TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 1 of 12

Hand-out note 7

SATURATED OIL-GAS SIMULATION - IMPES SOLUTION

The major difference between two-phase oil-water flow and two-phase, saturated oil-gas flow is that the solution
gas terms have to be included in the flow equations. Recall from the previous review of Black Oil PVT behavior
that the oil density at reservoir conditions is defined as:

ρ o S + ρ g SRs o
ρo =
Bo

First of all, for a saturated oil-gas system, the oil pressure is per definition equal to the bubble point pressure, or
saturation pressure:

Po = Pb p

and, in addition,

So ≥ 0.

The implication of these definitions, is that the formation volume factor and the solution gas-oil ratio are
functions of oil pressure only,

Bo = f (Po )

Rs o = f (Po )

Thus, for saturated oil, the solution gas term is no longer constant and will not be canceled out of the oil
equation, as it did in single phase flow and in oil-water flow. We will, for mass balance purposes, separate the oil
density into two parts, one that remains liquid at the surface and one that becomes gas:

ρ o S + ρ g SRs o ρ o S ρ g SRs o
ρo = = + = ρoL + ρ oG
Bo Bo Bo

We will write the oil mass balance so that its continuity equation includes the liquid part only, while the gas mass
balance includes both free gas and solution gas in the reservoir, and thus all free gas at the surface:

∂
− ( ρ u ) = ∂ (φρ oLSo )
∂ x oL o ∂t

−
∂
(
ρ u + ρ oGuo =
∂x g g
∂
∂t
) [(
φ ρ g Sg + ρ oG So . )]
In the gas equation, the solution gas will of course flow with the rest of the oil in the reservoir, at oil relative
permeability, viscosity and pressure.

The Darcy equations for the two phases are:

k kr o ∂Po
uo = −
µo ∂ x

k kr g ∂Pg
ug = − .
µg ∂ x

Substituting Darcy's equations and the liquid oil density and the solution gas density definitions, together with
the standard free gas density definition,

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 2 of 12
Hand-out note 7

ρg S
ρg =
Bg

into the continuity equations, and including production/injection terms in the equations, results in the following
flow equations for the two phases:

∂ ⎛ k kr o ∂Po ⎞ ∂ ⎛ φS ⎞
⎜ ⎟ − q′o = ⎜ o ⎟
∂ x ⎝ µo Bo ∂ x ⎠ ∂t ⎝ Bo ⎠
and

∂ ⎛ k kr g ∂Pg k k ∂P ⎞ ∂ ⎛ φ Sg φS ⎞
⎜ + Rs o r o o ⎟ − qg′ − Rs oq o′ = ⎜ + Rs o o ⎟ ,
∂ x ⎝ µ g Bg ∂ x µo Bo ∂ x ⎠ ∂t ⎝ Bg Bo ⎠

where
Pcog = Pg − Po

So + Sg = 1 .

Relative permeabilities and capillary pressure are functions of gas saturation, while formation volume factors,
viscosities and porosity are functions of pressures.

Fluid properties are defined by the standard Black Oil model for saturated oil, as we have reviewed previously.
Before proceeding, we shall also review the relative permeabilities and capillary pressure relationships for oil-gas
systems.

Review of oil-gas relative permeabilities and capillary pressure

Normally, only drainage curves are required in gas-oil systems, since gas displaces oil. However, sometimes
reimbibition of oil into areas previously drained by gas displacement may happen. Reimbibition phenomena may
be particularly important in gravity drainage processes in fractured reservoirs.

Starting with the porous rock completely filled with oil, and displacing by gas, the drainage relative permeability
and capillary pressure curves will be defined:
Pcog
Kr
Drainage
process
gas
So =1 oil

Pdog
So So
Sorg 1-Sgc Sorg 1.0

If the process is reversed when all mobile oil has been displaced, by injecting oil to displace the gas, imbibition
curves are defined as:

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 3 of 12
Hand-out note 7

Pcog
Kr
Imbibition
process
gas
oil
So =Sor gas
oil
oil

So So
Sorg 1-Sgro Sorg 1-Sgro
The shape of the gas-oil curves will of course depend on the surface tension properties of the system, as well as
on the rock characteristics.

