Compositional flow modeling using a multi-point flux mixed finite element method

Abstract

We present a general compositional formulation using multi-point flux mixed finite element (MFMFE) method on general hexahedral grids. The mixed finite element framework allows for local mass conservation, accurate flux approximation and a more general treatment of boundary conditions. The multi-point flux inherent in MFMFE scheme allows the usage of a full permeability tensor. The proposed formulation is an extension of single and two-phase flow formulations presented by Wheeler and Yotov (2006) with similar convergence properties. Further the formulation allows for black oil, single-phase and multi-phase incompressible, slightly and fully compressible flow models utilizing the same design for different fluid systems. An accurate treatment of diffusive/dispersive fluxes owing to additional velocity degrees of freedom is also presented. The applications areas of interest include gas flooding, CO 2 sequestration, contaminant removal and groundwater remediation.

CO2 plume and pressure monitoring through pressure sensors above the caprock

“…We assume isothermal conditions. The viscosity, mass density, compressibility, and mutual solubilities of CO2 and brine are calculated by the compositional module of CMG-GEM with the corresponding calibrated equations of state; further details are available elsewhere (Jung et al, 2020;Singh & Wheeler, 2016). The poroelasticity equations are extended to two phases within the geomechanical module (Tran et al, 2004).…”

Discontinuous Galerkin method for solving the black‐oil problem in porous media

“…In , MHFE methods for pressure and DG for explicit mass transport update are used for compositional three‐phase flows without capillary pressure. In , multi‐point flux mixed methods are introduced for a sequential implicit formulation of the compositional equations. We propose to use DG methods because they easily allow for the implementation of high order (global or local) polynomial approximation and local mesh adaptivity.…”