An approach for implementing dual porosity models in existing simulators

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:372474

Chen, J ^[1]; Miller, M A; Sepehrnoori, K ^[2]

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1. Resources Engineering Systems, Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)
2. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States)

In dual porosity modeling of naturally fractured reservoirs, the reservoir is idealized as a set of disconnected matrix blocks within a highly conductive fracture network. It has been well recognized that the conventional dual porosity model does not accurately model matrix/fracture transfer flow. In the recent literature, matrix blocks have been further discretized to account for transient flow. Unfortunately, this approach greatly increases computational cost and requires much code modification if one tries to add a dual porosity option to an existing single porosity simulator. In this paper, a new dual porosity modeling approach is presented for oil/water flow in fractured reservoirs. In the formulation, matrix blocks are also discretized. The resulting finite-difference equations for the matrix blocks, however, are mathematically decoupled form the fracture equations. The equations for the fracture system are the same as for single porosity models except for a source and/or sink term for each grid. This scheme does not affect the formulation of the original simulator, since the matrix computations are decoupled. This also greatly reduces computational and coding effort. Also, implicitness of the primary variables is maintained.

• OSTI ID: 372474
• Report Number(s): CONF-940879--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
FLOW MODELS
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
POROSITY
RESERVOIR ROCK
SIMULATION