Discretization of flow equations

The discretization procedure for oil-gas equations is very much similar to the one for oil-water equations. In fact,
for the oil equation, it is identical, with a small exception for the saturation, which now is for gas and not water.
Thus, the discretized oil equation may be written:

T xoi +1 2 ( Poi+1 − Poi ) + T xoi−1 2 ( Poi −1 − Poi ) − q oi

′

( ) (
= C pooi Poi − Poit + C sgoi Sg i − Sgit , ) i = 1, N

Definitions of the terms in the equation are given below:

2 λ oi+1 2
Txoi+1 2 =
⎛ Δx Δx ⎞
Δxi ⎜ i+1 + i ⎟
⎝ ki+1 ki ⎠

2 λ oi−1 2
Txoi−1 2 =
⎛ Δx Δx ⎞
Δxi ⎜ i−1 + i ⎟
⎝ ki−1 ki ⎠

where
kro
λo =
µo Bo

and the upstream mobilities are selected as:

⎧⎪ λ oi+1 if Poi+1 ≥ Poi

λ oi+1/2 = ⎨
⎪⎩ λ oi if Poi+1 < Poi

⎧⎪ λ oi−1 if Poi−1 ≥ Poi

λ oi−1/2 = ⎨
⎪⎩ λ oi if Poi−1 < Poi

The right side coefficients are:

φi (1− Sgi ) ⎡ cr d(1 / Bo ) ⎤

Cpooi = ⎢ B + dP ⎥
Δt ⎣ o o ⎦i
Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe
Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 4 of 12
Hand-out note 7

φi
Csgoi = −
Boi Δti

Left hand side of gas equation

For the gas equation, we will partly use similar approximations as for the oil equation, and also introduce new
approximations for the solution gas terms. First,

∂ ⎛ kkrg ∂ Pg kk ∂ Po ⎞ ∂ ⎛ kkrg ∂ Pg ⎞ ∂ ⎛ kk ∂ Po ⎞
⎜ + Rso ro ⎟ = ⎜ ⎟ + ⎜ Rso ro
∂ x ⎝ µ g Bg ∂ x µo Bo ∂ x ⎠ ∂ x ⎝ µ g Bg ∂ x ⎠ ∂ x ⎝ µo Bo ∂ x ⎟⎠

Then, we use similar approximations for the free gas term as we did for oil and for water:

∂ ⎛ kkrg ∂ Pg ⎞
≈ Txgi+1/2 (Pgi+1 − Pgi ) + Txgi−1/2 (Pgi−1 − Pgi )
∂ x ⎜⎝ µ g Bg ∂ x ⎟⎠ i

where the gas transmissibilities are defined as:

2 λ gi+1 2
Txgi+1 2 =
⎛ Δx Δx ⎞
Δxi ⎜ i+1 + i ⎟
⎝ ki+1 ki ⎠

2 λ gi−1 2
Txgi−1 2 =
⎛ Δx Δx ⎞
Δxi ⎜ i−1 + i ⎟
⎝ ki−1 ki ⎠

where
krg
λg =
µ g Bg

and the upstream mobilities are selected as:

⎧⎪ λ gi+1 if Pgi+1 ≥ Pgi

λ gi+1/2 = ⎨
λ gi if Pgi+1 < Pgi
⎩⎪

⎧⎪ λ gi−1 if Pgi−1 ≥ Pgi

λ gi−1/2 = ⎨
λ gi if Pgi−1 < Pgi
⎩⎪
The solution gas term may be approximated as the oil flow term, with the exception that the solution term has to
be included as follows:

