scholarly journals The MINC proximity function for fractured reservoirs flow modeling with non-uniform block distribution

2021 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Nicolas Farah ◽  
Ali Ghadboun
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Special Treatment ◽  
Flow Modeling ◽  
Transient Effects ◽  
Proximity Function ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Transient Period ◽  
Block Distribution

Reservoir simulation is a powerful technique to predict the amount of produced hydrocarbon. After a solid representation of the natural fracture geometry, an accurate simulation model and a physical reservoir model that account for different flow regimes should be developed. Many models based on dual-continuum approaches presented in the literature rely on the Pseudo-Steady-State (PSS) assumption to model the inter-porosity flow. Due to the low permeability in such reservoirs, the transient period could reach several years. Thus, the PSS assumption becomes unjustified. The numerical solution adopted by the Multiple INteracting Continua (MINC) method was able to simulate the transient effects previously overlooked by dual-continuum approaches. However, its accuracy drops with increasing fracture network complexity. A special treatment of the MINC method, i.e., the MINC Proximity Function (MINC–PF) was introduced to address the latter problem. And yet, the MINC–PF suffers a limitation that arises from the existence of several grid-blocks within a studied cell. In this work, this limitation is discussed and two possible solutions (transmissibility recalculation/adjusting the Proximity Function by accounting for nearby fractures) are put forward. Both proposed methods have demonstrated their applicability and effectiveness once compared to a reference solution.

scholarly journals The Role of In Situ Stress in Organizing Flow Pathways in Natural Fracture Networks at the Percolation Threshold

Geofluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanyin Jiang ◽  
Xiaoguang Wang ◽  
Zhixue Sun ◽  
Qinghua Lei
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Percolation Threshold ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
In Situ Stress ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Fracture Aperture ◽  
Dilation Effect ◽  
Stress Dependent

We investigated the effect of in situ stresses on fluid flow in a natural fracture network. The fracture network model is based on an actual critically connected (i.e., close to the percolation threshold) fracture pattern mapped from a field outcrop. We derive stress-dependent fracture aperture fields using a hybrid finite-discrete element method. We analyze the changes of aperture distribution and fluid flow field with variations of in situ stress orientation and magnitude. Our simulations show that an isotropic stress loading tends to reduce fracture apertures and suppress fluid flow, resulting in a decrease of equivalent permeability of the fractured rock. Anisotropic stresses may cause a significant amount of sliding of fracture walls accompanied with shear-induced dilation along some preferentially oriented fractures, resulting in enhanced flow heterogeneity and channelization. When the differential stress is further elevated, fracture propagation becomes prevailing and creates some new flow paths via linking preexisting natural fractures, which attempts to increase the bulk permeability but attenuates the flow channelization. Comparing to the shear-induced dilation effect, it appears that the propagation of new cracks leads to a more prominent permeability enhancement for the natural fracture system. The results have particularly important implications for predicting the hydraulic responses of fractured rocks to in situ stress fields and may provide useful guidance for the strategy design of geofluid production from naturally fractured reservoirs.

Modelling large-scale fractured reservoirs efficiently for geothermal energy and groundwater flow

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Oldfield ◽  
Mikael Lüthje ◽  
Michael Welch ◽  
Florian Smit
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Persistent Problem ◽  
Fracture Evolution ◽  
Rapid Generation

<p>Large scale modelling of fractured reservoirs is a persistent problem in representing fluid flow in the subsurface. Considering a geothermal energy prospect beneath the Drenthe Aa area, we demonstrate application of a recently developed approach to efficiently predict fracture network geometry across an area of several square kilometres.</p><p>Using a strain based method to mechanically model fracture nucleation and propagation, we generate a discretely modelled fracture network consisting of individual failure planes, opening parallel and perpendicular to the orientation of maximum and minimum strain. Fracture orientation, length and interactions vary following expected trends, forming a connected fracture network featuring population statistics and size distributions comparable to outcrop examples.</p><p>Modelled fracture networks appear visually similar to natural fracture networks with spatial variation in fracture clustering and the dominance of major and minor fracture trends.</p><p>Using a network topology approach, we demonstrate that the predicted fracture network shares greater geometric similarity with natural networks. Considering fluid flow through the model, we demonstrate that hydraulic conductivity and flow anisotropy are strongly dependent on the geometric connection of fracture sets.</p><p>Modelling fracture evolution mechanically allows improved representation of geometric aspects of fracture networks to which fluid flow is particularly sensitive. This method enables rapid generation of discretely modelled fractures over large areas and extraction of suitable summary statistics for reservoir simulation. Visual similarity of the output models improves our ability to compare between our model and natural analogues to consider model validation.</p>

scholarly journals Discrete Element Simulation of Interaction between Hydraulic Fracturing and a Single Natural Fracture

