Method for determining the equivalent fracture permeability of a fracture network in a subsurface multi-layered medium
US6023656A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V2210/646
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method for determining the equivalent fracture permeability of a fracture network in a subsurface multi-layered medium from a known representation of this network. The equivalent fracture permeability of a fractured network in a subsurface multi-layered medium, is determined by discretizing with a specific procedure each fracture (F) of the fracture network in fracture elements (R) (such as rectangles for example) and defining nodes N representing interconnected fracture elements in each layer of the medium and determining fluid flows (steady-state flows e.g.) through the discretized network while imposing boundary pressure conditions and fluid transmissivities to each couple of neighboring nodes. The method allows for a systematic linking of fractured reservoir characterization models with dual-porosity simulators in order to create a more realistic modeling of a fractured subsurface geological structure. The method can be implemented for example in oil production by reservoir engineers for obtaining reliable flow predictions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.