Coupled Geomechanics and Reservoir Flow Modeling on Distributed Memory Parallel Computers

Abstract

A geomechanical model and a multiphase black oilmodel are iteratively coupled in this paper. Parallel computingis employed to handle large scale problems by benefiting fromits features of distributed memory storage and efficient runtimereduction. The finite element method and the finite differencemethod are employed to discretize the two models, respectively. The geomechanical model is developed with the capability ofsimulating the rock matrix deformation with complex constitutivelaws and its effects on reservoir properties. The multiphaseflow model is modified by introducing geomechanical variablesin a conventional flow model. A coupling strategy is carefullyproposed to enable tight and dynamic interactions betweenthese two models, as well as improving parallel computationalefficiency. Example problems are presented to demonstrate theutility and efficiency of the coupled models. Expected geomechanical phenomena are illustrated by numerical experiments andvalidated by commercial software. In addition, for testing thescalability behaviour, field scale problems with millions reservoirand geomechanical grid blocks are performed. The results showencouraging speedups which indicate the integrated models canbe an efficient and useful tool for evaluating and analyzing oiland gas production of stress-sensitive reservoirs.