The nonlinear oil–water two-phase flow behavior for a horizontal well in triple media carbonate reservoir

Carbonate reservoir is one of the important reservoirs in the world. Because of the characteristics of carbonate reservoir, horizontal well has become a key technology for efficiently developing carbonate reservoir. Establishing corresponding mathematical models and analyzing transient pressure behaviors of this type of well-reservoir configuration can provide a better understanding of fluid flow patterns in formation as well as estimations of important parameters. A mathematical model for a oil–water two-phase flow horizontal well in triple media carbonate reservoir by conceptualizing vugs as spherical shapes are presented in this article. A semi-analytical solution is obtained in the Laplace domain using source function theory, Laplace transformation, and superposition principle. Analysis of transient pressure responses indicates that seven characteristic flow periods of horizontal well in triple media carbonate reservoir can be identified. Parametric analysis shows that water saturation of matrix, vug and fracture system, horizontal section length, and horizontal well position can significantly influence the transient pressure responses of horizontal well in triple media carbonate reservoir. The model presented in this article can be applied to obtain important parameters pertinent to reservoir by type curve matching.     

Velocity variations in carbonate rocks due to dual porosity and wave-induced fluid flow

Stiffness variations in carbonates may be described as resulting from different concentrations of flat compliant pores or cracks, which can have a significant effect on the effective stiffness and acoustic properties (e.g., velocities and attenuations) of dry as well as saturated carbonates, although they carry extremely little porosity. As shown in this paper, the effects of dual porosity and wave-induced fluid flow or pore pressure communication may also play a significant role. On the basis of a previously published T-matrix approach to model the effective viscoelastic properties of cracked porous media, we illustrate the (frequency-dependent) effects of wave-induced fluid flow (mainly squirt flow) or pore pressure communication for a model structure consisting of a mixture of fluid-saturated porous grains and fluid-saturated cavities (vugs, etc.) that are embedded in a solid matrix associated with carbonates. We assume that the pores within the porous grains are decoupled from the pores in the solid matrix (and possibly saturated with different fluids) but that each pore system at the micro and/or mesoscale may or may not be connected. For each of four different connectivity models, we present numerical results for four different cases of microstructure (that emphasize the importance of cracks and flat compliant pores). Our numerical results indicate that the velocity and attenuation spectra of carbonates vary significantly, even when the crack density and all other volume concentrations are constant.     

Matrix–fracture transfer shape factor for modeling flow of a compressible fluid in dual-porosity media

The matrix–fracture transfer shape factor is one of the important parameters in the modeling of fluid flow in fractured porous media using a dual-porosity concept. Warren and Root [36] introduced the dual-porosity concept and suggested a relation for the shape factor. There is no general relationship for determining the shape factor for a single-phase flow of slightly compressible fluids. Therefore, different studies reported different values for this parameter, as an input into the flow models. Several investigations have been reported on the shape factor for slightly compressible fluids. However, the case of compressible fluids has not been investigated in the past. The focus of this study is, therefore, to find the shape factor for the single-phase flow of compressible fluids (gases) in fractured porous media. In this study, a model for the determination of the shape factor for compressible fluids is presented; and, the solution of nonlinear gas diffusivity equation is used to derive the shape factor. The integral method and the method of moments are used to solve the nonlinear governing equation by considering the pressure dependency of the viscosity and isothermal compressibility of the fluid. The approximate semi-analytical model for the shape factor presented in this study is verified using single-porosity, fine-grid, numerical simulations. The dependency of the shape factor on the gas specific gravity, pressure and temperature are also investigated. The theoretical analysis presented improves our understanding of fluid flow in fractured porous media. In addition, the developed matrix–fracture transfer shape factor can be used as an input for modeling flow of compressible fluids in dual-porosity systems, such as naturally fractured gas reservoirs, coalbed methane reservoirs and fractured tight gas reservoirs.     

