Stone Ridge Technology releases ECHELON version 2023.1

The SRT team, along with our development partners at Eni are pleased to announce the latest release of the ECHELON software, version 2023.1. New ECHELON features include coupling to Petroleum Experts' GAP by means of RESOLVE, support for the generalized psuedo-pressure model with optional velocity-dependent effects, polymer rheology, resource and rig management, relative permeability hysteresis, gas-water thermodynamic equilibrium, velocity-dependent relative permeability models, and compositional-black oil reservoir coupling with volumetric balance and more. These key new features are described in more detail below:

GAP COUPLING

In addition to the Facility Network Solver (FNS), ECHELON now supports the coupling to Petroleum Expert’s GAP by means of RESOLVE. The availability of the new feature allows ECHELON to connect with the external tool to perform Integrated Production Modelling.

GENERALIZED PSEUDO-PRESSURE MODEL

The Generalized Pseudo-Pressure model can now be activated for all wells in the schedule. When a new well is defined later in the schedule, the inflow equation is automatically changed to GPP. The Generalized Pseudo-Pressure model may now optionally include velocity-dependent effects in the pseudo-pressure calculations according to the model proposed by Whitson et al. (2003).

POLYMER RHEOLOGY

ECHELON now supports the modeling of viscosity dependence on the shear rate or flow velocity of polymers as a new feature. This advanced feature offers two modeling approaches: the Meter’s shear thinning model and a generalized tabulated model. The Meter’s shear thinning model is based on the assumption that the viscosity of a polymer decreases as the shear rate increases. The generalized tabulated model, on the other hand, uses a table of viscosity values that are dependent on the velocity of the fluid. This model is more flexible than the Meter’s shear thinning model as it can capture more complex viscosity behaviors. This addition offers users increased flexibility and control over polymer simulations.

RESOURCE AND RIG MANAGEMENT

Support for resource and rig management.

RELATIVE PERMEABILITY HYSTERESIS

An additional non-wetting phase relative permeability hysteresis model is available, following the original Carlson formulation. Furthermore, the three-phase hysteresis model for the non-wetting phase (gas) following the Larsen and Skauge model has been implemented.

GAS-WATER THERMODYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM IN COMPOSITIONAL FORMULATION

A compositional facility enabling the modeling of aqueous-vapor equilibrium is now available.

VELOCITY-DEPENDENT RELATIVE PERMEABILITY MODEL

The velocity-dependent relative permeability scaling proposed by Whitson et al. (2003) is now supported in ECHELON. The model can be activated for the gas phase only or for both gas and oil phases. If the model is active, cell relative permeabilities are scaled between the (user input) immiscible relative curve and a miscible curve, where the scaling parameter explicitly depends on the velocity. The scaling may also be optionally included in GPP calculations.

COMPOSITIONAL-BLACKOIL RESERVOIR COUPLING WITH VOLUMETRIC BALANCE

Starting from release 2022.3, ECHELON supports the reservoir cross-coupling of black oil and compositional reservoir models, when only volumetric balancing is required.