Annual Report
March 7, 1997 to February 28, 1998
Fractured Reservoir Discrete Feature
Network Technologies
A Project of
Fundamental Geoscience
Research and Development
BDM-Oklahoma
U.S. Department of Energy
National Oil and Related Programs
Contract Number
#G4S51728
Prepared by:
William S. Dershowitz
Paul LaPointe
Thorsten Eiben
Golder Associates Inc.
Redmond, WA
Herbert H. Einstein
Violeta Ivanova
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
March 20, 1998
963-1357.521
anrpt98.doc
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION
1.1 Reasons for Performing Project
1.2 Project Objectives
1.3 Project Execution2.1 Discoveries and Innovations
2.2 Implications and Applicability
2.3 Project Demonstration
2.4 Measurement of Project Performance3.1 Task 1.1: Collection of Fractured Reservoir Site Characterization Data
3.2 Task 1.2: 3D Hierarchical Fracture Model
3.3 Task 1.3: Reservoir Compartmentalization
3.4 Task 2.1: Fracture Data Analysis Technology
3.5 Task 3.1: Linkage to Reservoir Models
3.6 Task 3.2: Integrated Fractured Reservoir Discrete Fracture Model
3.7 Task 4.1: Reservoir Performance Data Collection
3.8 Task 4.2: Simulation of Fractured Reservoir Production
3.9 Task 4.3: Technology Evaluation
3.10 Task 5.1: Electronic Technology Distribution
3.11 Task 5.2: Presentations
3.12 Task 5.3: Workshop4.1 EVIDENCE OF APPLICATION
4.2 Publications and Presentations5. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER WORK
5.1 DFN Model Development
5.2 Data Analysis Tools Development
5.3 EOR Technologies Designed Using DFN Approach
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3-1 MS Windows 95 Analysis System
Table 4-1 Oil Companies Accessing Project Web Site 02/28/97- 03/17/98
Table 4-2 Universities and Research Labs Accessing Project Web Site, 02/28/97- 03/17/98
Table 4-3 Project Publications
Table 4-4 Project Public Presentations
Table 4-6 Project Web Site Usage Statistics Generated by WebTrends
This report summarizes progress on the project, "Fractured Reservoir Discrete Feature Network Technologies" during the period March 6, 1997 through February 28, 1998. The report presents summaries of technology development for four active research areas: (1) research related to development of the hierarchical fracture model, (2) development and implementation of the Windows 95 data analysis system, (3) linkage of discrete fracture network (DFN) and conventional reservoir simulator approaches, and (4) demonstration of application of DFN approaches to improve oil recovery in the project study site, Yates Texas using Thermally Assisted Gravity Segregation (TAGS).
The hierarchical fracture model (HFM) is a new discrete feature network model designed to provide a more realistic representation of reservoir geology. The model uses a cell-based approach to describe fracture properties, and to support rotations, translations, and correlations between geological structures. The model was verified by application at the project study site.
Discrete feature data analysis procedures were developed to increase the amount of value which can be extracted from existing well test, geological, and geophysical data. DFN analysis technologies were developed for set definition and orientation distributions, spatial patterns, and well test data.
Linkages were developed between the DFN approach and conventional cell-based stratigraphy models and flow simulators. These linkages were demonstrated through application at the project study sites.
The TAGS process is an innovative approach to steam-flooding which utilizes discrete fracture networks to provide simultaneous pathways for steam flow and oil production. The project is carrying out analysis of pathways based on tracer tests. Reservoir production is simulated directly within the DFN simulator, and is also simulated using conventional dual porosity approaches with parameters derived from DFN models.
The project includes aggressive technology transfer, with 12 papers published or submitted for publication, 11 presentations to conferences and workshops. and over 12,000 hits to the project web site.
