Concurrently, the real price of computers has dropped. Large scale simulations are now economic. With Alberta's oil reservoirs in advanced stages of depletion, production optimization will become necessary. More widespread use of numerical modelling will occur. The numerical procedures within the models have improved.
Models are more stable and have become much easier to run.
There are, however, many dangers in reservoir simulation. Models will run numerically in spite of basic errors in reservoir description or choice of grid. Reservoir simulation requires specialized knowledge of numerical considerations. For these reasons it can be desirable to have a specialty consultant perform these studies. In the ARE's opinion reservoir simulation studies vary greatly in quality.