Fractured reservoir simulation

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/9305-PA· OSTI ID:5800189

Thomas, L K; Dixon, T N; Pierson, R G

This paper describes the development of a threedimensional (3D), three-phase model for simulating the flow of water, oil, and gas in a naturally fractured reservoir. A dual porosity system is used to describe the fluids present in the fractures and matrix blocks. Primary flow in the reservoir occurs within the fractures with local exchange of fluids between the fracture system and matrix blocks. The matrix/fracture transfer function is based on an extension of the equation developed by Warren and Root and accounts for capillary pressure, gravity, and viscous forces. Both the fracture flow equations and matrix/fracture flow are solved implicitly for pressure, water saturation, gas saturation, and saturation pressure. The authors present example problems to demonstrate the utility of the model. These include a comparison of their results with previous results: comparisons of individual block matrix/fracture transfers obtained using a detailed 3D grid with results using the fracture model's matrix/fracture transfer function; and 3D field-scale simulations of two- and three-phase flow. The threephase example illustrates the effect of free gas saturation on oil recovery by waterflooding.

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Co.
• OSTI ID: 5800189
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. 23:1; ISSN SEAPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW MODELS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
GAS SATURATION
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INTERSTITIAL WATER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MULTIPHASE FLOW
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PORE PRESSURE
POROSITY
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
SATURATION
SIMULATION
WATER
WATER SATURATION
WATERFLOODING
WELLS