TABLE OF CONTENTS Modern reservoir simulators are computer programs that are designed to model fluid flow in porous media. Applied reservoir simulation is the use of these programs to solve reservoir flow problems. Reservoir flow modeling exists within the context of the reservoir management function.
Modern reservoir management is generally defined as a continuous process that optimizes the interaction between data and decision making during the life cycle of a field [Saleri, 2002, 2005]. This definition covers the management of hydrocarbon reservoirs as well as other reservoir systems, such as geothermal reservoirs and reservoirs that store carbon dioxide as part of a geological sequestration system. More specifically, reservoir management of hydrocarbon reservoirs is defined as the allocation of resources to optimize hydrocarbon recovery from a reservoir while minimizing capital investments and operating expenses [Wiggins and Startzman, 1990; Satter and Thakur, 1994; Al-Hussainy and Humphreys, 1996; Thakur, 1996]. The two outcomes of reservoir management in this definition - optimizing recovery and minimizing cost - often conflict with each other. Hydrocarbon recovery could be maximized if cost was not an issue, while costs could be minimized if the field operator had no desire or obligation to prudently manage a finite resource. The primary objective in a reservoir management study of hydrocarbon reservoirs is to determine the optimum conditions needed to maximize the economic recovery of hydrocarbons from a prudently operated field.
Reservoir flow modeling is the most sophisticated methodology available for achieving the primary reservoir management objective for hydrocarbon reservoirs. Table 1-1 lists many...
