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Fracture matrix transfer functions have long been recognized as tools in modelling naturally fractured reservoirs. If a significant degree of fracturing is present, models involving single matrix blocks and matrix block distributions become relevant. However, this captures only the largest fracture sets and treats the matrix blocks as homogeneous, though possibly anisotropic. Herein, we produce the steady and transient baseline solutions for depletion for such models. Multiscale models pass below grid scale information to the larger scale system with some numerical cost. Instead, for below block scale information, we take the analytic solution to the Diffusivity Equation for transient inflow performance of wells of arbitrary trajectory, originally developed for Neumann boundary conditions, and recast it for Dirichlet boundaries with possible internal fractures of variable density, length, and orientation. As such, it represents the analytical solution for a heterogeneous matrix block surrounded by a constant pressure sink, we take to be the primary fracture system. Instead of using a constant rate internal boundary condition on a fracture surrounded by matrix, we segment the fracture and, through imposed material balance, force the internal complex fracture feature to be a constant pressure element with net zero flux. In doing so, we create a representative matrix block with infinite conductivity subscale fractures that impact the overall drainage into the surrounding fracture system. We vary the internal fracture structure and delineate sensitivity to fracture spacing and extent of fracturing. We generate the complete transient solution, enabling new well test interpretation for such systems in characterization of block size distributions or extent of below block-scale fracturing. The initial model for fully-penetrating fractures can be extended to 3D, generalized floating fractures of arbitrary inclination, and internal complex fracture networks.
Fracture matrix transfer functions have long been recognized as tools in modelling naturally fractured reservoirs. If a significant degree of fracturing is present, models involving single matrix blocks and matrix block distributions become relevant. However, this captures only the largest fracture sets and treats the matrix blocks as homogeneous, though possibly anisotropic. Herein, we produce the steady and transient baseline solutions for depletion for such models. Multiscale models pass below grid scale information to the larger scale system with some numerical cost. Instead, for below block scale information, we take the analytic solution to the Diffusivity Equation for transient inflow performance of wells of arbitrary trajectory, originally developed for Neumann boundary conditions, and recast it for Dirichlet boundaries with possible internal fractures of variable density, length, and orientation. As such, it represents the analytical solution for a heterogeneous matrix block surrounded by a constant pressure sink, we take to be the primary fracture system. Instead of using a constant rate internal boundary condition on a fracture surrounded by matrix, we segment the fracture and, through imposed material balance, force the internal complex fracture feature to be a constant pressure element with net zero flux. In doing so, we create a representative matrix block with infinite conductivity subscale fractures that impact the overall drainage into the surrounding fracture system. We vary the internal fracture structure and delineate sensitivity to fracture spacing and extent of fracturing. We generate the complete transient solution, enabling new well test interpretation for such systems in characterization of block size distributions or extent of below block-scale fracturing. The initial model for fully-penetrating fractures can be extended to 3D, generalized floating fractures of arbitrary inclination, and internal complex fracture networks.
Representative single anisotropic matrix block 2D Green’s function models for depletion through fully-penetrating, vertical fractures through different numbers of fracture faces are constructed that analytically capture both fracture and block depletion with fracture-matrix mass transfer. The 1D Green’s function for a fracture system is likewise solved in terms of the time evolution of average fracture pressure. While transient average pressure values are not inherently measurable, they are transformed into cumulative production or instantaneous flowrate values, thus producing new rate decline model functional forms. Primary variables in assembling the interacting systems model are the volume ratio, Vf /Vm, permeability ratio, kf /kx, and geometry, (a/b)(ky/kx), with the last term accounting for both block shape and permeability anisotropy. We construct interacting systems models in terms of various ratios of Vf /Vm, and kf /kx for three fracture architecture prototypes: representative matrix blocks depleted by 4, 2, or 1 contacting fractures. The single matrix block models can be migrated to ones for heterogeneous systems using superposition and matrix block distributions, as demonstrated with a binary distribution of block sizes with variable fractions. Analytic solutions for rate decline problems can be used to understand the production signatures of naturally fractured reservoirs and interpretation of fracture volume fraction, permeability ratio, average matrix block size, and measures of heterogeneity.
The objective of this project is to perform unique laboratory experiments with artificial fractured cores (AFCs) and X-ray CT to examine the physical mechanisms of bypassing in HFR and NFR that eventually result in less efficient CO 2 flooding in heterogeneous or fracture-dominated reservoirs. This report provides results of the second semi-annual technical progress report that consists of three different topics.
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