[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation

Module Code: PTRL09H03 Title: Reservoir Modelling and Simulation
Modular weight: 10 Examination weighting: 50 %
Prerequisite modules: PTRL04I03, PTRL04C03.
Reassessment: No restrictions.
Internal Examiner/Module Leader: Prof. Mahmoud Tantawy
Semester taught: Two
Key words: geologic static model, reservoir dynamic model, spatial analysis, geostatistics, flow equation,
black oil models, truncation errors, stability, transmissibility, software and numerical simulation, grids,
initialization, history matching, reservoir management.
Date of latest revision: 0202 -20-20

Aims
The aim of this module is for students to:
understand the fundamentals and practices of oil/gas reservoir modelling and
simulation techniques as basic tools for solving a large variety of reservoir
engineering problems;
Develop an integrated geologic and engineering studies in developing effective,
economical reservoir management strategies is also demonstrated.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of:
1. basics and practice of static geologic and dynamic reservoir modelling and
simulation in solving major field problems;
2. reservoir simulation and use of available software in solving sophisticated reservoir
problems in cost effective manner;

Subject-specific cognitive skills

On completion of this module students should be able to/demonstrate ability in:
3. interpret reservoir simulation results and assess reliability;

Subject-specific practical skills

On completion of this module students should be able to/demonstrate ability in:
4. use numerical methods and third party software to effectively model reservoirs ;
5. integrate diversified geological and engineering data to obtain effective results for
optimum field development;

Key/transferable skills
On completion of this module students should be able to/demonstrate ability in:
6. analyse data to reduce risks and uncertainties in work;
7.Evaluate software in reservoir management practices.
Content

 reservoir modelling and simulation infield practice;
 analysis of geological, geophysical and production data;
 construction of 3-D geological models;
 spatial analysis and geostatistics;
 incorporation of well log and core data into geological models;
 scaling of geological models for numerical simulation;

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

 reservoir simulation and management;

 basic input data and equations for reservoir dynamic model;
 model and grid selection;
 treatment of wells in simulators;
 compositional reservoir simulator equations;
 fractured reservoir models;
 history matching;
 Planning and executing a reservoir simulation study.
Methods of Learning, Teaching and Assessment
Total student effort for the module: 100 hours on average.
Teaching & Learning:
1. 12, 1h lectures. This method informs learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 6.
2. 12, 2h computer laboratories. This method informs learning outcomes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Assessment:
1. Group of simulation reports represents 50 % of the total mark. This will include a
computer simulation project(s) using actual data from the field. This method assesses
learning outcomes, 4, 5, 6, 7.
2. A 90 minutes final exam carries 50 % of the total mark and assesses learning
outcomes 1, 2, 3.

Reading List
 Jozsef Papay, "4D Numerical Modeling of Petroleum Reservoir Discovery", Intl
Specialized Book Service Inc, ISBN: 9630577844 (2001)
 Calvin C. Mattax and Robert L. Dalton, "Reservoir Simulation (SPE Monograph Series,
Vol 13)", Society of Petroleum, ISBN: 1555630286 (1990)
 M. R. (Mike) Carlson, " Practical reservoir simulation: using, assessing, and
developing results", PennWell, ISBN: 0878148035 (c2003)
 Papay, Jozsef, "Development of Petroleum Reservoirs. Theory and Practice",
Akademiai Kiado, ISBN: 9630579278 (2003)

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Examination Paper Proofing &

Printing Confirmation Sheet

Module Title Module Code

Reservoir Modelling and Simulation [PTRL09H03]
Module Leader (to complete and sign printing instructions and Semester
stationery requirements section and forward this sheet attached to
the examination paper to the Quality & Validation Office) Resit Exam
Proofed by (to complete and sign confirmation of proofing Date of examination
section) Aug 2011

I hereby confirm:

That this examination paper assesses the ILOs defined in the module
specification
That appropriate model answers were provided with this
examination paper
That this examination paper has been proof-read and is approved for
printing
That this examination paper follows the approved University
template

Signed (Proof Reader) Prof. Attia M. Attia

Stationery requirements

Number of copies of examination paper to be printed 20

Date of examination Aug 2011

Number required per

student
Stationery Requirement(s) 8 page answer book √

12 page answer book

Graph paper
Other

Signed (Module Leader) Prof. Mahmoud Tantawy

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Module Code [PTRL09H03]

Final Examination
2010 / 2011
Module Title
Reservoir Modelling and Simulation
Module Leader Semester
Prof. Mahmoud Tantawy Resit Exam
Equipment allowed
Non-programmable calculator

Instructions to Students

 Answer Six QUESTIONS

 The exam paper is 3 PAGES
 The allocation of marks is shown in brackets next to each question.
 All questions carry equal marks.
 Write your answers in the answer book provided, not on the exam
papers.
 Submit exam paper with the answer book.