∂ ⎛ kk ∂ Po ⎞
⎜ Rso ro ≈ ( RsoTxo )i+1/2 (Poi+1 − Poi ) + ( RsoTxo )i−1/2 (Poi−1 − Poi )
∂x⎝ µo Bo ∂ x ⎟⎠ i

For the solution gas-oil ratios, we will again use the upstream principle, just as for the mobilities:

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 5 of 12
Hand-out note 7

⎧⎪ Rsoi+1 if Poi+1 ≥ Poi

Rsoi+1/2 = ⎨
⎪⎩ Rsoi if Poi+1 < Poi

⎧⎪ Rsoi−1 if Poi−1 ≥ Poi

Rsoi−1/2 = ⎨
⎪⎩ Rsoi if Poi−1 < Poi

Right hand side of gas equation

The right hand side of the gas equation consists of a free gas term and a solution gas term:

∂ ⎛ φ Sg φ Rso So ⎞ ∂ ⎛ φ Sg ⎞ ∂ ⎛ φ Rso So ⎞
+ = +
∂ t ⎜⎝ Bg Bo ⎟⎠ ∂ t ⎜⎝ Bg ⎟⎠ ∂ t ⎜⎝ Bo ⎟⎠

Using similar approximations as for water for the free gas term, we may write:

∂ ⎛ φ Sg ⎞ φi Sgi ⎛ cr d(1 / Bg ) ⎞ ⎡ ⎛ dPcog ⎞ ⎤ φi

⎜ ⎟ ≈ ⎜ + ⎟ ⎢ (Poi − Poi ) +
t
⎜ ⎟ (S gi − Sgi ) ⎥ +
t
(Sgi − Sgit ) .
∂ t ⎝ Bg ⎠ Δt ⎝ Bg dPg ⎠ ⎢⎣
i
⎝ g ⎠i
dS ⎥⎦ Bg i Δt

The solution gas term may be expanded into:

∂ ⎛ φ Rso So ⎞ ∂ ⎛ φ S ⎞ φ S ∂ Rso
⎜ ⎟ = Rso ⎜ o ⎟ + o
∂ t ⎝ Bo ⎠ ∂ t ⎝ Bo ⎠ Bo ∂ t

The first term is identical to the right hand side of the oil equation, multiplied by Rso . Thus,

⎡ ∂ ⎛ φ So ⎞ ⎤
⎢ Rso ⎜ ⎟ ⎥ ≈ Rsoi Cpooi + Rsoi Csgoi
⎣ ∂ t ⎝ Bo ⎠ ⎦i
For the second term, the following approximation may be used:

⎛ φ So ∂ Rso ⎞ ⎛ φ So dRso ∂ Po ⎞ 1 ⎛ φ So dRso ⎞

⎜⎝ B ∂ t ⎟⎠ = ⎜⎝ B dP ∂ t ⎟⎠ ≈ Δt ⎜⎝ B dP ⎟⎠ ( Poi − Poi )
t

o i o o i o o i

Then, combining the terms, the approximation of the gas equation becomes:

Txgi+1 2 ⎡⎣( Poi+1 − Poi ) + ( Pcogi+1 − Pcogi ) ⎤⎦ + Txgi−1 2 ⎡⎣( Poi−1 − Poi ) + ( Pcogi−1 − Pcogi ) ⎤⎦ − qgi′
+ ( RsoTxo )i+1 2 ( Poi+1 − Poi ) + ( RsoTxo )i−1 2 ( Poi−1 − Poi ) − ( Rso qo′ )i

= Cpogi ( Poi − Poit ) + Csggi ( Sgi − Sgit ) , i = 1, N

where

φi ⎡ ⎛ cr d(1 / Bg ) ⎞ ⎛c d(1 / Bo ) ⎞ (1− Sg ) dRso ⎤

Cpogi = ⎢ Sg ⎜ + ⎟ + Rso (1− Sg ) ⎜ r + + ⎥
Δt ⎢⎣ ⎝ Bg dPg ⎠ ⎝ Bo dPo ⎟⎠ Bo dPo ⎥⎦
i

and

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 6 of 12
Hand-out note 7

φi ⎡ ⎛ cr d(1 / Bg ) ⎞ dPcog Rso 1 ⎤

Csggi = ⎢ Sg + − + ⎥
Δt ⎢⎣ ⎜⎝ Bg dPg ⎟⎠ dSg Bo Bg ⎥⎦
i

The derivative terms appearing in the expressions above:

