The Application of 3D Modelling and Visualisation Software to Reservoir Simulation: Leapfrog and TOUGH2

Abstract

Reservoir modeling is a multidisciplinary task aimed at consolidating diverse, and complex, geosciences information, reservoir production, and injection history into a robust numerical model of the system. The resulting model is used for resource management and to assess resource sustainability for a number of development scenarios. The Wairakei-Tauhara and Ohaaki geothermal systems (New Zealand) are operated by Contact Energy Ltd, and have been modeled extensively over past decades using the expertise of University of Auckland Department of Engineering Science. The advent of faster computers and a greater quantity and variety of data has allowed significant improvements in the resolution of these models. One consequence of the increased modeling resolution is that the assignment of reservoir parameters to a numerical model has become increasingly challenging. This has led to a collaborative effort between Contact Energy Ltd and ARANZ Geo Ltd, to improve both the visualization and creation of reservoir models. The software, available commercially as Leapfrog Geothermal, includes the import and visualization of TOUGH2 input files, and assigning reservoir model parameters based on geological attributes from a 3D geological model. This collaboration is providing an opportunity for geoscientists, and reservoir engineers to integrate geothermal data into a common visualization platform. Case studies from Wairakei and Ohaaki are discussed.