Study of fracture-induced anisotropy from discrete fracture network simulation of well test responses

Leckenby, R. J.; Lonergan, Lidia; Rogers, S.; Sanderson, David J.

doi:10.1144/gsl.sp.2007.270.01.09

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Numerical modelling including the finite element method (e.g. Leckenby et al 2007;Smart et al 2009;Strijker et al 2013) and the discrete element method (e.g. Camac & Hunt 2009;Abe et al 2013;Virgo et al 2013;Spence & Finch 2014) can be used to investigate fracturing processes and to simulate the creation of fracture networks from geologically realistic mechanical stratigraphies.…”

Section: Characterizing Fracture Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

Spence

Couples

Bevan

et al. 2014

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Naturally fractured reservoirs, within which porosity, permeability pathways and/or impermeable barriers formed by the fracture network interact with those of the host rock matrix to influence fluid flow and storage, can occur in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. These reservoirs constitute a substantial percentage of remaining hydrocarbon resources; they create exploration targets in otherwise impermeable rocks, including under-explored crystalline basement, and they can be used as geological stores for anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Their complex fluid flow behaviour during production has traditionally proved difficult to predict, causing a large degree of uncertainty in reservoir development. The applied study of naturally fractured reservoirs seeks to constrain this uncertainty and maximize production by developing new understanding, and is necessarily a broad, integrated, interdisciplinary topic. Some of the methods, challenges and advances in characterizing the interplay of rock matrix and fracture networks relevant to fluid flow and hydrocarbon recovery are reviewed and discussed via the contributions in this volume.Global estimates of conventional hydrocarbon resources are typically subdivided based on lithological reservoir types for example, carbonate or siliciclastic (e.g. Roehl & Choquette 1985). However, many of these sedimentary rock reservoirs may contain fractures to a greater or lesser degree. The recent boom of unconventional reservoirs highlights once again the key role that natural fractures can play in helping production of fluids. It also requires an improved understanding of the geology and physics of natural fracture networks to meet public expectations regarding safety issues. Moreover, fracture networks can be present in otherwise impermeable crystalline basement rocks (e.g. Sanders et al. 2003;Murray & Montgomery 2012;Slightam 2012) and igneous intrusions (e.g. Gudmundsson & Løtveit 2012), also allowing these rocks to form potential fractured reservoirs. Historically, fractured crystalline basement rocks have been under-explored as potential hydrocarbon reservoirs. Naturally fractured reservoirs constitute a substantial percentage of remaining hydrocarbon resources. Naturally fractured reservoirsA reservoir fracture is a general term used to describe a 'naturally occurring macroscopic planar discontinuity in rock due to deformation, or physical diagenesis' (Nelson 2001). Reservoir fractures encompass both extensional ( joints) and shear (faults) structures. Fractures formed by brittle tectonic deformation are the most common focus for studies of naturally fractured reservoirs. However, reservoir fractures may also include structures that formed by desiccation (e.g. shrinkage cracks) and syneresis (e.g. chickenwire texture) in sediments, and structures that formed by thermal , as used here. Naturally fractured reservoirs are generally defined as such when the fracture network has a significant influence on fluid flow in the reservoir such that: (1) the fracture networ...

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Section: Characterizing Fracture Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both continuum (e.g. Leckenby et al 2007;Smart et al 2009;Segura et al 2011;Strijker et al 2013) and discontinuum approaches (e.g. Hardy & Finch 2007;Camac & Hunt 2009;Abe et al 2013;Spence & Finch 2013Virgo et al 2013) can be used.…”

Section: Simulating Creation Of Fracture Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

Spence

Couples

Bevan

et al. 2014

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Performance analysis and optimal design for well patterns in anisotropic formations

Liu

2008

Pet. Sci.

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The mechanism of the effects of anisotropic permeability on well patterns and reservoir development are investigated by coordinate transformation, fl uid fl ow analysis, and reservoir development concepts. Anisotropy of permeability has reconstructive effects on well patterns. The originally designed flooding units are broken up, and new pattern units are made up of the wells that belong to different original units. The behavior possesses strong randomness, and leads to a complicated relationship among the injection and production wells, and unpredictable productivity of the formations. To prevent the break-up of well patterns, well lines should be either parallel or perpendicular to the maximum principal direction of the anisotropic permeability (i.e. the fracture direction). To optimize the development effects of anisotropic formations, the latitudinal and longitudinal well spacing of the well network are calculated from the principal values of the anisotropic permeability.

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The modelling of fractured reservoirs: constraints and potential for fracture network geometry and hydraulics analysis

Makel

2007

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The interconnectedness of a subsurface fracture system depends on five fracture and fracture set geometry characteristics: density, orientation, dimensions (height and length), connectivity and aperture. Orientation and density can be determined with some degree of accuracy but the uncertainty ranges associated with the other characteristics will be large. Calibration with dynamic indicators will bring out the hydraulic properties of the network and can help to reduce uncertainty in the geometric characteristics. The fracture network geometry in the inter-well space can be described through geostatistical analysis but more commonly it is derived from seismic data, through edge detection or the analysis and calibration of seismic velocity anisotropy attributes or curvature analysis. Geomechanical analysis is necessary to evaluate the impact on network conductivity of the changing stress state in the reservoir. Using percolation theory, a qualitative assessment can be made of how the conductivity and interconnectedness of the fracture network is developed in terms of network clusters. This integrated analysis of static and dynamic fracture data leads to the formulation of conceptual models and a set of modelling rules. A Digital (Discrete) Fracture Network model, based on these concept(s), rules and inter-well interpolation data, can then be analysed in terms of expected network cluster size, distribution and hydraulics. This provides a control on the expectations embedded in the concepts prior to dynamic modelling. The uncertainties are normally quite large and very seldom will they allow construction of the definitive fracture model. The systematic and integrated analysis of fracture network geometry, constrained with dynamic indicators and subsequent network cluster analysis, are necessary preparatory steps for construction and analysis of dynamic models.

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Study of fracture-induced anisotropy from discrete fracture network simulation of well test responses

Cited by 4 publications

References 41 publications

Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

Performance analysis and optimal design for well patterns in anisotropic formations

The modelling of fractured reservoirs: constraints and potential for fracture network geometry and hydraulics analysis

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