⎛ d(1 / Bo ) ⎞ ⎛ d(1 / Bg ) ⎞ ⎛ dRso ⎞ ⎛ dPcog ⎞

,
⎜⎝ dP ⎟⎠ ⎜ dP ⎟ ⎜⎝ dP ⎟⎠ , and ⎜ dS ⎟
o i ⎝ g ⎠i o i ⎝ g ⎠i

are all computed numerically for each time step based on the input table to the model.

Boundary conditions

The boundary conditions for oil-gas systems are similar to those of oil-water systems. Normally, we inject gas in
a grid block at constant surface rate or at constant bottom hole pressure, and produce oil and gas from a grid
block at constant bottom hole pressure, or at constant surface oil rate. As for oil-water flow, we may sometimes
want to specify constant reservoir voidage rate, where either the rate of injection of gas is to match a specified
rate of oil and gas production at reservoir conditions, so that average reservoir pressure remains constant, or the
reservoir production rate is to match a specified gas injection rate.

Constant gas injection rate

Again, as for water injection, a gas rate term is already included in the gas equation. Thus, for a constant surface
gas injection rate of Qgi (negative) in a well in grid block i :

qgi′ = Qgi / (AΔxi ) .

Then, at the end of a time step, after having solved the equations, the bottom hole injection pressure for the well
may be calculated using the well equation:

Qgi = WCi λ gi (Pgi − Pbhi ) .

The well constant in the equation above is defined just as for oil-water flow:

2π ki h
WCi =
r ,
ln( e )
rw
where rw is the well radius and the drainage radius is theoretically defined as:

ΔyΔxi
re = .
π

As for water injection, we will use the sum of the mobilities of the fluids present in the injection block in the well
equation. Thus, the following well equation is used for the injection of gas in an oil-gas system:

⎛ k r o kr g ⎞
Qgi Bgi = WCi ⎜ i + i ⎟ (P gi − P bhi ) ,
⎝ µoi µ gi ⎠
or
⎛B ⎞
Qgi = WCi ⎜ oi λ oi + λ gi ⎟ (Pgi − P bhi )
⎝ Bgi ⎠

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 7 of 12
Hand-out note 7

If the injection wells are constrained by a maximum bottom hole pressure, to avoid fracturing of the formation, this
should be checked at the end of each time step, and, if necessary, be followed by a reduction of the injection rate, or
by conversion of the well to a constant bottom hole pressure injection well.

Just as for the water injection case, capillary pressure is normally neglected in the well equation, particularly in
the case of field scale simulation, so that the well equation becomes:

⎛B ⎞
Qgi = WCi ⎜ oi λ oi + λ gi ⎟ (Poi − P bhi ) .
⎝ Bgi ⎠

For gas-oil flow, the capillary pressure is normally small, so that even in simulation of cores used in laboratory
experiments, the errors resulting from neglecting capillary pressure in the well equation will be small.

Injection at constant bottom hole pressure

The well equation for injection at constant bottom hole pressure is the same as the one above:

⎛B ⎞
Qgi = WCi ⎜ oi λoi + λ gi ⎟ (Pgi − Pbhi )
⎝ Bgi ⎠

or, if the capillary pressure of the injection block is neglected:

⎛B ⎞
Qgi = WCi ⎜ oi λoi + λ gi ⎟ (Poi − Pbhi ) .
⎝ Bgi ⎠

Again, the terms of the equation must be included in the appropriate coefficients in the pressure solution. At the
end of the time step, the above equation may be used to compute the actual gas injection rate for the step.

