Estimation of Fracture Porosity of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs With No Matrix Porosity Using Fractal Discrete Fracture Networks

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 232-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae H. Kim ◽  
David S. Schechter
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Aperture ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Fracture Porosity ◽  
Fracture Systems ◽  
Discrete Fracture ◽  
Naturally Fractured ◽  
Matrix Porosity

Summary Matrix porosity is relatively easy to measure and estimate compared to fracture porosity. On the other hand, fracture porosity is highly heterogeneous and very difficult to measure and estimate. When matrix porosity of naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs) is negligible, it is very important to know fracture porosity to evaluate reservoir performance. Because fracture porosity is highly uncertain, fractal discrete fracture network (FDFN) generation codes were developed to estimate fracture porosity. To reflect scale-dependent characteristics of fracture networks, fractal theories are adopted. FDFN modeling technique enables the systematic use of data obtained from image log and core analysis for estimating fracture porosity. As a result, each fracture has its own fracture aperture distribution, so that generated FDFN are similar to actual fracture systems. The results of this research will contribute to properly evaluating the fracture porosity of NFR where matrix porosity is negligible.

A New Approach to the Modeling of Hydraulic-Fracturing Treatments in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

SPE Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 1064-1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanbai Li ◽  
Dongxiao Zhang ◽  
Xiang Li
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Injection Rate ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Complex Fracture ◽  
Stress Anisotropy ◽  
Naturally Fractured

Summary A fully coupled thermal/hydromechanical (THM) model for hydraulic-fracturing treatments is developed in this study. In this model, the mixed finite-volume/finite-element method is used to solve the coupled system, in which the multipoint flux approximation L-method is used to calculate interelement fluid and heat flux. The Gu et al. (2011) crossing criterion is extended to a 3D scenario to delineate the crossing behaviors as hydraulic fractures meet inclined natural fractures. Moreover, the modified Barton et al. (1985) model proposed by Asadollahi et al. (2010) is used to estimate the fracture aperture and model the shear-dilation effect. After being (partially) verified by means of comparison with results from the literature, the developed model is used to investigate complex-fracture-network propagation in naturally fractured reservoirs. Numerical experiments show that the key factors controlling the complexity of the induced-fracture networks include stress anisotropy, injection rate, natural-fracture distribution (fracture-dip angle, strike angle, spacing, density, and length), fracture-filling properties (the degree of cementation and permeability), fracture-surface properties (cohesion and friction angle), and tensile strength of intact rock. It is found that the smaller the stress anisotropy and/or the lower the injection rate, the more complex the fracture network; a high rock tensile strength could increase the possibility of the occurrence of shear fractures; and under conditions of large permeability of fracture filling combined with small cohesive strength and friction coefficient, shear slip could become the dominant mechanism for generating complex-fracture networks. The model developed and the results presented can be used to understand the propagation of complex-fracture networks and aid in the design and optimization of hydraulic-fracturing treatments.

scholarly journals A new methodology to reduce uncertainty of global attributes in naturally fractured reservoirs

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Augusto Nagasaki Costa ◽  
Célio Maschio ◽  
Denis José Schiozer
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
History Matching ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Aperture ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Fractured Reservoir ◽  
Naturally Fractured

Accurately characterizing fractures is complex. Several studies have proposed reducing uncertainty by incorporating fracture characterization into simulations, using a probabilistic approach, to maintain the geological consistency, of a range of models instead of a single matched model. We propose a new methodology, based on one of the steps of a general history-matching workflow, to reduce uncertainty of reservoir attributes in naturally fractured reservoirs. This methodology maintains geological consistency and can treat many reservoir attributes. To guarantee geological consistency, the geostatistical attributes (e.g., fracture aperture, length, and orientation) are used as parameters in the history matching. This allows us to control Discrete Fracture Network attributes, and systematically modify fractures. The iterative sensitivity analysis allows the inclusion of many (30 or more) uncertain attributes that might occur in a practical case. At each uncertainty reduction step, we use a sensitivity analysis to identify the most influential attributes to treat in each step. Working from the general history-matching workflow of Avansi et al. (2016), we adapted steps for use with our methodology, integrating the history matching with geostatistical modeling of fractures and other properties in a big loop approach. We applied our methodology to a synthetic case study of a naturally fractured reservoir, based on a real semi-synthetic carbonate field, offshore Brazil, to demonstrate the applicability in practical and complex cases. From the initial 18 uncertain attributes, we worked with only 5 and reduced the overall variability of the Objective Functions. Although the focus is on naturally fractured reservoirs, the proposed methodology can be applied to any type of reservoir.

