Fluid flow in a reservoir drained by a multiple fractured horizontal well

TL;DR

This paper introduces a versatile mathematical model for simulating fluid pressure in reservoirs drained by complex, multi-fractured horizontal wells, aiding in productivity estimation and reservoir optimization.

Contribution

It presents a new variational finite element model capable of handling arbitrary fracture networks with variable physical parameters over space and time.

Findings

Flow characteristics depend on fracture network geometry and physical properties.

Model effectively estimates well productivity under various reservoir conditions.

Simulation results guide optimized reservoir development strategies.

Abstract

A mathematical model for computation of the fluid pressure in a reservoir drained by a horizontal multiple fractured well is proposed. The model is applicable for an arbitrary network of fractures with different finite conductivities of each segment, for variable in space and time physical parameters of the reservoir and for different field development plans. The variational formulation of the model allows effective numerical simulation using the finite element method. Case studies demonstrate how the main flow characteristics (well productivity, pressure distribution) depend on the geometrical and physical characteristics of the reservoir and of the fracture network. The presented model is suitable for estimation of the productivity of a multiple fractured well and as an optimization tool for efficient reservoir development.