A CFD simulator for multiphase flow in reservoirs and pipes

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code for flow of oil, gas and sand in reservoirs and pipes was developed to help understand the flow in wild wells that are drilled for offshore oil production. In the reservoir, there is a large entrance effect produced by turbulence. In the pipe, the code computed turbulent velocity profiles and Reynolds stresses similar to fully developed single phase turbulent flow. The Fanning friction factor for oil flow at a Reynolds number of about 16,000 is 0.004, compared with the single phase turbulent friction factor of 0.007. The computed low frequency oscillations are consistent with wild well behavior.

Graphical abstractThe CFD code computed velocities and volume fractions for flow of oil, gas and sand in reservoirs and pipes in wild wells. The figure shows the computed oil volume fractions at 71 seconds after blowout for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In the reservoir there is a large entrance effect. In the pipe the code computed the Reynolds stresses.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide