Published by the DTI Oil & Gas Directorate for the reservoir engineering and IOR community in the UK.
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DTI Workshop on the Application of Streamline Simulation Methods

David Element, AEA Technology, (david.element@aeat.co.uk)

There has recently been an increased interest in the streamline modelling approach, with several oil companies beginning to make use of streamline simulators for carrying out full-field studies. For certain classes of problems, streamline methods appear to offer significant advantages over conventional finite difference methods. The extension of the methods to more complex problems including effects such as gravity, compressibility and capillary pressure and also to more complicated geological features such as faults is an ongoing process.

The DTI engaged AEA Technology on a project under the SHARP programme to investigate the capabilities and limitations of streamline methods. It culminated in an industry workshop to share experience with streamline modelling held in July 2001.

Survey of Streamline Modelling Experience - AEA Technology reviewed the current status of streamline simulators, and also conducted a survey of streamline simulation experience amongst UK operating companies, aiming: to assess the extent to which streamline methods are being used for modelling UKCS fields, to gauge any current plans for the use of streamline simulation to support field development plans, and to collect together the experiences of different oil companies concerning both the benefits and disadvantages of streamline simulation methods as compared with traditional finite difference methods.

The AEA Technology survey revealed that although streamline simulation tools are still developing, the industry has started to employ streamline simulators for full-field modelling studies. A typical field simulation scenario employs streamline simulation tools in parallel with conventional finite difference methods - in particular using the streamline approach to screen various geological realisations. However, there is a growing number of fields for which streamline modelling is being used as an alternative to conventional modelling.

Streamline Simulation Workshop - The workshop was held in Aberdeen on 25 July 2001 and was attended by 30 oil industry delegates, representing 8 oil companies, in addition to staff from the DTI and AEA Technology.

The programme for the Workshop included presentations from AEA Technology, BP, Shell and Phillips:

• Survey of Users' Experience with Streamline Simulators. David Element (AEA Technology)
• An Overview of Streamline Simulation at BP-Amoco. George Grinestaff (BP)
• Streamline Simulation for North Sea Fields - Some Observations. Harm Dijk (Shell)
• Comparisons of Streamline and Conventional Simulation Methods. Roy Wikramaratna (AEA Technology)
• BP Case Histories of Applied Reservoir Analysis in Alaska and the North Sea. George Grinestaff (BP)
• Full-Physics, Streamline-Based Method for History Matching Performance Data. Bijan Agarwal (Phillips Petroleum).

The presentations and lively discussion at the workshop covered a range of views. Several field-modelling case studies were presented which demonstrated successful application of streamline simulators. On the other hand some speakers described streamline modelling evaluation projects which highlighted a number of shortcomings of the streamline approach.

Streamline modelling is a rapidly developing field, so it may be worth keeping on an eye on new developments and software releases. More detail is contained in the above weblink to the presentation on users experience.

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