Course Details

Course Information Package

Course Unit TitleMODELING AND SIMULATION METHODS IN PETROLEUM ENGINEERING
Course Unit CodeMPE551
Course Unit DetailsMSc Oil & Gas and Offshore Engineering (Required Courses) -
Number of ECTS credits allocated7
Learning Outcomes of the course unitBy the end of the course, the students should be able to:
  1. Understand the fundamental physical concepts behind multi-dimensional reservoir modeling.
  2. Understand geostatistical and stochastic methods that are used in simulation models.
  3. Analyse using mathematical techniques involved in reservoir simulation.
  4. Create production simulation models through upscaling from geological models.
  5. Use and evaluate computer models to model reservoirs, wells and recovery.
  6. Perform literature searches, and computer simulation, that may require to identify and obtain required data, and to critically evaluate data and draw conclusions.
  7. Use appropriate methods to pursue research or other detailed investigation of technical issues consistent with their level of knowledge and understanding.
Mode of DeliveryFace-to-face
PrerequisitesNONECo-requisitesNONE
Recommended optional program componentsNONE
Course Contents Reservoir Simulation.
Review of basic physical concepts of mass conservation , isothermal behavior and flow through porous media for reservoir simulation. Mass, Energy, Volume Balances.  Reservoir Simulators (black oil, compositional, dual porosity etc).Derivation of general reservoir simulator equations.
Introduction to Geostatistics. 
Univariate and Multivariate statistics. Variograms. Approaches and issues with upscaling of data and potential impacts on model results. Sequential and Gaussian Simulations of petrophysical data. Horizontal, vertical and trend volumes. Stochastic Analysis and Simulation.
Mathematical Methods
Introduction to finite difference method. Use of finite difference models to discretise reservoir geometry. Model and grid selection. Upscalling from the geomodel to the simulation grid.Discretisation of flow equations.Use of local grid refinement to represent the near wellbore multi-phase flow effects.
Computer Models and Simulation
Importance of geologic, production, injection data in simulation studies. Use of modern finite difference (FD) simulation programs for construction of 2-D approximations of cross-sections and radial grid models. Use of computer models for simulating the effects of drilling methods. Use of computer models to simulate reservoir performance with different recovery options.
Recommended and/or required reading:
Textbooks
  • Practical Enhanced Reservoir Engineering: Assisted with Simulation Software By Abdus Satter , Ghulam M. Iqbal , James L. Buchwalter March, 2008 , ISBN-10: 1593700563
  • Principles of Applied Reservoir Simulation John R. Fanchi, Third Edition, December 2005 ISBN: 978-0-7506-7933-6
References
  • An extensive reading list of relevant academic research papers. Manuals of Related software.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods Students are taught the course through lectures (2 1 hours per week) by means of PowerPoint presentation slides. Lecture notes and presentations are available through the web for students to use in combination with the textbooks. Guided individual and/or group project and laboratory assignments are assigned to develop practical skills while integrating the course theory. Further literature search is encouraged by assigning students to identify a specific problem related to some possible open research issues, gather relevant scientific information about how others have addressed the problem and report this information in written and orally.

Assessment methods and criteria
Assignments20%
Project Work30%
Final Exam50%
Language of instructionEnglish
Work placement(s)NO

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