Multiscale simulation of highly heterogeneous subsurface flow with physically adaptive 3D unstructured grids

Abstract

The multiscale finite volume framework is extended with physical-based grid adaptation (MSFV-GA) for three-dimensional fully unstructured grids. The MSFV method produces large errors for highly heterogeneous and anisotropic problems on standard coarse grids generated based on geometrical features. Adding constraints based on the fine-scale physical properties to construct coarse grids can increase the accuracy and robustness of the MSFV solutions. A novel and automated coarse grid generation strategy adaptable to the reservoir heterogeneity for 3D unstructured grids is presented. Adaptive coarse grids are generated based on local variations of fine scale permeability field. The proposed procedure is very flexible respect to the local physical and geometrical limitations in coarse blocks. Multiscale coarse grid adaptation notably improves the basis functions calculations. The performance of the MSFV-GA in handling challenging problems involving high media contrasts or impermeable shale layers is assessed. The results are very promising and show that the MSFV-GA can accurately approximate complex physics problems. The presented 3D unstructured procedure can notably improve the applicability of the multiscale finite volume method and provide a promising framework for the next generation of reservoir flow simulators.