Constant oil production rate

For the oil equation, this condition is handled as for the constant water injection rate. Thus, for a constant surface
oil production rate of Qoi (positive) in a well in grid block i :

qoi′ = Qoi / (AΔxi ) .

However, oil production will always be accompanied by solution gas production, and in addition, the well may
produce free gas. The gas equation will thus have gas production terms given by:

′ = qoi′ Rsoi
qgsi (solution gas)

and
λ gi
′ = qoi′
qgfi + λ gi Pcogi (free gas)
λoi

In case the gas-oil capillary pressure is neglected around the production well, the total gas production becomes:

⎛ λ gi ⎞
′ = qgsi
qgti ′ + qgfi
′ = qoi′ ⎜ + Rsoi ⎟ .
⎝ λoi ⎠

At the end of a time step, after having solved the equations, the bottom hole production pressure for the well may
be calculated using the well equation for oil:

Qoi = WCi λoi (Poi − Pbhi ) .

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 8 of 12
Hand-out note 7

As for oil-water systems, production wells in oil-gas systems are normally constrained by a minimum bottom
hole pressure. If this is reached, the well should be converted to a constant bottom hole pressure well.

The gas-oil ratio at the surface is:

′
qgti
GOR i = ,
qoi′

which for negligible capillary pressure in the producing grid block reduces to the familiar expression:

λ gi
GOR i = + Rsoi .
λoi

Frequently, well rates are constrained by maximum GOR levels, due to limitations in process equipment. If a
maximum gas-oil ratio level is exceeded for a well, the highest GOR grid block may be shut in, in case more than
one gridblocks are perforated, or the production rate may have to be reduced.

Production at constant reservoir voidage rate

As for the oil-water system, the total production of fluids from a well in block , at reservoir conditions, is to
match the reservoir injection volume so that the reservoir pressure remains approximately constant. Thus,

Qoi Boi + Qgi Bgi = −Qginj Bginj ,

which, again assuming that capillary pressure is negligible, leads to:

λoi
qoi′ = (−Qgi Bginj ) / (AΔxi )
λoi Boi + λ gi Bgi
and
λ gi
qgi′ = (−Qgi Bginj ) / (AΔxi ) .
λoi Boi + λ gi Bgi

The solution gas rate term thus becomes:

Rsoi λoi
Rsoi qoi′ = (−Qgi Bginj ) / (AΔxi )
λoi Boi + λ gi Bgi

Production at constant bottom hole pressure

Using a production well in grid block i with constant bottom hole pressure, Pbhi , as an example, we have an oil
rate of:

Qgi = WCi λoi (Poi − Pbhi )

and a free gas rate of:

Qgi = WCi λ gi (Pgi − Pbhi ) .

Substituting into the flow terms in the flow equations, the oil rate becomes:

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 9 of 12
Hand-out note 7

WCi
qoi′ = λoi (Poi − Pbhi ) ,
AΔxi

and the free gas rate:

WCi
qgi′ = λ gi (Pgi − Pbhi )
AΔxi

and finally the solution gas rate:

WCi
Rsoi qoi′ = Rsoi λoi (Poi − Pbhi )
AΔxi

Again, the flow rate terms have to be included in the appropriate matrix coefficients when solving for pressures.
At the end of each time step, actual rates are computed by the equations above, and GOR is computed as in the
previous cases.

Solution by IMPES method

The procedure for IMPES solution is similar to the oil-water case. Thus, we make the same assumptions in
regard to the coefficients:

