An Efficient Discrete Fracture Model Applicable for General Purpose Reservoir Simulators

Karimi-Fard, Mohammad; Durlofsky, Louis J.; Aziz, Khalid

doi:10.2118/79699-ms

Cited by 108 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Reinchenberger et al [22] proposed a similar model but only for permeable faults. KarimiFard et al [17] studied the case of fracture networks for multi-phase flow and used a parallel between fault networks and electric resistances, to calculate equivalent transmissivities. Finally, [14] applied this model for a single-phase flow ruled by the Forcheimer's law.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A model for conductive faults with non-matching grids

Tunc

Faille

Gallouët³

et al. 2011

Comput Geosci

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In this paper, we are interested in modeling single-phase flow in a porous medium with known faults seen as interfaces. We mainly focus on how to handle non-matching grids problems arising from rock displacement along the fault. We describe a model that can be extended to multi-phase flow where faults are treated as interfaces. The model is validated in an academic framework and is then extended to 3D non K-orthogonal grids, and a realistic case is presented.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A model for conductive faults with non-matching grids

Tunc

Faille

Gallouët³

et al. 2011

Comput Geosci

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“…The most physically realistic and computationally accurate way to model flow and transport in fractured media is by using a discrete fracture/discrete matrix (DFDM) approach where both fracture and matrix are gridded explicitly [7,8,10,13,14,19]. However, capturing displacement in a geologically realistic fracture network requires a finely resolved grid and intricate indirect discretization approaches.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The geometry of fracture and matrix is not represented in any detail; instead, they are replaced by averaged properties in a regularized (grid-block) representation of the field. This is the dual-porosity approach that is universally used for field-scale flow modeling of fractured reservoirs [1,6,8,9,24]. The fluid exchange between the two media is accommodated using a transfer function.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation of multiphase flow in fractured reservoirs using a fracture-only model with transfer functions

2009

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We present a fracture-only reservoir simulator for multiphase flow: the fracture geometry is modeled explicitly, while fluid movement between fracture and matrix is accommodated using empirical transfer functions. This is a hybrid between discrete fracture discrete matrix modeling where both the fracture and matrix are gridded and dual-porosity or dual-permeability simulation where both fracture and matrix continua are upscaled. The advantage of this approach is that the complex fracture geometry that controls the main flow paths is retained. The use of transfer functions, however, simplifies meshing and makes the simulation method considerably more efficient than discrete fracture discrete matrix models. The transfer functions accommodate capillary-and gravity-mediated flow between fracture and matrix and have been shown to be accurate for simple fracture geometries, capturing both the early-and late-time average behavior. We verify our simulator by comparing its predictions with simulation results where the fracture and matrix are explicitly modeled. We then show the utility of the approach by simulating multiphase flow in a geologically

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“…Such models, which have been particularly popular in modeling of groundwater flow, do not have many of the shortcomings of the DMs (for comprehensive reviews see, for e.g., Sahimi 1995;Adler and Thovert 1999 for more recent studies see, for e.g., Koudina et al 1998;Granet et al 2001;Pao and Lewis 2002;Karimi-Fard et al 2003;Bogdanov et al 2003a,b). In the DF models the fluid flow equations are the same as those used in the simulation of unfractured porous media.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Calculation of the transmissibilities for a fractured reservoir is described in Sect. 5, which is based on the method developed by Karimi-Fard et al (2003). Sample flow calculations are presented in Sect.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Upscaled Unstructured Computational Grids for Efficient Simulation of Flow in Fractured Porous Media

et al. 2009

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Discrete fracture modeling (DFM) is currently the most promising approach for modeling of naturally fractured reservoirs and simulation of multiphase fluid flow therein. In contrast with the classical double-porosity/double permeability models, in the DFM approach all the interactions and fluid flow in and between the fractures and within the matrix are modeled in a unified manner, using the same computational grid. There is no need for computing the shape factors, which are crucial to the accuracy of the double-porosity models. We have exploited this concept in order to develop a new method for the generation of unstructured computational grids. In the new approach the geological model (GM) of the reservoir is first generated, using square or cubic grid blocks. The GM is then upscaled using a method based on the multiresolution wavelet transformations that we recently developed. The upscaled grid contains a distribution of the square or cubic blocks of various sizes. A map of the blocks' centers is then used with an optimized Delauney triangulation method and the advancingfront technique, in order to generate the final unstructured triangulated grid suitable for use in any general reservoir simulator with any number of fluid phases. The new method also includes an algorithm for generating fractures that, contrary to the previous methods, does not require modifying their paths due to the complexities that may arise in spatial distribution of the grid blocks. It also includes an effective partitioning of the simulation domain that results in large savings in the computation times. The speed-up in the computations with the new upscaled unstructured grid is about three orders of magnitude over that for the initial GM. Simulation of waterflooding indicates that the agreement between the results obtained with the GM and the upscaled unstructured grid is excellent. The method is equally 123 196 M. Sahimi et al. applicable to the simulations of multiphase flow in unfractured, but highly heterogeneous, reservoirs.

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An Efficient Discrete Fracture Model Applicable for General Purpose Reservoir Simulators

Cited by 108 publications

References 15 publications

A model for conductive faults with non-matching grids

A model for conductive faults with non-matching grids

Simulation of multiphase flow in fractured reservoirs using a fracture-only model with transfer functions

Upscaled Unstructured Computational Grids for Efficient Simulation of Flow in Fractured Porous Media

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