Analysis of solutions of the Muskat — Leverett non-isothermal model for different types of oils

Abstract

In this article, numerical methods are used to analyze the features of solutions to the non-isothermal Muskat — Leverett two-phase filtration model. The structure of solutions to thermal waterflooding problems for low-viscosity and high viscosity types of oil is considered. Typical solutions for different types of functional parameters of the model are shown. The simulations show that hot water displacement of high-viscosity oil is an effective method of increasing oil recovery. In particular, if in the case of thermal flooding the reservoir with low-viscosity oil, recovery increases by only a few percent, then for a field with high viscosity oil, thermal flooding increases oil recovery by tens of percent. It is shown that in order to increase the efficiency of the thermal flooding it is necessary to pump hot water with the minimum possible capillary parameter. High total filtration rate reduces total heat loss through the roof and sole of the formation. Numerical experiments have shown that for an adequate simulation of thermal flooding, in addition to taking into account changes in oil viscosity, it is necessary to take into account the action of capillary forces and the variation of relative phase permeability during the operation of the oil field.