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Reservoir simulation

We develop and advance technology for reservoir simulation, history matching and production optimisation. Long-standing collaboration with energy companies and software vendors has given us a deep understanding of simulator internals and extensive experience with challenging field models. We help partners resolve simulation problems, improve computational performance and adapt their tools to new requirements.

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From reservoir models to analysis and optimisation

Reservoir simulation is part of an ongoing process in which models are updated against observations and used to explore alternative operating strategies. History matching adjusts model parameters to reproduce observed production and pressure behaviour. Production optimisation explores how wells and injection can be managed to meet project objectives within technical and economic constraints.

These tasks often require many simulation runs and a sound understanding of how model assumptions affect the results. We develop technology that connects reservoir simulators with history matching, uncertainty analysis and optimisation, making these workflows practical even for computationally demanding models.

When simulations become challenging

Large models, complex fluid behaviour and changing operating conditions can lead to long run times and convergence problems. Through our work on simulators and numerical solvers, we have gained extensive experience in understanding what makes these calculations challenging and how to improve them.

We help diagnose simulation problems, adapt solution methods and time-stepping strategies, and improve computational efficiency. We also welcome collaboration on studies where complex models, large numbers of simulation runs or specialised functionality call for advanced expertise in numerical methods and scientific software.

Understanding how simulators work

Our experience spans the full computational chain of a reservoir simulator: from fluid models, discretisation and well modelling to linear and nonlinear solvers, time stepping and parallel computing. This breadth enables us to examine how modelling choices interact with numerical methods and identify the causes of slow performance or convergence problems in challenging field models.

This expertise has grown through long-standing collaboration with energy companies and software vendors. We have made substantial contributions to in-house and commercial simulation tools, alongside developing MRST and JutulDarcy and co-developing OPM Flow. Our work encompasses both new methods and practical improvements designed to handle large field models and complex production histories.

Read more about our expertise in flow in porous media and simulation technology development.

Do you have a challenging reservoir model, need new analysis tools or have a study you would like to discuss? Contact our Applied Computational Science research group.