This examination is 1 ½ hour long.

[Turn Over only when instructed to do so]

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

The British University in Egypt

Faculty of Engineering
Petroleum Engineering & Gas Technology Department
[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation
Resit Exam Duration: 1 ½ hour Examiner: Dr. Mahmoud Tantawy

Q1
.
Classify reservoir simulators according to:
a) reservoir fluid type
b) recovery processes
c) the geometry and dimensionality

[15 marks]

Q2

I. Explain briefly the following terms as applied to reservoir simulation

(short sentences and/or a formula for each).

Taylor series – Explicit – Implicit – Transmissibility - IMPES.

II. The following partial differential equation describes a specific fluid flow
problem in a porous medium with kx = 10 md, µ=2 cp and Vb = 10,000
ft3. After examining the given mathematical formulation, describe the
flow problem and he porous media in the fullest extent.

2 P
 5 . 32
x 2

[15marks]

Turn over

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Q3

I. Name three ways in which a black oil reservoir simulation differs from a
compositional simulation model.

II. What are the types of “experimental methods”? Give the concept that
each of them is based on?

[15 marks]

Q4
I. Define history matching and explain the following terms :

A. History matching is an iterative process

B. History matching is not unique
C. History matching is an inverse problem

II. Compare between the common grid coordinate systems, when it is used
and draw simple sketch illustrating each.

[20marks]

Q5
Formulate the PDE for one dimension, multicomponents, multiphase system.
Mention the principle and auxiliary unknown variables. Also, describe the
equations we need to solve the system.

[20 marks]

Turn over

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Q6
A very simple single phase pressure equation is given as follows
 2 P P

 2 x t
Write down how this equation is discretised in an explicit and implicit finite
difference scheme. By using implicit finite difference scheme a set of linear
equations would arise which could be solved using a direct or an iterative linear
equation solution technique. Briefly explain the solving techniques and write
down the matrix you have.

[15 marks]

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Model Answer

Q1
.
Classify reservoir simulators according to :
a) reservoir fluid type
b) recovery processes
c) the geometry and dimensionality

[15 marks]

Answer

Reservoir simulators are classified as follows:

Due To As the following types
Reservoir and fluid type black-oil-, and compositional-
reservoir simulators
Recovery processes Conventionalrecovery,
chemicalflood, thermalrecovery,
and miscibledisplacement
simulators.
Geometry & dimensionality 1-D, 2-D, 3-D models
Orthogonal, Cylindrical, Spherical
models

___________________________________________________________

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Q2

I. Explain briefly the following terms as applied to reservoir

simulation (short sentences and/or a formula for each).

Taylor series – Explicit – Implicit – Transmissibility -

IMPES
II. The following partial differential equation describes a specific fluid flow
problem in a porous medium with kx = 10 md, µ=2 cp and Vb = 10,000
ft3. After examining the given mathematical formulation, describe the
flow problem and he porous media in the fullest extent.

2 P
 5 . 32
x 2

[15marks]

___________________________________________________________

Answer

I. Explain briefly the following terms as applied to reservoir

simulation (short sentences and/or a formula for each).

Taylor series
An expansion formula used for derivation of difference
approximations
h h2 h3
f ( X  h)  f ( x)  f '( X )  f ''( X )  f '''( X )  ......
1! 2! 3!

Explicit
Explicit discretization as applied to discretization of
diffusivity equation: time level used in Taylor series
approximation is t

Implicit

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Implicit discretization as applied to discretization of

diffusivity equation: time level used in Taylor series
approximation is t+Δt.

Transmissibility
Transmissibility flow coefficient in discrete equations that
when multiplied with pressure difference between grid locks
yields flow rate.
How easily fluids flow between them.

IMPES
IMPES solution method 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

II. The following partial differential equation describes a specific fluid flow
problem in a porous medium with kx = 10 md, µ=2 cp and Vb = 10,000
ft3. After examining the given mathematical formulation, describe the
flow problem and he porous media in the fullest extent.

