Hydraulic Characterization of Fractured Reservoirs: Simulation on Discrete Fracture Models

Abstract

SummaryAdvanced characterization methodology and software are now able to provide realistic pictures of fracture networks. However, these pictures must be validated against dynamic data like flow-meter, well-test, interference-test, or production data and calibrated in terms of hydraulic properties. This calibration and validation step is based on the simulation of those dynamic tests. What has to be overcome is the challenge of both accurately representing large and complex fracture networks and simulating matrix/fracture exchanges with a minimum number of gridblocks. This paper presents an efficient, patented solution to tackle this problem. First, a method derived from the well-known dual-porosity concept is presented. The approach consists of developing an optimized, explicit representation of the fractured medium and specific treatments of matrix/fracture exchanges and matrix/matrix flows. In this approach, matrix blocks of different volumes and shapes are associated with each fracture cell depending on the local geometry of the surrounding fractures. The matrix-block geometry is determined with a rapid image-processing algorithm. The great advantage of this approach is that it can simulate local matrix/fracture exchanges on large fractured media in a much faster and more appropriate way. Indeed, the simulation can be carried out with a much smaller number of cells compared to a fully explicit discretization of both matrix and fracture media. The proposed approach presents other advantages owing to its great flexibility. Indeed, it accurately handles the cases in which flows are not controlled by fractures alone; either the fracture network may be not hydraulically connected from one well to another, or the matrix may have a high permeability in some places. Finally, well-test cases demonstrate the reliability of the method and its range of application.