Threshold pressure gradient in fractured reservoirs: Experimental simulation and mathematical modeling

Abstract

Aiming to solve the problems of unclear fluid flow laws and controlling factors in fractured reservoirs, as well as the lack of a mathematical model of threshold pressure gradient (TPG) considering fracture structural parameters, research on the structural characterization of fractured reservoirs, physical simulation of fluid flow, and TPG prediction models has been carried out. Physical simulations demonstrate that fluid flow in fractured reservoirs under stress is nonlinear and exhibits TPG. The TPG displays a significant positive exponential relationship with confining pressure and water saturation. As the confining pressure or water saturation increases, the effective opening of fractures decreases. The TPG will increase dramatically when the fracture opening decreases to the critical thickness for the rapid increase in TPG. On the basis of the fluid flow law study, the TPG fractal prediction model is further developed based on fractal dimension of fracture length distribution (Df), fractal dimension of tortuosity (DT), water saturation (Sw), maximum fracture width (wmax), limit shear stress (η0), and sample characteristic length (L0). The results predicted by the model show good agreement with physical simulations (with average relative error of 7.56%). Experimental simulation and mathematical modeling of TPG in fractured reservoirs can reveal the fluid flow mechanism and improve the accurate evaluation of production capacity during different development processes.