A coupled local–global upscaling approach for simulating flow in highly heterogeneous formations

A new technique for generating coarse scale models of highly heterogeneous subsurface formations is developed and applied. The method uses generic global coarse scale simulations to determine the boundary conditions for the local calculation of upscaled properties (permeability or transmissibility). An iteration procedure assures consistency between the local and global calculations. Transport processes are simulated using a subgrid velocity reconstruction technique applied in conjunction with the local–global upscaling procedure. For highly heterogeneous (e.g., channelized) systems, the new method is shown to provide considerably more accurate coarse scale models for flow and transport, relative to reference fine scale results, than do existing local (and extended local) upscaling techniques. The applicability of the upscaled models for different global boundary conditions is also considered.