Advancements and Perspectives in Embedded Discrete Fracture Models (EDFM)

Renato Espirito Basso Poli (), Marcos Vitor Barbosa Machado () and Kamy Sepehrnoori ()
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Renato Espirito Basso Poli: Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Marcos Vitor Barbosa Machado: Petrobras, Rio de Janeiro 20231-030, RJ, Brazil
Kamy Sepehrnoori: Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-18

Abstract: The Embedded Discrete Fracture Model (EDFM) has emerged as a prominent piece of technology used for embedding the hydraulic behavior of rock joints in reservoir numerical models. This paper critically reviews its fundamentals, the latest developments, and opportunities for further research. The literature is extensive regarding novel algorithms attempting to reach more accurate and computationally effective estimates. While hydraulic fracture models seem suitable for their purposes, their assumptions might be excessively simplistic and unrealistic when assessing naturally fractured reservoirs. The paper begins by examining fractures as physical characteristics and the key mechanisms to be considered when integrating them into numerical flow simulators. The use of the EDFM technique shows promise for simulating capillary continuity and buoyancy effects in multiphase and multicomponent cases. However, there are significant limitations that hinder its widespread field-scale adoption for reservoir performance evaluation. In this regard, the lack of public-domain realistic benchmarks to validate and compare the potential of each method reinforces the difficulties of performing broader applications of the EDFM techniques in large-scale models.

Keywords: EDFM; naturally fractured reservoirs; embedded fractures; discrete fracture models; reservoir flow simulation; numerical methods (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: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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