Reservoir mathematics at University of Bergen
People : Modelling : Simulation and Discretisation techniques : Reservoir Characterization
In Norway we have large oil and gas resources in the North Sea. This has given us huge economical wealth, and our industry has world leading expertise in oil exploration and production. It is important for Norway to maintain a high production in the North Sea, ensure that our industry becomes even better, while at the same time not compromising on environmental issues. Our group educates students and performs research in petroleum and reservoir modelling which is important for the industry.
The oil industry relies on good and efficient forecasting models to determine the best production strategies for their oil fields. These can be issues such as where wells should be drilled; if or when they should be shut or reopened, whether water or gas should be injected to push more oil out of the reservoir, or whether it is possible at all to produce the oil contained in large gas reservoirs.
Environmental issues also represent an important application area for reservoir mathematics; handling of potential leakage and injection of CO2 in the North Sea are issues that you are likely to hear about from our politicians and in the media.
People
The group consists of the following people:
Full time staff and Faculty: Professor II:Modelling
All of the above issues involve simulation of movement and physical processes of oil, gas and water in porous media. Mathematically, these processes can be modeled by non-linear systems of partial differential equations. To establish appropriate physical and mathematical models for flow and transport in porous media is often done a cross-disciplinary environment. The models are based on basic physical principles like conservation of mass and energy or empirical rules like Darcy's law for volumetric flux.
Simulation and Discretisation techniques
Solving the equations governing reservoir fluid flow is a major part of what reservoir simulation is about. Reservoir simulators are computer software where mathematical models have been programmed, which give approximate answers to how the fluids behave and move under specified conditions. The partial differential equations have been discretized and the geology and physical properties of the porous medium and fluids have been organized so that the computer code can use it to solve the needed equations.
Reservoir Characterization and Uncertainty Assessment
Predictions for reservoir flow are to a great extent based on knowledge of the macroscopic material properties of the reservoir, which determine the distribution and migration of fluids. In the equations governing the flow, the material properties appear as parameter functions. Reservoir characterisation refers to the process of estimating these parameters. The goal is to develop a model of the reservoir that, in turn, can be applied as a basis for numerical simulations. This is a challenging task since the location of the reservoir, far beneath the surface of the earth makes it difficult to obtain good measurements that can be used as information sources.
Education and Master studies
The University of Bergen has educated many employees with leading positions in oil companies and research organizations today --- both in Norway and overseas. The reservoir group at the Department of Mathematics was established in the early 80s, and the collaboration with the industry has been fruitful. Many people who studied applied mathematics work as reservoir engineers for these companies today.
The reservoir group at the department performs research and provides education in simulation and modelling of fluid movement in porous media. Through the courses that are taught here you can learn about the physical processes and mathematical models that are used in reservoir simulation.
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