Numerical Modeling of Inertial Flows in Proppant-Reservoir Rock Interfaces

Abstract

Predicting accurate pressure drops in the reservoirs is essential for estimating the ultimate hydrocarbons recoveries and production rates. In hydraulically fractured wells, inertial flows can cause excessive pressure drops, beyond the predicted values form the Darcy equation. Therefore, predicting these excessive pressure drops through defining non-Darcy factors is of particular significance. I want to express my most sincere gratitude to my adviser Dr. Ali Takbiri Borujeni for giving me the opportunity to work under his advising and for spending the time in providing me with the necessary knowledge and the necessary resources in order to successfully complete this work. Moreover, I would like to acknowledge my committee members Ebrahim Fathi, Ph.D and H.Ilkin Bilgesu, Ph.D for their contribution and for critiquing this work which gave the final shape of this project. Furthermore, I want to express my gratitude to faculty and staff of the Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering at the