A Physically Based Approach for Modeling Multiphase Fracture-Matrix Interaction in Fractured Porous Media

Journal Article · Mon Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 2004 · Advances in Water Resources

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2004.07.002· OSTI ID:835352

Wu, Yu-Shu ^[1]; Pan, Lehua; Pruess, Karsten

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1. LBNL Library

Modeling fracture-matrix interaction within a complex multiple phase flow system is a key issue for fractured reservoir simulation. Commonly used mathematical models for dealing with such interactions employ a dual- or multiple-continuum concept, in which fractures and matrix are represented as overlapping, different, but interconnected continua, described by parallel sets of conservation equations. The conventional single-point upstream weighting scheme, in which the fracture relative permeability is used to represent the counterpart at the fracture-matrix interface, is the most common scheme by which to estimate flow mobility for fracture-matrix flow terms. However, such a scheme has a serious flaw, which may lead to unphysical solutions or significant numerical errors. To overcome the limitation of the conventional upstream weighting scheme, this paper presents a physically based modeling approach for estimating physically correct relative permeability in calculating multiphase flow between fractures and the matrix, using continuity of capillary pressure at the fracture-matrix interface. The proposed approach has been implemented into two multiphase reservoir simulators and verified using analytical solutions and laboratory experimental data. The new method is demonstrated to be accurate, numerically efficient, and easy to implement in dual- or multiple-continuum models.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 835352
• Report Number(s): LBNL--54749
• Journal Information: Advances in Water Resources, Journal Name: Advances in Water Resources Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 27
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MULTIPHASE FLOW
PERMEABILITY
SIMULATION
SIMULATORS