Reservoir simulation models liquid flow through porous materials and is used to predict oil and gas reservoir behavior. Data is obtained through drilling and imaging, and a computer model is created to design wells and predict extraction methods. Tank simulation creates maps of porous and non-porous areas and predicts flow patterns. The field has grown due to increased computer power and data collection, and is used to model advanced techniques such as hydraulic fracking.
Reservoir simulation is a method for modeling the flow of liquids through porous materials and is used extensively in the petroleum industry to predict the behavior of large oil and gas reservoirs as they are being exploited. By creating a computer model of an underground reservoir, petroleum engineers are able to design wells with future oil and gas movements in mind. This can be used to determine the number and location of wells used to extract material from a reservoir, and to predict which advanced extraction methods will be required to most economically exploit the reservoir.
Data for reservoir simulation is obtained by field geologists using test drilling, sonar and radar imagery, and historical production data from similar sites. The reservoir is divided into cubic sectors and data is calculated for the porosity, material, pressure and oil content of each sector. The resolution of a model varies according to the size of these sectors, with smaller sectors giving more exact results but requiring more preliminary investigation and computation time. Due to the time and expense associated with developing a useful reservoir simulation, the method is generally reserved for recently exploited and potentially profitable reservoirs.
The primary goal of tank simulation is to create a map of the porous and non-porous areas in a tank, as well as the existing levels of liquids. By applying a handful of physical variables to the map, a model can be created to show the flow patterns of liquids under specific conditions. They are commonly used to predict how pulling various amounts of oil from a reservoir will affect the levels and pressures of the oil remaining in it. This can allow engineers to predict where to drill wells to maximize production over the life of the field and plan to implement advanced extraction techniques before they are needed.
The field of reservoir simulation has grown steadily in popularity since its introduction in the late 1970s. Tank models have become cheaper and more useful over the same period, largely due to increased computer power, the accumulation of more extensive historical data for simulation programs, and improved methods for field data collection. and computer simulation. Reservoir simulation is used to model the application of advanced techniques, such as hydraulic fracking and thermal stimulation. Computer modeling has also become more attractive as petroleum exploration has expanded into areas requiring more expensive and complex drilling methods.
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