Permeability Model of Unsaturated Fractured Porous Media Based on Tree-like Network and Finite Element Method

Abstract

In order to characterize the multi-scale structures of fractures and understand the multiphase fluid flow mechanisms in unconventional reservoirs, a physical conceptual model is developed for the gas-water flow through fractured porous media based on tree-like networks. The finite element method is carried out to explore the local flow field properties based on the level set method. The results show that the successive branching ratio and branching angle of the network take significant effect on the absolute permeability and relative permeability of fractured porous media. The proposed model for fractured porous media may provide theoretical basis for the development of unconventional oil and gas resources, carbon dioxide geological sequestration, ground water mining etc.