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An Efficient Numerical Model for Immiscible Two-Phase Flow in Fractured Karst Reservoirs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 June 2015

Zhao-Qin Huang ,
Jun Yao  and
Yue-Ying Wang
Zhao-Qin Huang
Affiliation:
School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266555, Shandong, China
Jun Yao*
Affiliation:
School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266555, Shandong, China
Yue-Ying Wang
Affiliation:
School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266555, Shandong, China
*
Corresponding author.Email:rcogfr_upc@126.com
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Abstract

Numerical simulation of two-phase flow in fractured karst reservoirs is still a challenging issue. The triple-porosity model is the major approach up to now. However, the triple-continuum assumption in this model is unacceptable for many cases. In the present work, an efficient numerical model has been developed for immiscible two-phase flow in fractured karst reservoirs based on the idea of equivalent continuum representation. First, based on the discrete fracture-vug model and homogenization theory, the effective absolute permeability tensors for each grid blocks are calculated. And then an analytical procedure to obtain a pseudo relative permeability curves for a grid block containing fractures and cavities has been successfully implemented. Next, a full-tensor simulator has been designed based on a hybrid numerical method (combining mixed finite element method and finite volume method). A simple fracture system has been used to demonstrate the validity of our method. At last, we have used the fracture and cavity statistics data from TAHE outcrops in west China, effective permeability values and other parameters from our code, and an equivalent continuum simulator to calculate the water flooding profiles for more realistic systems.

Keywords

35B2735Q3076S05Fractured karst reservoirseffective permeability tensordiscrete fracture-vug network modeltwo-phase flowfull-tensor simulator
Type
Research Article
Information
Communications in Computational Physics , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , February 2013 , pp. 540 - 558
Copyright
Copyright © Global Science Press Limited 2013

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