Effect of fracture pressure depletion regimes on the dual-porosity shape factor for flow of compressible fluids in fractured porous media

A precise value of the matrix-fracture transfer shape factor is essential for modeling fluid flow in fractured porous media by a dual-porosity approach. The slightly compressible fluid shape factor has been widely investigated in the literature. In a recent study, we have developed a transfer function for flow of a compressible fluid using a constant fracture pressure boundary condition [Ranjbar E, Hassanzadeh H, Matrix-fracture transfer shape factor for modeling flow of a compressible fluid in dual-porosity media. Adv Water Res 2011;34(5):627-39. doi:10.1016/j.advwatres.2011.02.012]. However, for a compressible fluid, the consequence of a pressure depletion boundary condition on the shape factor has not been investigated in the previous studies. The main purpose of this paper is, therefore, to investigate the effect of the fracture pressure depletion regime on the shape factor for single-phase flow of a compressible fluid. In the current study, a model for evaluation of the shape factor is derived using solutions of a nonlinear diffusivity equation subject to different pressure depletion regimes. A combination of the heat integral method, the method of moments and Duhamel’s theorem is used to solve this nonlinear equation. The developed solution is validated by fine-grid numerical simulations. The presented model can recover the shape factor of slightly compressible fluids reported in the literature. This study demonstrates that in the case of a single-phase flow of compressible fluid, the shape factor is a function of the imposed boundary condition in the fracture and its variability with time. It is shown that such dependence can be described by an exponentially declining fracture pressure with different decline exponents. These findings improve our understanding of fluid flow in fractured porous media.     

基于改进BISQ机制的双相HTI介质波传播伪谱法模拟与特征分析

改进BISQ(Biot-Squirt)机制在不引入特征喷流长度的情况下,将含流体孔隙介质中Biot流动和喷射流动两种重要的力学机制有机地结合起来,且各相关参数具有明确物理意义和可实现性.本文将改进BISQ机制一维孔隙流体压力公式推广到三维具有水平对称轴横向各向同性介质(HTI介质)情况,结合裂缝各向异性理论,给出了基于改进BISQ机制的双相HTI介质模型及其二维三分量波传播方程,采用伪谱法求解该方程,进行了不同相界、不同频率以及双层地质结构情况下该类介质中波场的数值模拟与特征分析.数值模拟结果表明:伪谱法模拟精度高,压制网格频散效果好,可以得到高精度的波场快照和合成记录;基于改进BISQ机制的双相HTI介质模型兼具裂缝各向异性特征和孔隙弹性特征,其为从双相各向异性理论角度深入研究裂缝性储层的地震响应奠定了理论基础.     

砾岩储层地震波传播方程:三重孔隙结构模型

针对砾岩储层的砂、砾、泥三重孔隙结构特征,本文分析砾岩孔隙区域、砂岩孔隙区域以及泥岩孔隙区域相互之间的孔隙流体流动机制,将静态的砾岩骨架本构方程与动态的孔隙流体运动方程联立,提出了复杂砾岩储层的弹性波传播理论方程.采用实测砾岩储层参数,在算例中与双重孔隙介质理论进行对比分析,验证了本文理论方程的合理性;基于三重孔隙介质模型,分析不同储层环境下纵波的传播特征,结果显示:随流体黏滞系数增大,在衰减-频率轴坐标系中,砾与砂、砂与泥孔隙区域间局域流导致的两个衰减峰向低频端移动,而Biot全局流导致的衰减峰向高频端移动;嵌入体尺寸及背景相介质渗透率的变化,主要影响纵波速度频散曲线沿频率轴左、右平移,不影响波速低频、高频极限幅值;嵌入体含量及孔隙度的变化改变了岩石干骨架的弹性、密度参数,不仅影响速度频散曲线沿频率轴平移,而且影响其上、下限幅值;砾包砂包泥三重孔隙介质模型所预测的衰减曲线中,低频段"第一个衰减峰"主要由砾岩孔隙区域与砂岩孔隙区域之间的局域流导致,中间频段"第二个衰减峰"主要由砂岩孔隙区域与泥岩孔隙区域之间的局域流导致,超声频段"第三个衰减峰"由Biot全局流导致.对慢纵波传播特征的分析显示,砂岩骨架(局部孔隙度较大)内部的宏观孔隙流体流动造成的耗散明显强于砾岩与泥岩骨架.     

