Performance studies of the fixed stress split algorithm for immiscible two-phase flow coupled with linear poromechanics

In this work, we measure the performance of the fixed stress split algorithm for the immiscible water-oil flow coupled with linear poromechanics. The two-phase flow equations are solved on general hexahedral elements using the multipoint flux mixed finite element method whereas the poromechanics equations are discretized using the conforming Galerkin method. We introduce a rigorous calculation of the update in poroelastic properties during the iterative solution of the coupled system equations. The effects of the coupling parameter on the performance of the fixed stress algorithm is demonstrated in two field studies: the Frio oil reservoir and the Cranfield injection site.