Efficiency and Accuracy of Linearization Methods for Multi-Phase Flow in Porous Media

Summary Reservoir simulation plays a key role in understanding fluid dynamics in subsurface reservoirs, which is crucial for reducing uncertainties and optimizing development strategies. Despite advancements, simulating highly heterogeneous systems remains challenging due to geological variability and nonlinear processes. In this paper, we assess various numerical linearization methods for simulating fluid flow in heterogeneous reservoirs for black oil models, focusing on the finite centered difference (FDC), the finite backward difference (FDB), and operator-based linearization (OBL). We evaluate these methods in terms of accuracy, computational efficiency, and stability. Our goal is to identify the most suitable methods for improving the fidelity, reliability, and efficiency of reservoir simulations, particularly in the context of complex geological formations.