fi, j = 0 : 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48

6
4

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 10 of 15

Question 7 (10 points)

Below are grids for two 6 by 8 grids, one in x-y rectangular coordinates, and one in r-Q
cylindrical coordinates. The pressure equation for one-phase flow for both systems is:

ei, j Pi, j1 + ai, j Pi1, j + bi, j Pi, j + c i, j Pi+1, j + f i, j Pi, j +1 = di, j

i = 1,...,N1,

j = 1,...,N 2

Sketch the coefficient matrix for both systems (approximately, with lines and the appropriate
coefficient name). Show the key differences between the two on the cylindrical coefficient
matrix.

Solution
Coefficient matrix for rectangular system

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 11 of 15

Coefficient matrix for cylindrical system. Key difference from rectangular system are the
connections between blocks where j=1 with blocks where j=8

Question 8 (16 points)

The pressure equation for single-phase slightly compressible flow is
TP t+t = B
Where T is the transmissibility matrix. For an n-cell simulation the pressure vector is

P t+t

P1

.
.
.

.
Pn

t+t

In the following you are to show the structure of T for cases a d below. Show the nonzero
parts of T with an x and the zero parts with an o.
(make a 10x10 grid for each case and enter x or o in the squares)

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 12 of 15

Solution

a)
x
x
o
o
o
x
o
o
o
o

c)
x
x
x
o
o
o
x
o
o
o

o
x
x
x
o
o
o
x
o
o

o
o
x
x
x
o
o
o
x
o

o
o
o
x
x
o
o
o
o
x

x
o
o
o
o
x
x
o
o
o

o
x
o
o
o
x
x
x
o
o

o
o
x
o
o
o
x
x
x
o

o
o
o
x
o
o
o
x
x
x

o
o
o
o
x
o
o
o
x
x

b)
x
x
x
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

x
o
o
o
o
x
o
x
o
o

o
x
o
o
o
x
x
o
x
o

o
o
x
o
o
o
x
x
o
x

o
o
o
o
o
x
o
o
x
o

o
o
o
o
o
o
x
o
x
x

x
x
o
x
o
o
o
o
o
o

x
x
x
o
x
o
x
o
o
o

o
o
o
x
o
o
o
x
o
o

o
x
o
x
x
o
o
o
x
o

o
o
x
o
x
o
o
o
o
x

x
x
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

o
o
x
x
o
x
o
o
o
o

o
o
x
x
x
o
x
o
o
o

x
o
o
x
x
o
o
x
o
o

o
o
x
o
o
x
x
o
o
o

o
o
o
x
o
x
x
x
o
x

o
o
o
o
x
o
x
x
x
o

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
x
x
o

o
o
o
o
o
o
x
o
o
x

d)
x
x
o
x
o
o
o
o
o
o

x
o
x
x
x
o
o
o
o
o

o
x
x
x
o
x
o
o
o
o

o
o
x
o
x
x
x
o
o
o

o
o
o
x
x
x
o
x
o
o

o
o
o
o
x
o
x
x
x
o

o
o
o
o
o
x
x
x
o
x

o
o
o
o
o
o
x
o
x
x

o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
x
x

x
x
o
o
x
o
o
o
o
o

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 13 of 15

Question 9 (11 points)

a) Write the oil-water equations (one-dimensional, horizontal flow) in discrete form using
transmissibilities and storage coefficients, including production/injection terms.
b) What are the primary variables (unknowns)?
c) What is the main challenge in solving the equations for pressures and saturations?
d) What are the assumptions for solving the equations using the simplified IMPES method?
e) List the advantages and disadvantages of IMPES reservoir simulation compared to fully
implicit reservoir simulation in terms of accuracy, stability and cost.
f) In what kind of problems may the IMPES method not be well suited for?
Solution
a)

T xoi +1 2 ( Poi+1 Poi ) + T xoi1 2 ( Poi 1 Poi ) q oi

= C pooi Poi Poit + C swoi Sw i Sw ti ,

i = 1, N

Txwi+1 2 ( Poi +1 Poi ) ( Pcowi +1 Pcowi ) + Txwi1 2 ( Poi 1 Poi ) ( Pcowi1 Pcowi ) qwi

= C powi Poi Poti + C swwi Sw i Sw ti ,

i = 1, N

b) Oil pressure and water saturation

c) Coefficients and capillary pressures in the equations for eack grid block are dependent on
the pressures and saturations that we are solving for
d) All coefficients (transmissibilities and storage coeffiocients) and capillary pressures in the
equations for each grid block are dependent on the pressures and saturations that we are
solving for
e) Advantages: simpler solution routines and not so computer intensive per time step; less
discretization error since time steps must be small. Disadvantages: small time steps are
required in order to avoid large errors in coefficients and capillary pressures (due to
assumptions); large time steps may lead to instability
f) Not well suited for systems where rapid changes in saturations and pressures take place
Question 10 (8 points)
For two-phase flow (constant flow area) the right hand side of the gas equation may be
written (undersaturated oil case):
So
Rso

t
Bo
The corresponding discretized form is:

Cpog i ( Poi Poit ) + Cpbg i ( Pbp i Pbp it ) + Cswg i ( Swi Swit )

a) Sketch typical curves that show the pressure dependencies of Bo and Rso .

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015

page 14 of 15

b) Show the complete derivations of the three coefficients Cpog i , Cpbg i , Cswg i .
Solution
a)

In the figures, the solid lines represent saturated conditions, while the dotted lines represent
under-saturated behavior, with the bubble point pressure being defined by the intersection
of the dotted line and the saturated line. Thus, the bubble point pressure depends on the
amount of gas present in the system. The more gas, the higher the bubble point pressure.
For undersaturated oil the functional dependencies are: Bo (Po , Pbp ), Rso (Pbp )
b) First, since we have two-phase flow it means that oil and water are flowing, while the gas
is in the form of solution gas. We expand the right hand side of the gas equation as
follows:
So
S S dR P
Rso
= Rso o + o so bp

t
Bo
t Bo Bo dPbp t
The first term becomes:

So
1 Po
So
1 Pbp So d Po
=
R
+

S
+
,
+
so
o


t Bo
Bo t
Po Bo t Pbp Bo t Bo dPo t
and in discrete form:
Rso

( Rso )i
( RsoSo )i
So
(Swi Swit ) +
Rso

Boi t
t
t Bo i

cr (1 / Bo )
( RsoSo )i (1 / Bo )
t
t

( Pbpi Pbpi )
B + P ( Poi Poi ) +
t
P
o
bp
o
i

The second term in discrete form becomes:

So dRso Pbp ( So )i

B
o dPbp t

i Boi t

dRso
t

( Pbpi Pbpi )
dPbp i

Final Exam
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation, June 5, 2015
Collecting terms:
C pogi =
C pbgi =

( RsoSo )i cr
t

(So )i

Cswgi =

B +
o

Rso
t

( Rso )i
Boi t

(1 / Bo )
Po i

(1 / Bo )
1 dRso

+
Pbp Boi dPbp
i
i

page 15 of 15