Unified fractional differential approach for transient interporosity flow in naturally fractured media

A unified approach to modeling flows of slightly compressible fluids through naturally fractured media is presented. The unified fractional differential model is derived by combining the flow at micro scale for matrix blocks and macro scale for fractures, using the transient interporosity flow behavior at the interface between matrix blocks and fractures. The derived model is able to unify existing transient interporosity flow models formulated for different shapes of matrix blocks in any medium dimensions. The model is formulated in the form of a fractional order partial differential equation that involves Caputo derivative of order 1/2 with respect to time. Explicit solutions for the unified model are derived for different axisymmetrical spatial domains using Hankel or Hankel–Weber finite or infinite transforms. Comparisons between the predictions of the unified model and those obtained from existing transient interporosity flow models for matrix blocks in the form of slabs, spheres and cylinders are presented. It is shown that the unified fractional derivative model leads to solutions that are very close to those of transient interporosity flow models for fracture-dominant and transitional fracture-to-matrix dominant flow regimes. An analysis of the results of the unified model reveals that the pressure varies linearly with the logarithm of time for different flow regimes, with half slope for the transitional fracture-to-matrix dominant flow regime vs. the fracture and matrix dominant flow regimes. In addition, a new re-scaling that involves the characteristic length in the form of matrix block volume to surface area ratio is derived for the transient interporosity flow models for matrix blocks of different shapes. It is shown that the re-scaled transient interporosity flow models are governed by two dimensionless parameters Θ and Λ compared to only one dimensionless parameter Θ for the unified model. It is shown that the solutions of the transient interporosity flow models for different shapes of matrix blocks are almost identical for the re-scaled variables. Furthermore, the driving parameters for solution behavior are identified based on asymptotic approximations for different flow regimes. It is found that the matrix diffusion and the matrix area-to-volume ratio affect the solution behavior only for the transitional fracture-to-matrix dominant flow regime, that the capacitance ratio affects the solution behavior only for transitional and matrix dominant flow regimes and that the fracture diffusion is involved in all three flow regimes. Similar identification of the driving parameters is also presented in the re-scaled case.     

裂缝-孔隙介质储层渗透率表征及其影响因素分析

含裂缝多孔介质渗透率预测是非常规油气资源勘探开发的一个紧迫问题.现有多孔介质岩石物理模型通常利用圆形孔管模拟宏观岩石孔隙空间,难以定量描述软孔隙/裂缝在压力作用下的闭合情况,缺乏裂缝/孔隙间流量交换的连通机制.本文提出含三维裂缝/软孔隙网络多孔介质模型,将储层岩石裂缝/软孔隙表示为椭圆截面微管,建立了周期性压力作用下微观裂缝流量表达式,通过网络模型和流量守恒条件,得到含有三维裂缝/软孔隙网络的多孔介质渗透率计算方法.数值算例表明,预测结果与实验数据分布范围吻合很好,能够给出不同类型岩心对应孔隙纵横比的分布图.三维裂缝/软孔隙网络模型建立了宏观可观测量与裂缝参数之间关系,能够定量分析岩石渗透率随裂缝体密度、纵横比、孔隙流体类型和围压等因素的变化规律,为复杂条件下储层渗透率预测提供了一种有效方法.     

基于反演基质矿物模量和多约束条件的双相介质AVO正演方法（英文）

基于双相介质理论的AVO正演技术是储层性质描述和流体预测的有效技术手段之一,但是输入参数中基质矿物模量的准确性和双相介质模型的的合理性极大地影响双相介质AVO正演效果。因此,本文采用基于流体因子的基质矿物模量反演方法,自适应反演基质矿物体积模量。引入具有岩石物理意义的多约束条件,使得流体替换技术制作的双相介质模型具有岩石物理意义。保证获得的双相介质AVO特征反映实际地层响应,真实可靠。通过不同岩性岩样的对比分析,说明反演方法的优越性和准确性。同时LH地区实际资料应用,获得孔隙度和流体饱和度等重要岩性参数变化时双相介质AVO特征,特别是不同储层孔隙度在同一入射角对应快纵波和横波反射系数幅值的大小差异和突变角差异是分辨储层孔隙度大小的依据。     

