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Understanding the Dynamic Impact of Fault Models Using Fault Properties and Simple Streamline Simulations
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, Fifth International Conference on Fault and Top Seals, Sep 2019, Volume 2019, p.1 - 5
Abstract
Fault zones in porous sandstones can commonly be divided into two parts: a fault core and a damage zone. Both fault zone elements will influence sub-surface fluid flow and must be treated separately to create a geologically realistic model. The fault core can be implemented in the model as a transmissibility multiplier (TM) while the damage zone can be implemented by modifying the grid permeability in the cells adjacent to the model faults. Each of the input parameters used in calculating the TM and damage zone permeability modification is subject to geological uncertainty. We test the impact of varying input parameters through two methods: i) calculating flow indicator fault properties from the static model, and ii) employing a simplified flow-based connectivity calculation, returning dynamic measures of model connectivity. Our results indicate that fluid flow indicator fault properties are weakly correlated with measures of dynamic behaviour. In particular, models with low fault transmissibility show a much greater range of dynamic behaviour, and are less predictable, than models with high fault transmissibility. We ascribe this to the greater complexity of flow paths expected when a highly compartmentalized model contains faults that are likely to be baffles or barriers to cross-fault flow.