Upscaling and uncertainty quantification of multiphase flow in periodic porous media

Project description

Despite the recent significant developments in Digital Rock Physics (DRP), two-phase flows in complex pore geometries are still not fully predictable, understood, and quantitatively reproducible. This is due to a number of factors including incorrect physical models, insufficient mesh resolution, unknown parameters and pore heterogeneity. The qualitative and quantitative effects of these uncertainties have not been studied yet. In this project, we aim to develop a modelling and simulation workflow to quantify uncertainty and assess the validity of simplified multiphase flow models in digitalised porous media images. Deterministic and Monte-Carlo techniques, together with two-phase flow solvers, will be used to perform a global sensitivity analysis of the problem. The project will see a collaboration of an industrial partner and the Geoenergy Research Centre in Nottingham.