Integrated Numerical Modeling with LedaFlow, PipeSim and Eclipse Software for Efficient CO2 Injection and Storage

The master’s thesis presents relevant topic about integrated numerical modeling of CO2 injection into saline aquifers. At the outset the Smeaheia (Norwegian Continental Shelf) model was constructed in the Ledaflow and Pipesim simulators (specific for surface infrastructure and wellbore) to understand the physical processes during CO2 injection. These models were compared and Ledaflow’s model was chosen for further work and coupling with the reservoir simulator. Eclipse E100 and E300 simulators for black oil and thermal compositional cases were employed for reservoir modeling. The models was developed to examine the flow of CO2 plume, change in pressure and temperature in transient flow. A “loose-coupling” simulation approach was proposed and used to understand and address the issues of geological storage of CO2 in saline aquifers. This approach connected Ledaflow with Eclipse. It enable to handle changes in pressure, temperature and phase distribution in transient mode. It showed that at the injection initialization the gas distribution could reach high values – around 93%, it underscores the importance of gas-impermeable infrastructure. Then, Eclipse advanced modules (CO2SOL, WSEGDIMS) was employed to see how application of outflow control devices might affect the CO2 plume distribution in the reservoir. Comparing the simulation results showed differences in how phase behavior and storage capacity are predicted by the three reservoir simulators (E100, E300CO2STORE, E300CO2SOL). Afterall, the implementation of outflow control devices assessed. The results were 8% improvement in outflow for the low-permeable layers.