Application of porous medium approach to simulate UCG process

•Describing main assumptions in order to adapt the porous medium approach for UCG simulation.•Developing relationships between basic analyses on coal and required parameters for porous medium simulators.•Developing a numerical simulation model for pyrolysis process using porous medium approach.•Simulating self-gasification process in cylindrical coal using hydrocarbon simulators. Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a promising technique where coal is converted into valuable syngas in underground reactors developed in coal seams. This method is of paramount interest due to its lower cost, the ability to access coal at greater depths, and the utilization of oil and gas technologies and previously drilled wells to reach the coal seams. In this study, the main assumptions of a porous medium approach for the simulation of the UCG process are explained in detail. Moreover, the formula and procedure to obtain the required parameters through hydrocarbon reservoir simulators are presented. The proposed method is evaluated with three case studies. Computer Modelling Group’s STARS software is used in this study.