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Geometric Modelling of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs Using Aerial Image Processing and Two-Phase Flow Simulation

Heshmati, Ali | 2024

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  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 56964 (08)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Mechanical Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Taghizadeh Manzari, Mehrdad
  7. Abstract:
  8. It has been demonstrated that the key features of fracture networks can be identified with the help of high-resolution aerial images of outcrops (rock formations exposed at the Earth's surface) obtained by drones and photogrammetry. The aim of this study is to utilize these images to improve the geometrical modeling of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs (NFRs). Initially, an algorithm is developed for processing aerial images of outcrops, so that the pattern of fracture network can be obtained. After obtaining the fracture network, the Embedded Discrete Fracture Model (EDFM) implemented in the MATLAB Reservoir Simulation Toolbox (MRST) is employed to study two-phase (oil-water) flows in the reservoir. The impact of fractures on oil production rate is investigated and it is shown that the presence of fractures can lead to a reduction in water saturation in the reservoir and oil production rate. Subsequently, the effect of image processing variables, especially the importance of aerial image quality on the constructed fracture system is examined. Furthermore, the impact of flow simulation variables such as fracture aperture, matrix permeability and porosity, oil viscosity, and well placement on simulation results is presented. It is observed that an increase in fracture aperture (in the range of 0.15 to 0.21 millimeters), although leading to an increase in the permeability of fractures (from 1875 to 3675 Darcy), has a small effect (less than 0.7 percent) on the oil production and flow rate. On the contrary, an increase in matrix permeability from 1 to 20 milli-Darcy leads to an increase in oil production up to 5500 barrels for the cases studied here. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the location of wells should be chosen such that the line connecting the production and injection wells is preferably close to perpendicular to the fractures. This issue is of great importance because optimal well placement can partially compensate for the adverse effects of fractures, increasing the final reservoir water saturation from 75.4 percent to 77.4 percent at the end of a simulation conducted in this work
  9. Keywords:
  10. Naturally Fractured Reservoir ; Image Processing ; Two Phase Flow ; Aerial Imaging ; Outcrop Images ; Embedded Discrete Fracture Model (EDFM)

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