scholarly journals Impact of Fracture Topology on the Fluid Flow Behavior of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5488
Author(s):  
Leidy Laura Alvarez ◽  
Leonardo José do Nascimento Guimarães ◽  
Igor Fernandes Gomes ◽  
Leila Beserra ◽  
Leonardo Cabral Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Shape Factor ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Discrete Fracture Network ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Equivalent Permeability ◽  
Discrete Fracture ◽  
Naturally Fractured

Fluid flow modeling of naturally fractured reservoirs remains a challenge because of the complex nature of fracture systems controlled by various chemical and physical phenomena. A discrete fracture network (DFN) model represents an approach to capturing the relationship of fractures in a fracture system. Topology represents the connectivity aspect of the fracture planes, which have a fundamental role in flow simulation in geomaterials involving fractures and the rock matrix. Therefore, one of the most-used methods to treat fractured reservoirs is the double porosity-double permeability model. This approach requires the shape factor calculation, a key parameter used to determine the effects of coupled fracture-matrix fluid flow on the mass transfer between different domains. This paper presents a numerical investigation that aimed to evaluate the impact of fracture topology on the shape factor and equivalent permeability through hydraulic connectivity (f). This study was based on numerical simulations of flow performed in discrete fracture network (DFN) models embedded in finite element meshes (FEM). Modeled cases represent four hypothetical examples of fractured media and three real scenarios extracted from a Brazilian pre-salt carbonate reservoir model. We have compared the results of the numerical simulations with data obtained using Oda’s analytical model and Oda’s correction approach, considering the hydraulic connectivity f. The simulations showed that the equivalent permeability and the shape factor are strongly influenced by the hydraulic connectivity (f) in synthetic scenarios for X and Y-node topological patterns, which showed the higher value for f (0.81) and more expressive values for upscaled permeability (kx-node = 0.1151 and ky-node = 0.1153) and shape factor (25.6 and 14.5), respectively. We have shown that the analytical methods are not efficient for estimating the equivalent permeability of the fractured medium, including when these methods were corrected using topological aspects.

A Semianalytical Approach for Obtaining Type Curves of Multiple-Fractured Horizontal Wells With Secondary-Fracture Networks

SPE Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (02) ◽  
pp. 538-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiming Chen ◽  
Xinwei Liao ◽  
Xiaoliang Zhao ◽  
Sanbo Lv ◽  
Langtao Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Transient Pressure ◽  
Secondary Fracture ◽  
Type Curves ◽  
Complex Fracture ◽  
Fracture Systems ◽  
Naturally Fractured

Summary In naturally fractured reservoirs, complex fracture systems can easily develop along a horizontal wellbore during hydraulic fracturing. In the fracture systems, multiple, discrete secondary fractures are connected to the multiple-fractured horizontal well (MFHW). Because of the fracture complexity, most studies about performance forecast of such MFHWs highly depend on numerical simulators. In this paper, a new semianalytical approach is proposed to overcome the challenge to analyze the pressure behavior of MFHWs in complex-fracture systems. First, a mathematical model for MFHWs with secondary-fracture networks is established. Then, with Gauss elimination and the Stehfest numerical algorithm (Stehfest 1970), the transient-pressure solution of the mathematical model is solved, and type curves of MFHWs with secondary-fracture networks are obtained. After that, model validation and sensitivity analysis are conducted. It is found that the presented approach can rapidly and accurately generate type curves of MFHWs with secondary-fracture networks. This work provides very meaningful references for reservoir engineers in fracturing evaluations as well as performance estimations of MFHWs in naturally fractured reservoirs.

