Machine, program product, and computer-implemented method to simulate reservoirs as 2.5d unstructured grids

Abstract

Example embodiments utilize machines to model reservoir geometry having geological layers as 2.5D unstructured grids. Example embodiments include program products to simulate a reservoir by generating a reservoir data system, performing a numerical fluid flow simulation, and visualizing the simulation. Data system embodiments include data structures to model a reservoir geometry as laterally unstructured two-dimensional (2D) grids and associated layer depths defining z-lines to thereby define a 2.5D unstructured grid, including datasets for: vertices of the grid cells for the future grid top and bottom surfaces, a number and listing of vertices for each grid cell, cell center coordinates, and vertex adjacency information using a compressed sparse row format. Computer-implemented methods include projecting external and internal boundaries onto a future grid surface; generating 2D unstructured, e.g., Voronoi, grids, for the top and bottom surfaces; and generating z-lines of depths corresponding to reservoir layers to thereby generate 2.5D unstructured grids.