Numerical Investigation for Three-Dimensional Multiscale Fracture Networks Based on a Coupled Hybrid Model

Xulin Du, Linsong Cheng, Jun Chen, Jianchao Cai, Langyu Niu and Renyi Cao
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Xulin Du: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Linsong Cheng: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Jun Chen: Petroleum Engineering School, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Jianchao Cai: State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Langyu Niu: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Renyi Cao: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: The mismatching between the multi-scale feature of complex fracture networks (CFNs) in unconventional reservoirs and their current numerical approaches is a conspicuous problem to be solved. In this paper, the CFNs are divided into hydraulic macro-fractures, induced fractures, and natural micro-fractures according to their mode of origin. A hybrid model coupling various numerical approaches is proposed to match the three-dimensional multi-scale fracture networks. The macro-fractures with high-conductivity and wide-aperture are explicitly characterized by a mimetic Green element method-based hierarchical fracture model. The induced fractures and natural micro-fractures that have features of low-conductivity and small-openings are upscaled to the dual-medium grid and enhanced matrix grid through the equivalent continuum-medium method, respectively. Subsequently, some benchmark cases are implemented to confirm the high-precision and high-robustness of the proposed hybrid model that indeed accomplishes accurate modeling of fluid flow in multi-scale CFNs by comparing with commercial software tNavigator ® . Furthermore, an integrated workflow of simulation modeling for multiscale CFNs combined with a field example in Sichuan from China is used to analyzing the production information of fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs. Compared with the field production data from this typical well, it can be proved that the hybrid model has strong reliability and practicability.

Keywords: multiscale fractures; three-dimensional fracture visualization; mimetic Green element method; reservoir simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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