Information for Candidates
Heriot-Watt University
Institute of Petroleum Engineering
Industry-funded Post Doctoral Research Assistantship on Pore to reservoir upscaling
of multiphase flow functions for EOR techniques
Post Details
Carbonate rocks host over 60% of the world’s remaining hydrocarbon resources. In many
cases the reservoirs are fractured. Carbonate reservoirs tend to have structural as well as
wettability heterogeneities across length scales, ranging from pore to reservoir. The key
objective of this proposal is to understand how these heterogeneities control multiphase flow
behaviour associated with secondary and tertiary oil recovery techniques. To achieve this,
we propose to establish a workflow linking pore space reconstruction techniques with
multiphase flow simulations at the pore, the core and the outcrop scale, to derive physically
informed effective relative permeability and capillary pressure functions for use in reservoir
simulations. The workflow will be tested on outcrop analogues for fractured carbonate
reservoirs, such as the Bristol Channel or outcrop data provided by the sponsors, which is
representative for a specific oil field of interest. Simulations on the reservoir scale using the
physically informed flow functions for various recovery scenarios will demonstrate the effect
on oil recovery.
In this work we will use a variety of commercial (e.g., Eclipse) and in-house (e.g., CSMP++)
simulators at various scales to:
1.
Adapt the existing simulation methods at each scale as required (e.g., integration of
micro- and macro-porosity networks in pore space reconstruction).
2. Transfer information from scale to scale, i.e. formulate a workflow to link simulations
at different length-scales (e.g., core and outcrop scale simulations require pc and kr
curves from a lower scale and structural data to produce upscaled pc and kr curves
for reservoir simulations)
3. Test the workflow for an outcrop analogue that exhibits lithological and structural
heterogeneities and assume spatially varying wettabilities.
4. Incorporate classical flow functions, with little understanding of the physics and
structural heterogeneities at smaller scales, and our new physically informed flow
functions, derived using our new workflow, in a 3D reservoir model. Compare the
production profile for various recovery techniques and well configurations using
these different flow functions.
The project will be closely linked to the RockTYPE project, as this delivers some
fundamental insights into the origin and extent of wettability variations in carbonate
reservoirs.
This project aims to deliver:
1. A new workflow linking multiphase flow simulations at the various scales in
heterogeneous carbonate reservoir analogues with spatially varying wettability.
2. Rigorous physically informed flow functions at the outcrop scale that include the
structural and wettability heterogeneities at the underlying length scales.
3. Analysis of the efficiency of secondary and enhanced oil recovery techniques (e.g.
WAG) in heterogeneous carbonate reservoir analogues while accounting for
hysteresis.
4. Comparison of the difference in production at the field scale between reservoir
models that use standard flow functions and those that use the new physically
informed flow functions.
Person Specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential
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A good first degree in a numerate science subject
A PhD (or close to completion) in petroleum geology, hydrogeology, geophysics,
physics, petroleum engineering, or related subject area
Experience of Geoscience experimentation
Experience of Fortran, IDL or MATLAB programming and Linux/Unix
Excellent communication, presentation and organisational skills.
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Good written and oral English language
Desirable
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Experience of presenting scientific projects/concepts to a range of audiences
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Experience of programming
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Experience of modelling
Informal enquiries
Informal inquiries are welcome: please contact Dr Sebastian Geiger
(sebastian.geiger@pet.hw.ac.uk, +44 131 8054).
Heriot-Watt University
For information about Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, please visit http://www.hw.ac.uk
Institute of Petroleum Engineering
For information about IPE at Heriot-Watt University, please visit http://www.pet.hw.ac.uk/
Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University was established in 1975 to satisfy the
growing requirement for professional Petroleum Engineers as North Sea production rapidly
expanded. The Institute is recognised as a world-leading institution in upstream oil and gas
research. The funding for this position is through industry within the new International
Centre for Carbonate Reservoirs established by Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh
University. For more information on ICCR go to http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/iccr
The position is primarily a research position but IPE currently has nearly 50 research staff
and 80 PhD students, with ambition to grow these – including through the ICCR.
The candidate will also get involved in interactions with the MSc student body and there are
opportunities to develop teaching and mentoring skills. The Institute has a worldwide
teaching footprint in Petroleum Engineering As a measure of our success, some 2,500 MSc
graduates now work within the international oil industry. Industry played a key role in
defining a 12-month programme, as exemplified by the MSc in Petroleum Engineering, MSc
[PE], which is recognised as an important route into a career in the industry. The MSc [PE]
programme attracts applications from more than 800-900 students annually, from which a
class of about 90 is selected. A distance learning version of the MSc [PE] programme is
also available, offering greater convenience and flexibility for students who prefer to remain
in employment while undertaking a course of study. In addition, the MSc Petroleum
Engineering course is now offered at the Dubai Campus.
The MSc in Reservoir Evaluation and Management, MSc [REM], was developed from
innovative research at Heriot-Watt and concentrates on the integration of geoscience and
reservoir engineering, leading to better understanding and management of petroleum
reservoirs. This course is popular with numerate graduates from the earth sciences and
those with engineering backgrounds. About 150 applications are received annually and
from these a class of 25 students is selected. More than 250 MSc [REM] graduates now
work in the oil industry.
A number of years ago, the MSc Petroleum Engineering by distance learning was launched.
The content, exams and degree are identical to the residential Petroleum Engineering
course, but this option allows individuals to study for a recognised degree during their
professional careers.
An Approved Learning Partner (ALP), was established at Tomsk Polytechnic University,
Siberia, and approximately 50 students are now studying there for our MSc in Petroleum
Engineering and 20-25 students are studying for our MSc in Reservoir Evaluation and
Management.
In 2005, the MSc in Geoscience for Subsurface Exploration Appraisal and Development
(GeoSEAD) was launched in conjunction with the Universities of Edinburgh and Newcastle
Upon-Tyne and this is a further vehicle for participation of ICCR research staff in the taught
courses.
Terms of employment
The position is available for 24 months.
Salary: Grade 6/7, £23,566 - £35,646
Application Procedure:
Apply online at http://www.hw.ac.uk/hr/v_index.php
Please quote reference number 156/10.
Closing date 15 October 2010
Interviews late October/early November.