SPE 59045
Fractured Reservoirs: an Integrated Approach
Grard J. MASSONNAT, SPE and Marie-Odile BOCKEL-REBELLE, Elf Exploration Production
Copyright 2000, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2000 SPE International Petroleum
Conference and Exhibition held in Villa Hermosa, Mexico, 1-3 February 2000.
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Abstract
The understanding of the flow network organization, and
the ability to predict in 3D the distribution of fracture drains
are hey points to enhancing well productivity, hydrocarbon
recovery and therefore field productivity.
Recent advances in fractured reservoir characterization and
modeling have led to construct and very sophisticated
software able to model local 3D fractured networks and run
one phase flow simulations on explicit fracture models.
The problem is how to take advantage of these advances and
build more realistic 3D full field models to run multiple phase
flow simulations.
This paper proposes and integrated approach assigning
reservoir of flow properties using results from pluriscale and
multi-disciplinary steps.
Its application on a case study largely contributed to a better
understanding of flow behavior within reservoir.
Introduction
For years, fractured reservoirs have been modeled using
dual porosity equations from Warren and Boot1. In such
models fractured reservoirs are represented by two different
media:
the flow network, which represents that part of the
fractured network which is connected and highly
permeable;
the matrix, which represents both the porous media and
unconnected or less permeable parts of the fracture
network.
Equivalent parameters for these two media are usually
obtained from interpretations of dynamic information (mud
loss, well tests results, production or injection logging, etc.)
while extrapolation is usually guided by geological concepts,
seismic data and production history analysis.
Assuming the extrapolation of the fracture network is
possible what confidence can be had in a local prediction
obtained with a structural model? the greatest difficulty in
such an approach is to relate the proposed evolution of the
fracture network with the evolution of the flow network
properties. It is known that these relations are non linear, and
therefore extrapolations based on them are highly uncertain.
Recent advances in fracture network modeling and flow
simulation have opened doors to new methodologies for
building 3D fractured models in the oil industry.
Explicit fracture models can now be built, incorporating
most of the knowledge provided by structural geology,
geomechanics and statistics. These generic models are usually
built around wells, constrained by cores, imaging log and
seismic data.
However, generating fracture networks covering areas of
several square kilometers is still a highly uncertain process
and one-phase flow simulations can be used for reducing
uncertainty.
If well test data are available for that area, they are used to
calibrate the organization and properties of the fracture
network. Properties initially input in the model are slightly
transformed until the flow simulations results honor the well
test data while preserving geological consistency. The
effective properties are then derived for use in the dual
porosity model. This provides very useful information for
quantifying relationships between fractures networks and flow
networks, and significantly helps to extrapolate dual porosity
parameters outside of the sampled area.
This paper presents a methodology which can be applied
to obtain such relations between fracture and flow networks
and, through a case study, how the calibration is conduced to
extrapolate effective properties to the 3D full field model.
Characterization of flow network around wells
In a fractured reservoir, the evaluation of flow network
characteristics is very important as it can affects in the early
appraisal stage as well as in mature field development stage.
Assessing these characteristics is usually a difficult task.
In the eighties2, geologists tried to solve the problem by
2 GRARD MASSONNAT and MARIE ODILE BOCKEL-REBELLE
building explicative fracture models. These models, which
attempt to produce more realistic fracture systems, were first
based essentially on statistics resulting from outcrop or core
studies.
Recently, a new approach was presented3 for building
models of tension fractures using a genetic process which
aims to reproduce the initiation, growth and interaction of
fractures. By comparing the resulting fracture models with
the total outcrop fracture system, it is now possible to evaluate
the success of the extrapolation. However, many parameters
still remain uncertain and dynamic data are expected to
provide a powerful constraint against which fracture systems
can be tested.
Usually, input of geological and dynamic data into
fractured reservoir models is always consistent. Several
approaches for incorporating flow information have been
presented, but comparing actual well test data and numerical
simulations of flow towards the well from the 3D fracture
network/ matrix system4 looks like best way to discriminate
between the alternative geological models.
Modeling of the fracture network
The model building procedure consists of:
1. Input and viewing of seismic data and/ or interpreted
seismic surfaces and interpreted well structure data.
2. Construction of near well (or interwell) structure
models by extrapolating well structures including
sedimentary discontinuities and faults into the 3D
volume surrounding the wells. The extrapolated
surfaces can easily be processed using an interactive
mechanisms until the required geometry is obtained.
Sedimentary input might be required to complete these
models.
3. Generation of large numbers of smaller scale
fractures within the near well structure calibrated to
the well data and constrained as far as possible by
outcrop observations, geomechanical modeling and
structural analysis.
A genetic fracture modeling method has been proposed3
using mechanical rules designed to reproduce the basic
aspects of the fracture growth process. Tension fractures
propagate in all directions perpendicular to the maximum
effective tensile stress5. The development of tension fractures
releases the tensile stress in the rock. The stress release is
greatest close to the sides of the fracture, usually leading to a
decrease of the energy available for fracture growth. It creates
a forbidden zone within which other fractures cannot
propagate.
With increasing stress, the number of simultaneously
propagating fractures increases.
Defects are represented by seeds which appear in the
model. Once seeds appear, the system causes them to grow by
a user-defined distance, termed a step. Various models of step
SPE 59045
values are included in the software. Fractures consist of a
body and forbidden zone. The width of the forbidden zone can
be either constant or variable.
