Case Study Dynamic simulation for new frontiers in deep sea mining
Expanding horizons: Olga simulator applications beyond the oil and gas industry.
Olga dynamic multiphase flow simulator latest features
Olga 2024.2 introduces the following important updates to the parametric study functionality:
Olga 2024.2 includes updated numerics to handle counter-current flow. In the past, during counter-current flow, the upstream control volume was retained from the last time step of co-current flow. However, when the upstream control volume became filled with one of the phases, there was no interface between the two phases, resulting in zero interface friction. This situation could lead to a stagnant column of a light phase (such as gas) not being displaced by a heavy phase (oil or water) in a vertical pipe, especially at very high heavy phase velocities. To remedy this, the total volume flow is used to determine the upstream conditions for slip calculations. Furthermore, the amount of oil/water in a control volume is used to limit the amount of oil/water dispersed in water/oil in transient simulations. This is applicable to bullheading as well as any other scenario with counter-current flow.
In Olga 2024.1 Olga simulator single phase was introduced. Olga 2024.2 is released with expanded functionality for single phase. Single phase option (PHASE = GAS, OIL, WATER) is now compatible with COMPOSITIONAL = BLACKOIL or ON.
Olga 2024.2 is released with improvements for the inhibitor tracking functionality. Previously, the Olga simulator relied on built-in correlations to adjust the density and viscosity of the water phase containing inhibitors.
However, this approach could lead to inaccurate temperature calculations in the Olga simulator, e.g. for simulations where mono-ethylene glycol (MEG) or any other inhibitor was injected upstream a choke with a dP across the valve and Joule–Thomson (JT) cooling occurs. The new approach, released in Olga 2024.2, is using the Multiflash PVT package with high accuracy corresponding states model advanced (CSMA) equation of state (EOS) to adjust all water phase properties, such as density and viscosity of the water phase, but also thermal properties like thermal capacity and enthalpy. Notably, surface tension between water and gas, and between water and oil remains an exception. The improvement is relevant for COMPOSITIONAL equal to MEG, MEOH and ETOH.
Olga 2024.2 introduces the functionality of applying uncertainty to controllers and transmitter signals. In the realm of uncertainty analysis, understanding how uncertainty affects measurements and parameter values is crucial. Accounting for uncertainty ensures robust decision-making and accurate system behavior. When uncertainty is applied to transmitters, it can represent measurement noise. When controllers are used to control parameter values on keyword keys, adding uncertainty on the controller output then represents input uncertainty on key value. Uncertainty can be applied to the transmitter OUTPUT as well as CONTROLLER outputs for controller types MANUALCONTROLLER and ALGEBRAICCONTROLLER.
The uncertainty can be random, where the user selects either uniform distribution or normal distribution. Multiple identical shaped uniform distributions can be combined to form linear (order=1) and higher order distributions. Deterministic periodic uncertainty can be applied in terms of finite Fourier series.
The KBC Multiflash™ library has been updated from the previous release, from 7.4.12 to 7.4.17. The new version contains several minor bug-fixes.
In Olga 2024.1 we are introducing first stage release of our Olga single phase solution. This will be a lighter and faster version of the Olga simulator for handling single phase only. The improved version of the Olga simulator will minimize set of calculations required for pure single-phase flow to maximize simulation speed. This way we can considerably improve efficiency and usability for the Olga simulator when applied to single phase systems such as hydrogen simulations.
Olga 2024.1 is released with the possibility of using the Symmetry process simulation software fluids engine as an option for compositional tracking. Symmetry software can be selected as the compositional engine under COMPOPTION in the Olga simulator. The Symmetry software fluids engine is a powerful and accurate thermodynamics engine part of the SLB software offering, bringing consistent thermodynamics from pore to product.
Olga 2024.1 is released with the possibility of freezing the transient calculations for a branch. This is done by adding “SIMULATIOINOPTIONS” for a flow path and setting the “TRANSIENT” key to “FREEZE” or “NOFLOW”. If “FREEZE” is selected no calculations are done for the flow path. If “NOFLOW” is selected only temperature calculations are conducted, where only thermal capacity of the fluid is considered.