2 P
 5 . 32
x 2

 2P
5.32
2
The equation x immediately signals that we are dealing
with an incompressible fluid (note the absence of time
dependency). Thus, we can start with the most general form of the
single-phase, incompressible fluid flow equation in one dimension.
Assuming no depth gradient,
  A x k x P 

x  B x 
 x  q  0
For a homogeneous system,
 2P qB
 0
x 2 V k
b x

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 [PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

or
 2P qB

x2 V k
b x
Comparing with the given equation, we can write
qB
 5.32
V k
b x
For = 2 cp, k = 10 md, Vb= 10,000 ft3 and B=1, q= 300 STB/D
(injection rate).

[15marks]

___________________________________________________________

Q3

I. Name three ways in which a black oil reservoir simulation differs

from a compositional simulation model.
II. What are the types of “experimental methods”? Give the concept that each of
them is based on?

[15 marks]
___________________________________________________________

Answer

I. Name three ways in which a black oil reservoir simulation

differs from a compositional simulation model.

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

1. The black oil model essentially treats a phase (o,w,g) as the basic
Conserved unit or “pseudo component”
2. Compositional models are based more correctly on the conservation
of components (CH4, C10, H2O etc.) - the black oil model simply treats
gas dissolution in oil through Rso
- gas solubility
3. The compositional models incorporate a full PVT description of the
oil whereas the black oil model relies on the simple Rso
type treatment.

II. What are the types of “experimental methods”? Give the concept that
each of them is based on?

 Experimental methods, both analog and physical, play a key role in

understanding petroleum reservoirs.While analog models are
seldom used today, physical models in the form of core floods,
sand packs, and slim tubes are run often.

Analog models use similarities Physical models are used to make

between the phenomenon of fluid direct measurements of flow
flow through porous media and properties in porous media. Two
other physical phenomenato types of physical models are in use
simulate reservoir performance in the petroleum industry. The first
does not account for the flow
geometry occurring in the reservoir.
Core flood experiments fall into
this category.The second type of
physical model uses geometrical-,
mechanical-, and thermal-similarity
concepts. That is, the areal
geometry, thick¬ness, porosity, and
permeability of the model and the
fluid properties are scaled so that
the shape and dimensions of the
model (as well as the ratios of
active forces in the model) are the
same as those in the reservoir
Analog models based on the In reservoirengineering problems, it
governing equations are built to is generally impossible to scale all

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 [PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

represent the reservoir, and the physical characteristics of the

appropriate quantities (those reservoir, so the use of truly scaled
representing pressure and flow models is very limited.Adequately .
rate) are measured. These Models, in which only the most
quantities can be translated through important characteristics are
the governing equations into their considered in the scaling process,
porousmedium analogs are used instead.

[15 marks]

___________________________________________________________

Q4

I. Define history matching and explain the following terms :

History matching is an iterative process

History matching is not unique
History matching is an inverse problem
[10marks]

II. Compare between the common grid coordinate systems, when it

is used and draw simple sketch illustrating each.
[10marks]

[20marks]

___________________________________________________________
Answer
I. Define history matching and explain the following terms :

History matching is an iterative process

History matching is not unique
History matching is an inverse problem

History matching:

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

The actual reservoir performance was checked against that predicted by the
simulation model.
During this stage, the reservoir simulation model is under examination.
If no match is attained, which is normally the case, then the model has to go through
the stage of history matching.
History matching is the process of adjusting the reservoir description until the
production and pressures predicted by the dynamic model match the historical
production and pressures.
Clearly, a model that cannot predict the past, is no good for predicting the future!

The process of history matching is iterative:

Through successive runs, we modify the parameters until the model
could reproduce the observed data .
We improve then the image which we have of the reservoir.
The reliability of forecasting of production depends on the quality of history
matching;
Longer production and pressure history ensures better tuning the reservoir image
through the process of history matching .

History matching is not unique

One principle of history matching is that a history match is not unique.
That is, more than one set of reservoir data may fit the field performance
measurements with equal accuracy.
Manual History matching produces one (but not unique) version of the history
matched model.
Global and local optimization techniques could assist in the process of the history
matching process.
If applied, many acceptable versions of the history matched model will be produced
possibly covering the range of the uncertainties in reservoir description.
History matching is an inverse problem.
Meaning that we start with the answer (observed field performance) and try to define
the problem (the reservoir description) that makes the model to reproduce that same
observed performance.
There are special techniques for solving inverse problem, but these do not apply to
simulation history matching.
Thus, we use trial and ERROR.
Reservoir parameters are tuned within its uncertainty range till the model is able to
reproduce the reservoir field and wells production and pressure conditions.

