Linearization Techniques of Reservoir Simulation Equations - IMPES/IMPEM Cases

Abstract

The main object of this paper is to exarnine and compare models based on the numerical background of linearization techniques. A new transformation procedure is introduced that helps to separate the nonlinearity of the flow equations from the nonlinearity of fluid calculations. This transformation procedure can help to decide an optimal 'technique when developing a new model. In addition, it clears the real and the apparent differences among the mode Is, and it gives a possibility to arrive at a concise survey of the solution techniques. The detailed exarnination of the differences of IMPES and IMPEM techniques has revealed the origin of material balance error of the IMPES technique. The object-oriented C++ programming language was applied to the comparison studies. The basic C++ classes and member functions are presented in the Appendix at the end of the paper.