| Abstract |
We would like to report that, at this time, we have coded and tested a model that simulates the behavior of a geopressured geothermal aquifer as it is subjected to production from one or more wells. We have tested this simulator by checking i t s computed responses against results reported for systems that span the range of the abilities of the simulator. The general objective of our work was to develop and test a simulator for geopressured geothermal aquifers. The simulator considers the effects of heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media, and the presence of two fluid phases, water and natural gas. The natural gas can exist either in solution or as a separate and distinct flowing phase. The model includes several drive mechanisms which we feel will be significant : these include the water compressibility, the rock matrix compressibility, the changes that occur in pore volume as the aquifer is compacted, the influx of water from adjacent shales either at the edge of the sandstone body or immediately above it or below it, and the expansion of the natural gas either in solution or as a free-phase. We feel that such a model can be used for depletion studies. With the addition of thermal effects it can be used to study the feasibility of reinjection of ''cool" used water. |