The oil reserves of a fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoir are abundant. It is important to study the flow pattern in fractured-vuggy media for developing fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs. In this article, the curves of velocity vs. pressure gradient under different vug density have been drawn by completing the experiment of single-phase fluid flow. Using experimental data, the critical velocity at which the linear flow period changes to a non-linear flow period has been calculated by researching the relationship of the Reynolds number and the resistance coefficient. Based on the Darcy formula and the Forchheimer formula, the expressions of permeability and coefficients of the Forchheimer formula, which are function of vug density, have been calculated by fitting experimental data. A single-phase fluid flow pattern in fractured-vuggy media with different vug density has been built. Conclusions are as follows: With an increase of vug density, the pressure gradient at the same velocity decreases and the critical velocity increases. The flow pattern can be described by the Darcy formula when the velocity is smaller than the critical velocity and by the Forchheimer formula when the velocity is bigger than the critical velocity.
Abstract-Fractured vuggy reservoirs have long been observed. A thorough understanding of the variability and fluid flow in fractured vuggy carbonates is lacking. Classical theories of fluid flow are not applicable for highly heterogeneous carbonates. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on this type of carbonate which is found in many petroleum reservoirs. Singlephase flow in fractured vuggy media is studied by finite element method. The purpose of this study is to obtain phenomenological data (streamlines, velocity and pressure) during flow in a fractured vuggy media to better understand the effect of vug density on flow. Numerical simulation on fractured vuggy model with different vug density are suggested that gravitational impact on flow is more significant in vugs; in identical horizontal plane, velocity in vug is less than velocity in fracture; pressure drop between the both sides of model with bigger vug density is less.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.