A Sensitivity Analysis for Effective Parameters on 2D Fracture-Network Permeability

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (03) ◽  
pp. 455-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Jafari ◽  
Tayfun Babadagli
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity Analysis ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Static Model ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Single Fracture ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Fractal Characteristics

Summary Fracture-network mapping and estimation of its permeability constitute two major steps in static-model preparation of naturally fractured reservoirs. Although several different analytical methods were proposed in the past for calculating fracture-network permeability (FNP), different approaches are still needed for practical use. We propose a new and practical approach to estimate FNP using statistical and fractal characteristics of fracture networks. We also provide a detailed sensitivity analysis to determine the relative importance of fracture-network parameters on the FNP in comparison to single-fracture conductivity using an experimental-design approach. The FNP is controlled by many different fracture-network parameters such as fracture length, density, orientation, aperture, and single-fracture connectivity. Five different 2D fracture data sets were generated for random and systematic orientations. In each data set, 20 different combinations of fracture density and length for different orientations were tested. For each combination, 10 different realizations were generated. The length was considered as constant and variable. This yielded a total of 1,000 trials. The FNPs were computed through a commercial discrete-fracture-network (DFN) modeling simulator for all cases. Then, we correlated different statistical and fractal characteristics of the networks to the measured FNPs using multivariable-regression analysis. Twelve fractal (sandbox, box counting, and scanline fractal dimensions) and statistical (average length, density, orientation, and connectivity index) parameters were tested against the measured FNP for synthetically generated fracture networks for a wide range of fracture properties. All cases were above the percolation threshold to obtain a percolating network, and the matrix effect was neglected. The correlation obtained through this analysis using four data sets was tested on the fifth one with known permeability for verification. High-quality match was obtained. Finally, we adopted an experimental-design approach to identify the most-critical parameters on the FNP for different fracture-network types. The results are presented as Pareto charts. It is believed that the new method and results presented in this paper will be useful for practitioners in static-model development of naturally fractured reservoirs and will shed light on further studies on modeling and understanding the transmissibility characteristics of fracture networks. It should be emphasized that this study was conducted on 2D fracture networks and could be extended to 3D models. This, however, requires further algorithm development to use 2D fractal characteristics for 3D systems and/or development of fractal measurement techniques for a 3D system. This study will provide a guideline for this type of research.

EFFECT OF FRACTAL FRACTURES ON PERMEABILITY IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL DIGITAL ROCKS

Fractals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (01) ◽  
pp. 1940015 ◽  
Author(s):  
WEIFENG LV ◽  
GUOLIANG YAN ◽  
YONGDONG LIU ◽  
XUEFENG LIU ◽  
DONGXING DU ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractal Dimension ◽  
Fractal Theory ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Absolute Permeability ◽  
Fracture Aperture ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Discrete Fracture Networks ◽  
Discrete Fracture ◽  
The Relationship

The fracture has great impact on the flow behavior in fractured reservoirs. Fracture traces are usually self-similar and scale-independent, which makes the fractal theory become a powerful tool to characterize fracture. To obtain three-dimensional (3D) digital rocks reflecting the properties of fractured reservoirs, we first generate discrete fracture networks by stochastic modeling based on the fractal theory. These fracture networks are then added to the existing digital rocks of rock matrixes. We combine two low-permeable cores as rock matrixes with a group of discrete fracture networks with fractal characteristics. Various types of fractured digital rocks are obtained by adjusting different fracture parameters. Pore network models are extracted from the 3D fractured digital rock. Then the permeability is predicted by Darcy law to investigate the impacts of fracture properties to the absolute permeability. The permeability of fractured rock is subject to exponential increases with fracture aperture. The relationship between the permeability and the fractal dimension of fracture centers is exponential, as well as the relationship between permeability and the fractal dimension of fracture lengths.

scholarly journals New algorithm to simulate fracture network propagation using stationary and moving coordinates in naturally fractured reservoirs

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 4025-4042
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Li ◽  
Zhilin Qi ◽  
Wende Yan ◽  
Xiaoliang Huang ◽  
Qianhua Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Naturally Fractured ◽  
Network Propagation
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