An efficient three-dimensional embedded discrete fracture model for production simulation of multi-stage fractured horizontal well

Abstract

In this paper, an efficient three-dimensional (3D) embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM) for production simulation of multistage fractured horizontal well is developed. The proposed model can be adaptive to vertical and inclined fractures with arbitrary shapes in any position of 3D reservoirs. The boundary integral equations of transient flow equations are handled to approximate the transfer flux between matrix gridblocks and their containing fracture cells, and this approximation has a higher accuracy than that in original 3D EDFM. Meanwhile, corresponding methods of fracture-shape characterization and calculating the multiple singular integrals on arbitrary polygonal fracture cells are introduced. Three examples are implemented to confirm the proposed 3D EDFM is valid and indeed accomplishes a more accurate modeling of transient effects compared with original 3D EDFM. Furthermore, two cases of natural depletion with a complex fracture network, water flooding with inclined elliptic fractures are implemented to demonstrate the performance and applicability of the proposed 3D EDFM to production simulation of multi-stage fractured horizontal well.