Application of CFD technique to simulate enhanced oil recovery processes: current status and future opportunities

Abstract

Abstract Nowadays, because of the reduction in oil resources and the passage of the first and second life period of current reservoirs, using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods is of great importance. In recent years, due to the developments in technology and the advent of powerful computers, using simulation methods in enhanced oil recovery processes is on the rise. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, as a branch of fluid mechanics, is a suitable method for studying and simulating EOR methods. In this study, a review was done on the application of CFD studies for simulating EOR methods. Also, potentials for future studies and the challenges researchers may face in this method were mentioned. Although using this method in enhanced oil recovery processes has recently started, different areas for more studies still exist. To optimize the usage of this method in future studies, the necessity of multiphase models and solution methods development, as well as considering all microscopic parameters such as interfacial tension and viscosity in investigating oil recovery factor is of great importance.

Keywords

• Enhanced oil recovery
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Oil recovery factor
• Thermal methods
• Chemical methods
• Flooding methods