1887
Volume 60, Issue 5
  • E-ISSN: 1365-2478

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Since natural fractures in petroleum reservoirs play an important role in determining fluid flow during production, knowledge of the orientation and density of fractures is required to optimize production. This paper outlines the underlying theory and implementation of a fast and efficient algorithm for upscaling a Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) to predict the fluid flow, elastic and seismic properties of fractured rocks. Potential applications for this approach are numerous and include the prediction of fluid flow, elastic and seismic properties for fractured reservoirs, model‐based inversion of seismic Amplitude Versus Offset and Azimuth (AVOA) data and the optimal placement and orientation of infill wells to maximize production. Given that a single fracture network may comprise hundreds of thousands of individual fractures, the sheer size of typical DFNs has tended to limit their practical applications. This paper demonstrates that with efficient algorithms, the utility of Discrete Fracture Networks can be extended far beyond mere visualization.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2011.01030.x
2011-12-23
2024-04-25
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. BenvenisteY.1987. A new approach to the application of Mori‐Tanaka's theory in composite materials. Mechanics of Materials6, 147–157.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. den BoerL.D. and SayersC.M.2011. Determining elastic and fluid flow properties of a fractured reservoir. U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2011/0087472 A1, Apr.14, 2011.
  3. CarmichaelR.S.1989. Practical handbook of physical properties of rocks and minerals . CRC Press. ISBN 0849337038.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. ChiaramonteL.2008. Geomechanical characterization and reservoir simulation of a CO2 sequestration project in a mature oil field, Teapot Dome WY . Ph.D. Thesis, Stanford University .
  5. HettemaM.H.H., SchutjensP.M.T.M., VerboomB.J.M. and GussinkloH.J.2000. Production‐induced compaction of sandstone reservoirs: The strong influence of field stress. SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering3, 342–347.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. KachanovM.1980. Continuum model of medium with cracks. Journal of the Engineering Mechanics Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers106, no. EMS5, 1039–1051.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. LambH.1932. Hydrodynamics . 6th ed., Cambridge University Press. ISBN 1152966103.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. LubbeR., SothcottJ., WorthingtonM.H. and McCannC.2008. Laboratory estimates of normal and shear fracture compliance. Geophysical Prospecting56, 239–248.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. LynnH.B., BatesC.R., LaymanM. and JonesM.1995. Natural fracture characterization using P‐wave reflection seismic data, VSP, borehole imaging logs and in‐situ stress field determination. SPE29595.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. MavkoG., MukerjiT. and DvorkinJ.1998. The rock physics handbook . Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521620686.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. MillikenM.D. and KoepsellR.2002. Imaging Technology offers enhanced interpretation of Teapot Dome reservoirs. Wyoming Geological Association Guidebook, 2002 Field Conference , 41–62.
  12. MoriT. and TanakaK.1973. Average stress in matrix and average elastic energy of materials with misfitting inclusions. Acta Metallurgica21, 571.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. SalzL.B.1977. Relationship between fracture propagation pressure and pore pressure. SPE6870.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. SayersC.M.2002. Fluid‐dependent shear‐wave splitting in fractured media. Geophysical Prospecting50, 393–401.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. SayersC.M.2006. Sensitivity of time‐lapse seismic to reservoir stress path. Geophysical Prospecting54, 369–380.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. SayersC.M.2010. Geophysics under stress: Geomechanical applications of seismic and borehole acoustic waves. SEG Distinguished Instructor Series No. 13. ISBN 978‐1‐56080‐210‐5.
  17. SayersC.M. and KachanovM.1991. A simple technique for finding effective elastic constants of cracked solids for arbitrary crack orientation statistics. International Journal of Solids and Structures12, 81–97.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. SayersC.M. and KachanovM.1995. Microcrack‐induced elastic wave anisotropy of brittle rocks. Journal of Geophysical Research100, 4149–4156.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. SayersC.M. and SchutjensP.M.T.M.2007. An introduction to reservoir geomechanics. The Leading Edge26, 5, 597–601.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. SchoenbergM.2002. Time‐dependent anisotropy induced by pore pressure variation in fractured rock. Journal of Seismic Exploration11, 83–105.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. SchoenbergM. and SayersC.M.1995. Seismic anisotropy of fractured rock. Geophysics60, 204–211.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. SmithV.L.2008. Modeling natural fracture networks: Establishing the groundwork for flow simulation at Teapot Dome, Wyoming . M.S. Thesis, West Virginia University .
  23. SmithT.M., SayersC.M. and SondergeldC.H.2009. Rock properties in low‐porosity/low permeability sandstones. The Leading Edg28, 1, 48–59.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. SutherlandI.E. and HodgmanG.W.1974. Reentrant Polygon Clipping. Communications of the ACM17, 1, 32–42.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. TandonG.P. and WengG.J.1984. The effect of aspect ratio of inclusions on the elastic properties of unidirectionally aligned composites. Polymer Composites5, 327–333.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. WhiteJ.E.1983. Underground sound: Application of seismic waves . Elsevier. ISBN 0444421394.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. WorthingtonM.H.2007. The compliance of macrofractures. The Leading Edge26, 1118–1122.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. WorthingtonM.H.2008. Interpreting seismic anisotropy in fractured reservoirs. First Break26, 57–63.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. ZhangY., SayersC.M. and AdachiJ.I.2009. The use of effective medium theories for seismic wave propagation and fluid flow in fractured reservoirs under applied stress. Geophysical Journal International177, 205–221.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. ZhaoY.H., TandonG.P. and WengG.J.1989. Elastic moduli for a class of porous materials. Acta Mechanica76, 105–130.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2011.01030.x
Loading
/content/journals/10.1111/j.1365-2478.2011.01030.x
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error