Txot ,Txg t
Cpoot ,Cpog t
.
Csgot ,Csgg t
Pcog t

Having made these approximations, the discretized flow equations become:

t
Txoi+1/2 ( Poi+1 − Poi ) + Txoi−1/2
t
( Poi−1 − Poi ) − qoi′
= Cpooit ( Poi − Poit ) + Csgoit ( Sgi − Sgit ) , i = 1, N

t
Txgi+1/2 ⎡( Poi+1 − Poi ) + ( Pcogi+1 − Pcogi )t ⎤
⎣ ⎦
+Txgi−1/2
t ⎡( Poi−1 − Poi ) + ( Pcogi−1 − Pcogi )t ⎤ − qgi′
⎣ ⎦
+ ( RsoTxo )i+1/2 ( Poi+1 − Poi ) + ( RsoTxo )i−1/2 ( Poi−1 − Poi ) − ( Rso qo′ )i
t t

= Cpogit ( Poi − Poit ) + Csggit ( Sgi − Sgit ) , i = 1, N

IMPES pressure solution

The pressure equation for the saturated oil-gas becomes:

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 10 of 12
Hand-out note 7

{T t
xoi+1/2 + α i ⎡Txgi+1/2
⎣
t
⎦ }
+ ( RsoTxo )i+1/2 ⎤ ( Poi+1 − Poi ) +
t

{T t
xoi−1/2 + α i ⎡Txgi−1/2
⎣
t
+ ( RsoTxo )i−1/2
t
⎤} ( P
⎦
oi−1 − Poi )

+α iTxgi+1/2
t
( Pcogi+1 − Pcogi ) + α iTxgi−1/2
tt
( Pcogi−1 − Pcogi ) t

(
− qoi′ − α i qg′ + Rsot qoi′ = )i

(C t
pooi + α iC t
pogi )( P
oi − Poit ) , i = 1, N

where

α i = −Csgoit / Csggit .

The pressure equation may now be rewritten as:

ai Poi−1 + bi Poi + ci Poi+1 = di , i = 1, N

where

+ α i (Tsg + RsoTxo )i−1/2

t
ai = Txoi−1/2
t

+ α i (Tsg + RsoTxo )i+1/2

t
ci = Txoi+1/2
t

− Cpooit − α i ⎡(Txg + RsoTxo )i−1/2 + (Txg + RsoTxo )i+1/2 + Cpogit ⎤

t t
bi = −Txoi−1/2
t
− Txoi+1/2
t
⎣ ⎦

di = −(Cpooit + α i Cpogit )Poit + qoi′ + α i qg′ + Rso qo′ ( )i

−α T t
i xgi+1/2 (Pcogi+1 − Pcogi ) − α T t t
i xgi−1/2 (Pcogi−1 − Pcogi )t

Modifications for boundary conditions

′ ,
Again, all rate specified well conditions are included in the rate terms qoi qgi′ and Rsoi qoi′ . With the coefficients
involved at old time level, coefficients, these rate terms are already appropriately included in the di term above.

For injection of gas at bottom hole pressure specified well conditions, the following expression applies (again
using the case of neglected capillary pressure as example; however, capillary pressure can easily be included):

t
⎛B ⎞
Qgi = WCi ⎜ oi λoi + λ gi ⎟ (Poi − Pbhi ) .
⎝ Bgi ⎠

In a block with a well of this type, the following matrix coefficients are modified (assuming that there is not a
production well in the injection block):

bi = −Txoi−1/2
t
− Txoi+1/2
t
− Cpooit
⎡ WC ⎛ B ⎞
t
⎤
⎢ λoi + λ gi ⎟ + (Txg + RsoTxo )i−1/2 + (Txg + RsoTxo )i+1/2 + Cpogi ⎥
t t
− αi i
⎜
oi t

⎢ AΔxi ⎝ Bgi ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 11 of 12
Hand-out note 7

t
WCi ⎛ Boi ⎞
di = −(C t
+ α iC t
)P − α i
t
λ + λ gi ⎟ Pbhi
Δxi ⎜⎝ Bgi
pooi pogi oi oi
⎠
− α iTxgi+1/2
t
(Pcogi+1 − Pcogi )t − α iTxgi−1/2
t
(Pcogi−1 − Pcogi )t

For production at bottom hole pressure specified well conditions, we have the following expressions:

