Simulating large flow networks in underground media

This paper presents a new model for simulating the flow behavior describing the efficiency of oil recovery in underground geologic formations. Simulation of the oil displacement problems involve the solution of large numbers of simultaneous equations incorporating the properties of both the fluid and the rock as well as the well patterns.This paper describes in detail the equations used for simulation and the development of the new simulation technique. The application of the new method incorporates a statistical representation of the rock containing the oil and application of flow equations to ascertain the oil recovery efficiency.The oil recovery efficiency is measured by the areal sweep obtained from each separate well pattern by computerized particle tracking of the fluid.The goal is to simulate various oil recovery methods for comparison. This provides a means for selecting a most optimum technique which results in maximum oil recovery and minimum cost.A number of figures are provided to show the results of the simulation technique. Tables and figures show comparisons of the oil recovery efficiency using the new simulation method.