Numerical modeling of two-phase flow in heterogeneous permeable media with different capillarity pressures

Contrast in capillary pressure of heterogeneous permeable media can have a significant effect on the flow path in two-phase immiscible flow. Very little work has appeared on the subject of capillary heterogeneity despite the fact that in certain cases it may be as important as permeability heterogeneity. The discontinuity in saturation as a result of capillary continuity, and in some cases capillary discontinuity may arise from contrast in capillary pressure functions in heterogeneous permeable media leading to complications in numerical modeling. There are also other challenges for accurate numerical modeling due to distorted unstructured grids because of the grid orientation and numerical dispersion effects. Limited attempts have been made in the literature to assess the accuracy of fluid flow modeling in heterogeneous permeable media with capillarity heterogeneity. The basic mixed finite element (MFE) framework is a superior method for accurate flux calculation in heterogeneous media in comparison to the conventional finite difference and finite volume approaches. However, a deficiency in the MFE from the direct use of fractional flow formulation has been recognized lately in application to flow in permeable media with capillary heterogeneity. In this work, we propose a new consistent formulation in 3D in which the total velocity is expressed in terms of the wetting-phase potential gradient and the capillary potential gradient. In our formulation, the coefficient of the wetting potential gradient is in terms of the total mobility which is smoother than the wetting mobility. We combine the MFE and discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods to solve the pressure equation and the saturation equation, respectively. Our numerical model is verified with 1D analytical solutions in homogeneous and heterogeneous media. We also present 2D examples to demonstrate the significance of capillary heterogeneity in flow, and a 3D example to demonstrate the negligible effect of distorted meshes on the numerical solution in our proposed algorithm.     

Modeling and interpretation of Q logs in carbonate rock using a double porosity model and well logs

Attenuation data extracted from full waveform sonic logs is sensitive to vuggy and matrix porosities in a carbonate aquifer. This is consistent with the synthetic attenuation (1 / Q) as a function of depth at the borehole-sonic source-peak frequency of 10 kHz. We use velocity and densities versus porosity relationships based on core and well log data to determine the matrix, secondary, and effective bulk moduli. The attenuation model requires the bulk modulus of the primary and secondary porosities. We use a double porosity model that allows us to investigate attenuation at the mesoscopic scale. Thus, the secondary and primary porosities in the aquifer should respond with different changes in fluid pressure. The results show a high permeability region with a Q that varies from 25 to 50 and correlates with the stiffer part of the carbonate formation. This pore structure permits water to flow between the interconnected vugs and the matrix. In this region the double porosity model predicts a decrease in the attenuation at lower frequencies that is associated with fluid flowing from the more compliant high-pressure regions (interconnected vug space) to the relatively stiff, low-pressure regions (matrix). The chalky limestone with a low Q of 17 is formed by a muddy porous matrix with soft pores. This low permeability region correlates with the low matrix bulk modulus. A low Q of 18 characterizes the soft sandy carbonate rock above the vuggy carbonate.This paper demonstrates the use of attenuation logs for discriminating between lithology and provides information on the pore structure when integrated with cores and other well logs. In addition, the paper demonstrates the practical application of a new double porosity model to interpret the attenuation at sonic frequencies by achieving a good match between measured and modeled attenuation.     

A practical model for fluid flow in discrete-fracture porous media by using the numerical manifold method

In this study, a numerical manifold method (NMM) model is developed to analyze flow in porous media with discrete fractures in a non-conforming mesh. This new model is based on a two-cover-mesh system with a uniform triangular mathematical mesh and boundary/fracture-divided physical covers, where local independent cover functions are defined. The overlapping parts of the physical covers are elements where the global approximation is defined by the weighted average of the physical cover functions. The mesh is generated by a tree-cutting algorithm. A new model that does not introduce additional degrees of freedom (DOF) for fractures was developed for fluid flow in fractures. The fracture surfaces that belong to different physical covers are used to represent fracture flow in the direction of the fractures. In the direction normal to the fractures, the fracture surfaces are regarded as Dirichlet boundaries to exchange fluxes with the rock matrix. Furthermore, fractures that intersect with Dirichlet or Neumann boundaries are considered. Simulation examples are designed to verify the efficiency of the tree-cutting algorithm, the calculation's independency from the mesh orientation, and accuracy when modeling porous media that contain fractures with multiple intersections and different orientations. The simulation results show good agreement with available analytical solutions. Finally, the model is applied to cases that involve nine intersecting fractures and a complex network of 100 fractures, both of which achieve reasonable results. The new model is very practical for modeling flow in fractured porous media, even for a geometrically complex fracture network with large hydraulic conductivity contrasts between fractures and the matrix.     

