Reservoir Simulation
1. With recent advances in reservoir simulation by means of coupled geo-mechanical (stress-strain) model, fluid flow model and chemical (solute) transport model under non-isothermal conditions - leading to an incredible ‘speed’ and ‘accuracy’; have we really advanced in providing the required ‘quantity and quality of input data’ – whereby the resulting numerical solution not only remains to be ‘stable’ but also remains to be ‘meaningful’?
2. Why do we remain so biased towards focusing more and more on the advanced numerical solution techniques, while the fundamental ‘conceptual modeling’ (requiring a sound theoretical understanding on reservoir drainage principle resulting either from linearly or non-linearly coupled physical/chemical/biological processes); and ‘mathematical modeling’ (requiring a translation of the conceptualized physical/chemical/biological processes into its equivalent mathematics, which again requires a sound understanding on the fundamental differential calculus) aspects are given the least preference?
Isn’t it like focusing more and more on ‘super-structure’ (visible external building construction based on best possible civil engineering ‘construction design’ along with the finest conceivable ‘architectural fantasy’) in the absence of bothering about the required sub-structure (foundation)?
In fact, in case of fractured reservoirs, do we at least have the minimum basic foundation, I mean, what is the very purpose of formulating advanced numerical solution techniques - in the absence of ensuring, even, a proper REV (Representative Elementary Volume) in fractured reservoirs?
Billions of grid blocks without even ensuring REV in fractured reservoirs: Where are we heading towards?
3. Whether the selection of Radial/Cylindrical coordinates; or, a Cartesian coordinate is a matter of choice?
Upon selecting the Radial coordinate (assuming that it replicates the real field scenario more closely), how do we comfortably apply Darcian approach in the absence of ensuring a uniform fluid flow (cross sectional area keeps varying towards the production well, while the role of inertial effect becoming dominant in the vicinity of production well)?
Do we have any petroleum reservoir - in a real field scenario - that could be comfortably approximated with a rectangular cartesian coordinate geometry?
Or
Is it that we simply assume the reservoir pay-zone thickness to remain to follow a relatively simple rectangular geometry?
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