Numerical study of fractured reservoirs: Hydromechanical analysis of the permeability tensor

A. Cardona, T. Finkbeiner, J. C. Santamarina

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Fractures in the rock mass localize flow and deformations. Consequently, they play a critical role in the hydromechanical evolution of the reservoir. Continuum models are preferred over discontinuous approaches to simulate fractured rock masses as they fully capture the set of governing equations at the element level and coupled processes are easier to implement. This study builds on the implicit joint-continuum model to advance the understanding of flow through stress-sensitive fractured rock masses. The proposed formulation assumes persistent, quasi-planar, and regularly spaced fracture sets and the model can simulate several different sets. Benchmarking examples illustrate the capabilities of the model and highlight the importance of a fracture transmissivity asymptotic state for the evolution of the rock mass permeability. The stress-induced anisotropy is limited as fracture transmissivity reaches a constant value with both normal stress and shear displacement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 11 2020
Event4th Naturally Fractured Reservoir Workshop 2020 - Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Feb 11 2020Feb 13 2020

Conference

Conference4th Naturally Fractured Reservoir Workshop 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityRas Al Khaimah
Period02/11/2002/13/20

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Support for this research was provided by the KAUST Endowment at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Saudi ARAMCO provided additional support. G. E. Abelskamp edited the manuscript.

Publisher Copyright:
© 4th Naturally Fractured Reservoir Workshop 2020.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics

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