Fluids ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Basirat ◽  
Goshtasbi ◽  
Ahmadi
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Injection Pressure ◽  
Discrete Element ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Effective Parameters ◽  
Fracture Geometry ◽  
Interaction Mode ◽  
Element Simulation

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) treatment is performed to enhance the productivity in the fractured reservoirs. During this process, the interaction between HF and natural fracture (NF) plays a critical role by making it possible to predict fracture geometry and reservoir production. In this paper, interaction modes between HF and NF are simulated using the discrete element method (DEM) and effective parameters on the interaction mechanisms are investigated. The numerical results also are compared with different analytical methods and experimental results. The results showed that HF generally tends to cross the NF at an angle of more than 45° and a moderate differential stress (greater than 5 MPa), and the opening mode is dominated at an angle of fewer than 45°. Two effects of changing in the interaction mode and NF opening were also found by changing the strength parameters of NF. Interaction mode was changed by increasing the friction coefficient, while by increasing the cohesion of NF it was less opened under a constant injection pressure.

An integrated modeling approach for natural fractures and posttreatment fracturing analysis: A case study

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. T485-T496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Puyang ◽  
Arash Dahi Taleghani ◽  
Bhaba Sarker
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Models ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Integrated Modeling ◽  
Naturally Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Well Testing ◽  
Natural Fractures ◽  
Modeling Approach ◽  
Treatment Data

Hydraulic fracturing has been the principal production enhancement technique in low-permeability reservoirs for the past few decades. Through core and outcrop studies, advanced logging tools, microseismic mapping and well testing analysis, the complexity of induced fracture network in the presence of natural fractures has been further elucidated. Although most natural fractures are cemented by precipitations due to diagenesis, they can be reactivated during fracturing treatments and serve as preferential paths for fracture growth and fluid flow. However, current technologies for posttreatment fracture analysis are incapable of accurately determining the induced fracture geometry or estimating the distribution of preexisting natural fractures. Despite significant advances in the numerical modeling of fractured reservoirs, those numerical models require detailed characterization of natural fractures, which is essentially impossible to obtain. Moreover, most modeling techniques could not incorporate posttreatment data to reflect actual reservoir characteristics. We have developed an integrated modeling workflow to estimate the actual characteristics of fracture populations based on formation evaluations, microseismic data, treatment data, and production history. A least-squares modeling approach is first used to define possible realizations of natural fractures from selected double-couple microseismic events. Forward modeling incorporating a discrete fracture network will subsequently be used for matching treatment data and screening generated fracture realizations. Reservoir simulation tools will also be used thereafter to match the production data to further evaluate the fitness of natural fracture realizations. Our workflow is able to integrate data from multiple aspects of the reservoir development process, and the results from this workflow will provide geologist and reservoir engineers a robust tool for modeling naturally fractured reservoirs.

scholarly journals A new methodology to train fracture network simulation using multiple-point statistics

Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 537-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Olivier Bruna ◽  
Julien Straubhaar ◽  
Rahul Prabhakaran ◽  
Giovanni Bertotti ◽  
Kevin Bisdom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Reference Network ◽  
Multiple Point ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Multiple Point Statistics ◽  
Mps Method ◽  
Training Images

