A semi-discrete central scheme for the approximation of two-phase flows in three space dimensions

We present a new second-order (in space), semi-discrete, central scheme for the approximation of hyperbolic conservation laws in three space dimensions. The proposed scheme is applied to a model for two-phase, immiscible and incompressible displacement in heterogeneous porous media. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate its ability to approximate solutions of hyperbolic equations efficiently and accurately in petroleum reservoir simulations. (C) 2011 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.