WCi
qoi′ = λoi (Poi − Pbhi ) ,
AΔxi

WCi
qgi′ = λ gi (Pgi − Pbhi )
AΔxi

and

WCi
Rsoi qoi′ = Rsoi λoi (Poi − Pbhi ) .
AΔxi

In a block with a well of this type, the following matrix coefficients are modified:

WCi t
bi = −Txoi−1/2
t
− Txoi+1/2
t
− Cpooit − λoi
AΔxi
⎡ WCi ⎤
( )
Rsoi λoi + λ gi + (Txg + RsoTxo )i−1/2 + (Txg + RsoTxo )i+1/2 + Cpogit ⎥
t t t
− αi ⎢
⎣ AΔxi ⎦

WCi t WCi
( )
t
di = −(Cpooit + α i Cpogit )Poit − λoi Pbhi − α i λ gi + Rso qo′ i Pbhi
Δxi Δxi
− α iTxgi+1/2
t
(Pcogi+1 − Pcogi )t + α iTxgi−1/2
t
(Pcogi−1 − Pcogi )t

As for oil-water, the pressure equation may now be solved for oil pressures by using Gaussian elimination.

IMPES saturation solution

Having obtained the oil pressures above, we need to solve for gas saturations using either the oil equation or the
gas equation. In the following we will use the oil equation for this purpose:

t
Txoi+1/2 ( Poi+1 − Poi ) + Txoi−1/2
t
( Poi−1 − Poi ) − qoi′
= Cpooit ( Poi − Poit ) + Csgoit ( Sgi − Sgit ) , i = 1, N

Again, since gas saturation only appears as an unknown in the last term on the right side of the oil equation, we
may solve for it explicitly:

− Cpooit ( Poi − Poit ) ⎤⎦ ,

1
Sgi = Sgit + ⎡Txoi+1/2
Csgoit ⎣
t
( Poi+1 − Poi ) + Txoi−1/2
t
( Poi−1 − Poi ) − qoi′ i = 1, N

For grid blocks having pressure specified production wells, we make appropriate modifications, as discussed
previously:

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18
TPG4160 Reservoir Simulation 2018 page 12 of 12
Hand-out note 7

1 ⎡ t ⎤
Sg i = Sg ti + t ⎢Txoi +1/ 2 ( P oi+1 − P oi ) + T xoi −1/ 2 ( P oi −1 − P oi ) −
C sgoi ⎣
t WCi
AΔxi
( ) ( )
λtoi Poi − P bhit − Cp o oti Poi − Poit ⎥
⎦
i = 1, N

Having obtained oil pressures and water saturations for a given time step, well rates or bottom hole pressures
may be computed, if needed, from, from the following expression for an injection well:

WCi ⎛ Boi ⎞
′ =
q gi ⎜ λ oi + λ gi ⎟(Poi − P bhi ) ,
AΔxi ⎝ Bgi ⎠

and for a production well:

WCi
qoi′ = λ (Po − P bhi ) ,
AΔxi oi i

WCi
′ =
q gi λ (P g − P bhi )
AΔxi gi i
and
WCi
Rs oi q′oi = Rs oi λ oi(Poi − P bhi ) .
AΔxi

The surface gas-oil ratio is computed as:

′ + Rs oi qoi
qgi ′
GORi = .
′
qoi

Required adjustments in well rates and well pressures, if constrained by upper or lower limits are made at the end
of each time step, before all coefficients are updated and we can proceed to the next time step.

Applicability of IMPES method

Applicability of the IMPES method for oil-gas systems is fairly much as for oil-water systems. However, since
saturation changes in gas-oil systems generally are more rapid than for oil-water systems, due to the fact that the
gas viscosity is much smaller than for liquids, smaller time step sizes may be required.

Textbook: Chapter 6, p. 57-62, Appendix B, p. 132-139, Appendix C, p. 140-144

Norwegian University of Science and Technology Professor Jon Kleppe

Department of Petroleum Engineering and Applied Geophysics 18/1/18