基于层状双孔介质的地震波反射和透射系数频散特性研究

本文研究了纵波垂直入射情况下两种介质分界面处的纵波反射和透射系数的频散特性,分界面上下两侧分别为层状双孔页岩介质和层状双孔砂岩介质.当纵波沿垂直于分界面的方向传播至分界面处时,会在上层双孔介质中产生三类反射纵波,在下层双孔介质中产生三类透射纵波.基于层状双孔介质的特性,给出了分界面处的六个边界条件.根据层状双孔介质的波动方程,利用平面波分析得到了纵波的反射和透射系数.结果表明：当多孔介质中存在流体时,纵波的反射和透射系数与频率相关,即存在频散现象.波致流体流动是造成纵波反射和透射系数频散的主要原因.此外,结果还表明局部流体流动引起地震频带内反射和透射系数的频散,宏观Biot流引起超声频带内反射和透射系数的频散.本文同时对岩石参数对反射和透射系数频散曲线的影响进行了研究.     

有效应力变化对致密砂岩孔隙结构及弹性波响应的影响规律

致密砂岩气藏具有裂缝发育和有效应力高的特征,研究不同有效压力下孔、裂隙介质地震波传播特征,有利于地震解释与地下储层的识别.但是前人的研究较少考虑岩石内部微观孔隙结构特征与孔隙、裂隙间流体流动的关系.本文首先通过选取四川盆地典型致密砂岩岩样,在不同有效压力下对岩石样本进行超声波实验测量.然后基于实验测得的纵、横波速度进行裂隙参数反演,得到不同有效压力下致密砂岩样本的裂隙孔隙度.再将裂隙孔隙度和样本岩石物理参数代入双重孔隙介质模型,模拟得到不同有效压力下饱水致密砂岩样本纵横波速度频散和衰减的变化规律.结果表明模型预测的速度频散曲线与纵波速度实验测量结果能够较好的吻合.最后统计分析了致密砂岩裂隙参数,得到了致密砂岩储层裂隙参数随有效压力及孔隙度变化特征.依据实际岩石物理参数建立模型,其裂隙参数三维拟合结果能够较好描述致密砂岩裂隙结构与孔隙度、应力的关联,可为实际地震勘探中预测储层裂缝性质提供基础依据.     

Influence of heterogeneity on unsaturated hydraulic properties (2) – percentage and shape of heterogeneity

In subsurface porous media, the soil water retention curve (WRC) and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity curve (UHC) are two important soil hydraulic property curves. Spatial heterogeneity is ubiquitous in nature, which may significantly affect soil hydraulic property curves. The main theme of this paper is to investigate how spatial heterogeneities, including their arrangements and amounts in soil flumes, affect soil hydraulic property curves. This paper uses a two‐dimensional variably saturated flow and solute transport finite element model to simulate variations of pressure and moisture content in soil flumes under a constant head boundary condition. To investigate the behavior of soil hydraulic property curves owing to variations of heterogeneities and their arrangements as well, cases with different proportions of heterogeneities are carried out. A quantitative evaluation of parameter variations in the van Genuchten model (VG model) resulting from heterogeneity is presented. Results show that the soil hydraulic properties are strongly affected by variations of heterogeneities and their arrangements. If the pressure head remains at a specific value, the soil moisture increases when heterogeneities increase in the soil flumes. On the other hand, the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity decreases when heterogeneities increase in the soil flumes under a constant pressure head. Moreover, results reveal that parameters estimated from both WRC and UHC also are affected by shapes of heterogeneity; this indicates that the parameters obtained from the WRC are not suitable for predicting the UHC of different shapes in heterogeneous media. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A fractal model for the starting pressure gradient for Bingham fluids in porous media embedded with randomly distributed fractal-like tree networks