Olga 2024.1 is released with Inviscid Kelvin–Helmholtz (IKH) and Viscous Kelvin–Helmholtz (VKH) stability indicators as output. VKH instability combined with stratified flow may indicate large wave flow in the system. The user can then investigate wave formation and propagation using a fine grid dynamic Olga simulator model and the 2nd order mass equation scheme in the Olga simulator.
The Multiflash library has been updated from the previous release from 7.3 to 7.4. Version 7.4 has the following important updates:
Olga 2024.1 has been tested with Windows 11 and found compatible.
Olga 2022.1 uses the latest version of KBC Multiflash® and provides options for use with the Symmetry process software platform fluid engine for tables. Improvements like these further expand the Olga simulator’s capabilities for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
Olga 2022.1 now lets you set your composition locally for each boundary keyword. Setting standard volumetric flow rates from a mass source is another new feature that provides flexibility when running compositional cases.
The Olga 2022.1 profile generator better integrates with FieldTwin™ from FutureON. You can import U-value and steel wall thickness, populate HEATTRANSFER keywords, and create simple walls using a defined steel wall thickness, single insulation layer, and U-value from the built-in library.
Olga 2021.2 lets you use the Symmetry process software platform fluid engine in addition to KBC Multiflash® to create PVT tables with more flexibility and choice, based on field cases, while also integrating the Olga simulator with the Symmetry platform in cases where modeling common fluids between the process and the pipeline can be beneficial.:
A new HEATFLUX key has been introduced to Olga 2021.2 within the TUNING keyword. This allows tuning of the overall heat flux through the pipe wall, expanding the modeling capabilities when a deeper understanding of this phenomenon is required.
Nine new controllers have been added to Olga 2021.2 including MAX, MIN, and AVG, among others. We have also introduced several time, sample, and vector-based controllers as part of the suite. For example, you can apply the sample aggregate controller to a measured variable or signal over a given time period.
Olga now includes the updates from the NORSOK M-506 standard, incorporating organic (acetic) acids in the computation of pH. With this, Olga can now accurately simulate the effects of this on the corrosion rate
This functionality allows users to utilize equation-of-state selections for pressure/enthalpy calculations for single component systems
Olga now includes a Python API wrapper for the Olga messaging SDK. This extends the scripting capabilities in addition allowing users to take advantage of this powerful tool
FieldTwin™ design from FutureOn enables users to build and visualize a digital copy of their physical assets. Olga 2021.1 allows the import of profiles from FieldTwin directly to the Olga profile generator to use for further analysis and simulation.
The computational procedure for speed of sound has been improved. This ensures higher accuracy when operating around the critical point
Olga 2021.1 introduces improved flexibility and usability for users to assist in design of high-pressure protection systems and the associated modelling of the scenarios
Several improvements for existing CO2 capabilities have been implemented—including an improved table for single component CO2 option, improvements for the viscosity model, and priority fixes for tuning of mass transfer rate for a single-component model.
It is now possible to use a special low-pressure handling feature. When activated, if below a defined pressure threshold, the Olga simulator calculates the fluid properties and flashing with special consideration to avoid numerical problems.
Olga 2020.2 introduces a new key in the inflow performance relationship (IPR) keywords. The key can be used to select how to convert the volume flow rate of reservoir fluid at standard conditions to in situ injection rate and improves usability for such scenarios.
The HD flow model has been updated to improve its accuracy for gas condensate production systems. Extensive improved pressure-drop predictions at high gas rates for low liquid loading.
The momentum mixing across the oil/water interface has been reduced to increase oil-water slip and increase water accumulation for gravity dominated flow at high gas flow rates.
The slug initiation model is extended to include initiation of slug bubbles in bubbly flow improving prediction of slug dynamics in liquid dominated systems.
Improved pig model capabilities to simulate complex pigging scenarios involving long traveling distances, complicated pipeline geometry as well as multiple pig trains with large pressure and/or liquid discontinuities across the pigs.
The CSMA High Accuracy (HA) model for aqueous phase properties is used in Olga Compositional Tracking improving accuracy when modelling aqueous component mixtures.
The integration between Olga and Symmetry enables integration between upstream and process operations. High performance communication yields efficient data transfer and rapid insight.