Predicting fluid flow in fractured reservoirs by application of lacunarity analysis of natural fracture analogues

IF 1.9 4区地球科学 Q3 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Petroleum Geoscience Pub Date : 2024-03-11 DOI:10.1144/petgeo2023-091

Ajay K. Sahu, Ankur Roy

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Researchers have used lacunarity, a parameter that quantifies scale-dependent clustering in patterns to distinguish fracture networks that belong to the same fractal system. Also, in a previous study, the authors showed that lacunarity is efficient in representing the connectivity and fluid flow in synthetic fractal-fracture models having a single fractal dimension. The objective of this research is to investigate if the concepts thus developed is applicable to outcrop analogues which are representative of sub-surface fractured reservoirs. A set of nested fracture networks belonging to a single fractal system but mapped at different scales and resolutions is considered in this study. Lacunarity and connectivity values of these maps are evaluated using geospatial data analysis techniques. Fracture continuum (FC) models are built from these fracture maps and a streamline simulator, TRACE3D is used to flow simulate these maps. Results show that, although, the fractal dimension of these maps is same, but there exist stubble differences in the values of lacunarity, percolation connectivity, and also the fluid recovery values. It is further noted that the clustering, connectivity, and fluid recovery values can be pairwise correlated very well for these natural fracture maps. Thus, the overall results indicate that connectivity in fracture maps and hence in turn their flow properties are controlled by lacunarity or scale-dependent clustering attributes. Therefore, there could be novel applicability of lacunarity parameter in calibrating discrete fracture network (DFN) models with respect to connectivity of natural fracture maps and prediction of flow behavior in fractured reservoirs. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Digitally enabled geoscience workflows: unlocking the power of our data collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/digitally-enabled-geoscience-workflows

查看原文本刊更多论文

应用天然裂缝类似物的裂隙度分析预测裂缝储层中的流体流动

研究人员利用 "裂隙度"（lacunarity）这一参数来区分属于同一分形系统的断裂网络。此外，在之前的一项研究中，作者还表明，在具有单一分形维度的合成分形-断裂模型中，裂隙度可以有效地表示连通性和流体流动。本研究的目的是调查由此开发的概念是否适用于代表地下裂缝储层的露头模拟。本研究考虑了一组属于单一分形系统但以不同尺度和分辨率绘制的嵌套断裂网络。利用地理空间数据分析技术对这些地图的裂隙度和连通性值进行了评估。根据这些断裂图建立了断裂连续体（FC）模型，并使用流线模拟器 TRACE3D 对这些断裂图进行流动模拟。结果表明，虽然这些地图的分形维度相同，但在裂隙度值、渗流连通性和流体回收率值方面存在差异。此外，这些天然断裂图的聚类、连通性和流体恢复值可以很好地成对相关。因此，总体结果表明，断裂图中的连通性及其流动特性受裂隙或规模相关聚类属性的控制。因此，在校准离散断裂网络（DFN）模型时，裂隙度参数在天然断裂图的连通性和预测断裂储层的流动行为方面具有新的应用价值。专题文集：本文是 "数字化地球科学工作流程：释放我们数据收集的力量 "的一部分，可从以下网址获取： https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/digitally-enabled-geoscience-workflows

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来源期刊

Petroleum Geoscience 地学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

11.80%

发文量

审稿时长

>12 weeks

期刊介绍： Petroleum Geoscience is the international journal of geoenergy and applied earth science, and is co-owned by the Geological Society of London and the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). Petroleum Geoscience transcends disciplinary boundaries and publishes a balanced mix of articles covering exploration, exploitation, appraisal, development and enhancement of sub-surface hydrocarbon resources and carbon repositories. The integration of disciplines in an applied context, whether for fluid production, carbon storage or related geoenergy applications, is a particular strength of the journal. Articles on enhancing exploration efficiency, lowering technological and environmental risk, and improving hydrocarbon recovery communicate the latest developments in sub-surface geoscience to a wide readership. Petroleum Geoscience provides a multidisciplinary forum for those engaged in the science and technology of the rock-related sub-surface disciplines. The journal reaches some 8000 individual subscribers, and a further 1100 institutional subscriptions provide global access to readers including geologists, geophysicists, petroleum and reservoir engineers, petrophysicists and geochemists in both academia and industry. The journal aims to share knowledge of reservoir geoscience and to reflect the international nature of its development.