This paper presents the development of a three-dimensional (3D), three-phase compositional reservoir simulator based on the streamline method and its application to the simulation of water-alternating-gas (WAG) processes. The three-phase compositional streamline simulator has been developed by integrating a one-dimensional (1D) three-phase compositional solver into the 3DSL streamline simulator.

2D and 3D simulations of WAG processes have been performed using the developed simulator. Comparison with the commercial finite difference simulator Eclipse 300 (E300) has also been made. The results from the two simulators are generally in good agreement while the streamline simulator is much faster than E300 and the speed-up factor increases with the simulation size.

This study further extends the application area of the streamline method and shows that the streamline technique can be used successfully for displacement processes with complex physics like that encountered in a WAG process.

Keywords:
enhanced recovery, calculation, reservoir simulation, streamline simulator, compositional streamline simulation, gravity effect, streamline, streamline simulation, simulation, equation
Subjects:
Fluid Characterization, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Reservoir Simulation, Phase behavior and PVT measurements, Flow in porous media, Waterflooding, Miscible methods, Streamline simulation
Copyright 2004, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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