Abstract. Natural fracture network characteristics can be establishes from high-resolution outcrop images acquired from drone and photogrammetry. Such images might also be good analogues of subsurface naturally fractured reservoirs and can be used to make predictions of the fracture geometry and efficiency at depth. However, even when supplementing fractured reservoir models with outcrop data, gaps will remain in the model and fracture network extrapolation methods are required. In this paper we used fracture networks interpreted from two outcrops from the Apodi area, Brazil, to present a revised and innovative method of fracture network geometry prediction using the multiple-point statistics (MPS) method. The MPS method presented in this article uses a series of small synthetic training images (TIs) representing the geological variability of fracture parameters observed locally in the field. The TIs contain the statistical characteristics of the network (i.e. orientation, spacing, length/height and topology) and allow for the representation of a complex arrangement of fracture networks. These images are flexible, as they can be simply sketched by the user. We proposed to simultaneously use a set of training images in specific elementary zones of the Apodi outcrops in order to best replicate the non-stationarity of the reference network. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to emphasise the influence of the conditioning data, the simulation parameters and the training images used. Fracture density computations were performed on selected realisations and compared to the reference outcrop fracture interpretation to qualitatively evaluate the accuracy of our simulations. The method proposed here is adaptable in terms of training images and probability maps to ensure that the geological complexity in the simulation process is accounted for. It can be used on any type of rock containing natural fractures in any kind of tectonic context. This workflow can also be applied to the subsurface to predict the fracture arrangement and fluid flow efficiency in water, geothermal or hydrocarbon fractured reservoirs.

Reservoir Characterization of Fractured Gas Reservoirs Through The Integration of Dynamic Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Rahmawan
Keyword(s):  
Transient Analysis ◽  
Fractured Reservoirs ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Data Evaluation ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Production Forecast ◽  
Precision Data ◽  
Dynamic Data ◽  
Drainage Radius

The productivity and performance of fractured reservoirs are strongly controlled by the fracture network distribution. Appropriate characterization of the effective fracture network is essential to accurately quantifying production forecast and reserves. Despite the known importance, it is still very challenging to properly evaluate natural fracture connection. The S Field is a giant gas field producing from fractured reservoirs which has the capability to produce more than 800 MMscfd at the field level and individual well deliverability as high as 300 MMscfd. With the historically strong data acquisition program and recent well results being outside of the expected range, the subsurface team has completed a re-characterization study to further understand the key subsurface uncertainties and find remaining or new resource potential. Considering non-uniqueness characteristic of dynamic data analysis, reservoir engineers may tend to repeat an existing interpretation over new reservoir studies, unless there is evidence to change. The downside to this reliance is the team may miss other possible interpretations of the model that were overlooked in the past. The new model may add a new point of view in the field characterization which could explain unexpected well results. In this dynamic data evaluation, the methods primarily rely on the short-term high precision data (Pressure Transient Analysis) and the long-term dynamic production (Rate Transient Analysis). These analyses make it possible to correctly evaluate the reservoir properties around the well, such as formation permeability, well skin, drainage radius and dynamic reserves to characterize the reservoir at a larger scale and reveal the reservoir connectivity and flow barriers in the prevailing heterogeneity. Apart from the dynamic data evaluation, this paper also addressed the integration of dynamic data with the 3D seismic interpretation and geological model which define faulting or fracturing relationships that drive the well productivity. Furthermore, it helps to refine the future development strategy options for the field.

Numerical Simulation of Complex Fracture Network Development by Hydraulic Fracturing in Naturally Fractured Ultratight Formations

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannes Hofmann ◽  
Tayfun Babadagli ◽  
Günter Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Fracture Network ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
Network Development ◽  
Complex Fracture ◽  
Fracture Patterns ◽  
Fracture Systems ◽  
Fracture Development ◽  
Complex Fracture Network ◽  
Treatment Designs

