IMPA develops algorithm to optimize oil extraction.

Researchers from IMPA and other universities have developed an algorithm capable of optimizing oil extraction at great depths . The new mathematical model was created from partial differential equations combined with the study of topology, resulting in 3D images capable of geometrically representing fluid movement. The resulting structures allow for the identification of more appropriate drilling points and, consequently, higher oil recovery rates. Read more: Pi Center selects postdoctoral fellow IMPA Tech is accepting applications until December 27th Folha: 'QR code: what is it, where does it come from and where does it go?' The study presents the theory and algorithm developed to calculate an exact solution for the three-phase flow problem in one spatial dimension. It also presents several examples of how three-dimensional figures aid in understanding the problem. A reduced version of the research was recently published in the Journal of Differential Equations – an important journal in the field.  The generated images specifically represent pressure waves propagating through the oil, facilitating its extraction. The new graphics allow for enhanced visualization and understanding of fluid movement in porous media, taking into account pressure, velocity, and density. According to the research, the model applies not only to petroleum, but also to the extraction of other fluids such as water and other different types of liquids. There is also the possibility of applications in meteorological models and climate forecasting . The work was developed at Fluid (Fluid Dynamics Group of IMPA) by researcher Dan Marchesin and then IMPA postdoctoral researcher Marlon López in collaboration with Cesar Eschenazi (UFMG), Wanderson Lambert (UNIFAL-MG), Carlos Frederico Palmeira (PUC-Rio), and Bradley Plohr (Los Alamos, New Mexico). For Marchesin, one of the main advantages of the result is minimizing the losses that occur during extraction operations. “Traditional methods of extracting oil are uneconomical. After drilling, three-quarters of the existing oil remains, and until now, it was very difficult to determine the best way to extract it. The theory we developed allows us to solve, precisely, a problem very similar to the one faced at the base of extraction. Oil is most often found several kilometers deep, where the surrounding conditions are not always easy to determine. It was only possible to make approximations of these conditions,” explained the IMPA researcher. Studies on the subject began 45 years ago at Rockefeller University in New York (USA), through a partnership between Marchesin and the American researcher Eli Isaacson. From the beginning, the duo's motivation was to devise better strategies for oil extraction. Initially, the expectation was that this would be a simple study to resolve, a fact that was not confirmed during the four decades of research. To achieve the most promising result, Marchesin highlights the advancement of computers as essential. The graphs that were previously represented manually now have an improved and automated visualization. In this case, three-dimensional figures provide more information. “Each of the structures obtained represents a different part of the physical problem, which helps in understanding the oil extraction process. The generated images allow for more efficient extraction,” López points out. Next steps After the results, the group focused its efforts on a new problem: mitigating the return of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to the atmosphere during the oil extraction process, using a technique known as "carbon sequestration." The process involves injecting the gas into porous media, such as underground reservoirs, with the aim of storing it safely. The study developed by the group focuses on mechanisms to prevent gas leakage from these reservoirs, as well as investigating the interactions between CO₂ and the structures of the medium where it is stored. This work seeks to ensure that the process does not cause unwanted changes in the chemical or physical conditions of the environment, promoting a safe and efficient solution for reducing CO₂ emissions. Carbon dioxide is one of the main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect, which contributes significantly to climate change and environmental problems. Also read: PAPMEM will be held between January 27th and 31st. Lectures and computer classes mark PIC meetings.