Staggered in Time Coupling of Reservoir Flow Simulation and Geomechanical Deformation: Step 1 — One-Way Coupling

Abstract

Abstract An isothermal, implicit, mixed finite element black oil reservoir simulator from the University of Texas is coupled to an explicit, quasistatic, nonlinear finite element solid mechanics code from Sandia National Laboratories. Both codes are 3d and parallel. The former models (in a locally conservative manner) the flow of oil, gas, and water fluid phases in the reservoir while the latter has been specialized to solve large-scale geomechanics problems involving significant inelastic deformations. In this paper we illustrate a uni-directional coupling of the two codes in which flow simulation output (pore pressures) from a 10-year test case based on the Belridge Field in California drives the geomechanics simulation for the same time period. The high-porosity, low-permeability Belridge diatomite undergoes significant compaction including 6 feet of vertical displacement at the top of the reservoir.