An analytical expression is derived for the starting pressure gradient for Bingham fluids in porous media embedded with randomly distributed fractal-like tree networks based on fractal theory and technique. The proposed model relates the flow rate and the starting pressure gradient to the structural parameters of porous media and microstructural parameters of fractal-like tree networks, the yield stress and fractal dimensions of porous media and maximum mother diameter of randomly distributed fractal-like tree networks. The results show that the starting pressure gradient decreases with the increase of porosity of matrix material, fractal dimension for mother diameters, diameter ratio and permeability, and the starting pressure gradient increases with the increase of the length ratio and the yield stress. The model predictions from the present model for the starting pressure gradient are in good agreement with the available expression.     

介观尺度孔隙流体流动作用对纵波传播特征的影响研究——以周期性层状孔隙介质为例

介观尺度孔隙流体流动是地震频段岩石表现出较强速度频散与衰减的主要作用.利用周期性层状孔隙介质模型,基于准静态孔弹性理论给出了模型中孔隙压力、孔隙流体相对运动速度以及固体骨架位移等物理量的数学解析表达式,同时利用Biot理论将其扩展至全频段条件下,克服了传统White模型中介质分界面处流体压力不连续的假设. 在此基础上对准静态与全频段下模型介质中孔隙压力、孔隙流体相对运动速度变化形式及其对弹性波传播特征的影响进行了讨论,为更有效理解介观尺度下流体流动耗散和频散机制提供物理依据.研究结果表明,低频条件下快纵波孔压在介质层内近于定值,慢纵波通过流体扩散改变总孔隙压力, 随频率的增加慢波所形成的流体扩散作用逐渐减弱致使介质中总孔压逐渐接近于快纵波孔压,在较高频率下孔压与应力的二次耦合作用使总孔压超过快纵波孔压.介质中孔隙流体相对运动速度与慢纵波形成的流体相对运动速度变化形式一致;随频率的增加孔隙流体逐渐从排水的弛豫状态过渡到非弛豫状态,其纵波速度-含水饱和度变化形式也从符合孔隙流体均匀分布模式过渡到斑块分布模式,同时介质在不同含水饱和度下的衰减峰值与慢纵波所形成的孔隙流体相对流动速度具有明显的相关性.     

用地下流体震前瞬间流动机制解释大地震短临前兆的特征

海城、唐山、松潘等七级大地震前,其短临异常表现出群体性、多样性、突发性,同时性、几起几落及异常群体向震中迁移等特征,简称一大二跳。而油、水井喷涌型异常,又是上述短临异常群体中的一种。对这种异常的机理研究表明,它要经过快速负荷加载、瞬间流动、卸载及渗流滞后三个过程。本文研究了伴随这三个过程可能会发生的地面垂直和水平的形变变化、应力变化、电磁变化等前兆现象。这些异常变化都因受控于震前快速负荷加载效应及瞬间流动效应,因而就能显示出大震前短临异常的上述特征。文章最后还对震前高孔隙压力产生的机理、地下流体瞬间流动的可能模式等问题进行了讨论。     

Establishment and application of logging saturation interpretation equation in vuggy reservoirs

Vuggy reservoirs are the most common, albeit important heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs in China. However, saturation calculations using logging data are not well developed, whereas Archie method is more common. In this study, electrical conduction in a vuggy reservoir is theoretically analyzed to establish a new saturation equation for vuggy reservoirs. We found that vugs have a greater effect on saturation than resistivity, which causes inflection in the rock-electricity curve. Using single-variable experiments, we evaluated the effects of vug size, vug number, and vug distribution on the rock-electricity relation. Based on the general saturation model, a saturation equation for vuggy reservoirs is derived, and the physical significance of the equation parameters is discussed based on the seepage-electricity similarity. The equation parameters depend on the pore structure, and vugs and matrix pore size distribution. Furthermore, a method for calculating the equation parameters is proposed, which uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data to calculate the capillary pressure curve. Field application of the proposed equation and parameter derivation method shows good match between calculated and experimental results, with an average absolute error of 5.8%.