II. Compare between the common grid coordinate systems, when

it is used and draw simple sketch illustrating each.
Common Grid Coordinate Systems Include:
• Cartesian
• Cylindrical
• Curvilinear (including stream-tube)
• Corner point
• Local Grid Refinement (LGR)

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

• Voronoi or PEBI (Perpendicular Bisection)

Cartesian grid is applied in both single well and full field simulation grid. It is usually
easy to construct.
Cartesian grids are inflexible in the description of faults, pinchouts, and
discontinuities.

Cylindrical grids are often used in single well studies. The are particularly used for
characterizing flow in the vicinity of wellbores. They are most applied in pressure
transient analysis and coning studies.

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

The boundaries of the curvilinear grids are defined by the stream lines of the flow.
They have very limited applications in certain streamtube and streamline models.

Corner point grid is probably the most widely used type of grid in full field
simulations. Corner point grid is flexible and can take the shape of faults and
boundaries. However, the simulation model may produce inaccurate results if the grid

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

lines are too skewed. The simulation engineer needs to check all the angles (in 3D) of
the grid lines and makes sure they are deviated no more than 15 degrees from
orthogonality.

Local grid refinement is often used when we need more definition around wells. It has
the advantage of obtaining high resolution in parts of the reservoir without the need to
refine the entire model.

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Voronoi or PEBI (PErpendicular BIsection) grid is one of the newest grid types we
use in reservoir simulation. It combines several advantages:
- The grid is very flexible in modeling wells and boundaries (faults and pinchouts)
- High resolution around wells can be achieved
- The grid is orthogonal
Despite of all these advantages, Voronoi grids are not easy to construct in 3D. They
also pose problems in history matching because of their complex numbering system.
In addition, Voronoi grids result in a very spare matrix problem which is difficult to
solve with our traditional matrix solvers.

______________________________________

Q5
Formulate the PDE for one dimension, multicomponents, multiphase
system. Mention the principle and auxiliary unknown variables. Also,
describe the equations we need to solve the system.

[20 marks]

___________________________________________________________
Answer

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

  o KK ro Po     w KK rw Pw     g KK rg Pg 

Coj   Cwj   Cgj 
x  o x  x  o x  x  g x 

   o So co j   w S wcw j   g S g cg j 
t

The principle unknowns

Po, Pw, Pg, So, Sw, Sg
ρo, ρw, ρg

µo, µw, µg
Kro, krg, krw

coj N components
cwj N components

cgj N components

number of unknowns 3N+15

we need 3N+15 Equations

We have:

1 N partial differential equations,one for each componenet

2 6 PVT ( µo, µw, µg, ρo, ρw, ρg)

3 3 relative permeabilities

4 Saturation equality

5 2 capillary pressure functions:

Pcg/o=Pg-Po
Pco/w=Po-Pw

6 3 phase equality

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

 coj  1
j 1
N

 cwj  1
j 1
N

 cgj  1
j 1

7 2N phase equilibrium relationships

cgj
 k jg / o N equations one for each component
coj
coj
 k jo / w N equations one for each component
cwj

[20 marks]

___________________________________________________________

Q6
A very simple single phase pressure equation is given as follows
 2 P P

 2 x t
Write down how this equation is discredited in an explicit and
implicit finite difference scheme. By using implicit finite
difference scheme a set of linear equations would arise which
could be solved using a direct or an iterative linear equation
solution technique. Briefly explain the solving techniques and
write down the matrix you have

[15 marks]

___________________________________________________________
Answer

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

Where X1, X2, X3 are unknown - the a’s are a matrix of known
coefficients and b’s are a known right-hand side.
A direct solution method (e.g. Gaussian Elimination Gaussian
Elimination Gaussian Elimination Gaussian Elimination Gaussian
Elimination) is an algorithm with a fixed number of steps which will
solve these linear equations (under certain conditions). [Typically
forward elimination is applied to get an upper triangular A* matrix and
back substitution is then easily applied to get the X solution]

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[PTRL09H03] Reservoir Modelling and Simulation Resit Exam –Aug 2011

In contrast, an iterative technique starts with a first estimate of the

unknown vector X (0) where the (o) denotes 0th iteration: This is then
improved by some algorithm to a better and better solution of the
original linear equations i.e.

X (1)  X (2) ......  X (V )

Until the method converges .

[15 marks]

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