The creation of large complex fracture networks by hydraulic fracturing is imperative for enhanced oil recovery from tight sand or shale reservoirs, tight gas extraction, and Hot-Dry-Rock (HDR) geothermal systems to improve the contact area to the rock matrix. Although conventional fracturing treatments may result in bi-wing fractures, there is evidence by microseismic mapping that fracture networks can develop in many unconventional reservoirs, especially when natural fracture systems are present and the differences between the principle stresses are low. However, not much insight is gained about fracture development as well as fluid and proppant transport in naturally fractured tight formations. In order to clarify the relationship between rock and treatment parameters, and resulting fracture properties, numerical simulations were performed using a commercial Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) simulator. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis is presented to identify typical fracture network patterns resulting from massive water fracturing treatments in different geological conditions. It is shown how the treatment parameters influence the fracture development and what type of fracture patterns may result from different treatment designs. The focus of this study is on complex fracture network development in different natural fracture systems. Additionally, the applicability of the DFN simulator for modeling shale gas stimulation and HDR stimulation is critically discussed. The approach stated above gives an insight into the relationships between rock properties (specifically matrix properties and characteristics of natural fracture systems) and the properties of developed fracture networks. Various simulated scenarios show typical conditions under which different complex fracture patterns can develop and prescribe efficient treatment designs to generate these fracture systems. Hydraulic stimulation is essential for the production of oil, gas, or heat from ultratight formations like shales and basement rocks (mainly granite). If natural fracture systems are present, the fracturing process becomes more complex to simulate. Our simulation results reveal valuable information about main parameters influencing fracture network properties, major factors leading to complex fracture network development, and differences between HDR and shale gas/oil shale stimulations.

Geomechanical and Fracture Network Interpretation of a Devonian Outcrop

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Scott McKean ◽  
Simon Poirier ◽  
Henry Galvis-Portilla ◽  
Marco Venieri ◽  
Jeffrey A. Priest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Nugget Effect ◽  
Schmidt Hammer ◽  
Unconventional Reservoir ◽  
Fracture Anisotropy ◽  
Fracture Intensity

Summary The Duvernay Formation is an unconventional reservoir characterized by induced seismicity and fluid migration, with natural fractures likely contributing to both cases. An alpine outcrop of the Perdrix and Flume formations, correlative with the subsurface Duvernay and Waterways formations, was investigated to characterize natural fracture networks. A semiautomated image-segmentation and fracture analysis was applied to orthomosaics generated from a photogrammetric survey to assess small- and large-scale fracture intensity and rock mass heterogeneity. The study also included manual scanlines, fracture windows, and Schmidt hammer measurements. The Perdrix section transitions from brittle fractures to en echelon fractures and shear-damage zones. Multiple scales of fractures were observed, including unconfined, bedbound fractures, and fold-relatedbed-parallel partings (BPPs). Variograms indicate a significant nugget effect along with fracture anisotropy. Schmidt hammer results lack correlation with fracture intensity. The Flume pavements exhibit a regionally extensive perpendicular joint set, tectonically driven fracturing, and multiple fault-damage zones with subvertical fractures dominating. Similar to the Perdrix, variograms show a significant nugget effect, highlighting fracture anisotropy. The results from this study suggest that small-scale fractures are inherently stochastic and that fractures observed at core scale should not be extrapolated to represent large-scale fracture systems; instead, the effects of small-scale fractures are best represented using an effective continuum approach. In contrast, large-scale fractures are more predictable according to structural setting and should be characterized robustly using geological principles. This study is especially applicable for operators and regulators in the Duvernay and similar formations where unconventional reservoir units abut carbonate formations.

Stochastic discrete fracture network modeling in shale reservoirs via integration of seismic attributes and petrophysical data

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-50
Author(s):  
Yongchae Cho
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Stochastic Approach ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Well Logs ◽  
Fracture Model ◽  
Well Log ◽  
Discrete Fracture ◽  
Discrete Fracture Network Modeling ◽  
Fracture Network Modeling

The prediction of natural fracture networks and their geomechanical properties remains a challenge for unconventional reservoir characterization. Since natural fractures are highly heterogeneous and sub-seismic scale, integrating petrophysical data (i.e., cores, well logs) with seismic data is important for building a reliable natural fracture model. Therefore, I introduce an integrated and stochastic approach for discrete fracture network modeling with field data demonstration. In the proposed method, I first perform a seismic attribute analysis to highlight the discontinuity in the seismic data. Then, I extrapolate the well log data which includes localized but high-confidence information. By using the fracture intensity model including both seismic and well logs, I build the final natural fracture model which can be used as a background model for the subsequent geomechanical analysis such as simulation of hydraulic fractures propagation. As a result, the proposed workflow combining multiscale data in a stochastic approach constructs a reliable natural fracture model. I validate the constructed fracture distribution by its good agreement with the well log data.

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.

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