Seed probability grids are computed, to handle the
probability that a seed appearing in the cell will survive and
become a fracture. Using grids filled with various parameters,
geologists can set constraints concerning fracture distribution,
intensity and orientation, which may have been derived from
the reservoir data (wells and seismic), geochemical models or
analogous outcrop observations.
Fracture interaction is controlled by the Impedance Factor,
which determines the ability of a fracture to impede the
propagation of later fractures across it.
Fracture Interaction can be set as an input parameter:
Number of fractures stopped
Impedance Factor =
Total number of fractures
as well as the variations in fracture patterns in the different
lithologies.
Many graphs showing conventional attributes of the
fracture sets can be displayed in real time during fracture
growth. All these statistics histograms of length, spacing,
cumulative length, etc. can be used to calibrate the fracture
models against measured or assumed statistical distributions.
Fractures growing in a reservoir model can also be
conditioned to cross the well at the position of real fractures
observed in the well. This is done by increasing the
probability of a seeds appearing in the plane of the observed
fracture by entering a user-defined value.
Well test conditioning
For most naturally fractured reservoirs, several equally
probable geological models can also be developed. Moreover,
the flow characteristics of the fractures themselves
(permeability, porosity, compressibility, etc.) are better
determined from sensitivity studies on well test data than
from geological observations of well fracture aperture,
mineralisation, reactivation, roughness and other fracture
characteristics liable to influence fluid flow.
This is why both geometric and dynamic conditioning should
be used together to sort out and finally select the appropriate
scenarios.
Transient pressure responses in well tests appear to be a
powerful way of achieving this objective6. They can be
simulated for different fracture configurations chosen to
represent geological end member scenarios which can have
an impact on field behavior.
The model simulated pressure data are compared against
real data and a fit is obtained either by changing the geometry
of the fracture model, within the constraints of the geological
data, or by changing the flow properties of the fractures. By a
process of iteration, the geological and flow data can be
reconciled to produce one or more plausible models which
can then be used to guide the extrapolation in the full-field
reservoir model. With the calibrated fracture model inferred
SPE 59045 FRACTURE MODELLING ETC.
from the proposed discrete fracture modeling approach,
important flow properties of the fracture network can be
derived and these are then used as input parameters in the
reservoir simulations.
Applications
The method used is described below through a case study
on a field that have been producing for several years.
Structural setting
The structure is an elongated anticline, located in the
folded foreland which is part of a very recent mountain range
(essentially Miocene to Recent). Furthermore, the fold
deformation related to this recent compression followed the
development of inherited faults trending North-South and sub
East-West. These faults play a part in the current structural
scheme, in which they delimit domains of more or less
intense folding (fig.1)
At smaller scale, the anticline was affected by two older
directions which mark the shape of the fold as well as the
various fluid contacts which have been observed: the field
comprises structural compartments (fig.2).
Sedimentological setting
The depositional environments of the various Cretaceous
units correspond to channels trending perpendicularly to the
paleocoastline. The channels range between 2 and 300 meters
large on average, for several kilometers in length. They are
separated by very fine carbonate beds.
Fracturing:
Fracture data reveal several different origins and scales for
the fractures.
Core analyses on cores from 5 wells (4 vertical wells and 1
slanted well) located in the different structural compartments
of the fields. The analysis was calibrated with imaging logs. It
revealed the following points about the field:
Evident fracturing in three different directions. The main
direction is parallel to the anticline axis. This set of
fractures is probably related to folding.
Two secondary directions, N0 and N80 were observed
around the N-S and E-W faults, respectively. It is quite
likely that both these sets of joints started forming either
immediately before or the major fold.
the fracture set defined here is usually confined to the
most carbonate-rich facies. The aperture is often small (in
the main direction) and partially filled with calcite.
Stratiform stylolites are quite frequent. Microfractures
(less than 5 cm in length) are often associated with the
stylolites: they are usually open and filled with insoluble
residue at their ends.
Well tests from 2 wells were interpreted. One well was located
at the top of the structure and the other in the vicinity of a N-
S fault. The dual porosity behavior (fig.3) is obvious
(permeability obtained with the test is much higher than the
3
permeability measured on the plug) An effective permeability
(matrix + fractures) is obtained in a pseudo permanent regime
multiplied by the height (KH test), as well as values of and
, respectively.
The seismic data analysis helped us define a possible relation
between fracturing and fold geometry.
Modeling
The different analyses are then rendered consistent in
order to generate a realistic 3D fracture model. The method
consists in reproducing the fracture network, in as much
detail as possible, in a volume around the well (fig. 4). The
volume should be approximately equivalent to the
investigation volume of the well test.
The software used3 allows to integrate all types of data
concerning fracturing , from the seismic interpretation to core
data. The various stratigraphic surfaces and the major faults
were input in the software using a deterministic method: a
combination of markers resulting from the seismic
interpretation and indicators defined at the wells.
The zone selected for the fracture modeling is located in the
vicinity of a N-S fault at the top of the anticline. The
following parameters were selected as a function of the
analytical data:
fractures parallel to the fold axis are presented over the
entire structure. Their growth was essentially confined to
within the layer.
N-S fractures are associated with the nearby fault.
E-W fractures are not present in this area (too far from
faults with the same trend).
Moreover, the uncertainty on other parameters such as
persistence of fractures associated with the neighboring fault,
or interaction between two fracture sets led us to propose
several equiprobable fracture scenarios (fig. 5).
Phenomenological simulation for determining dual
porosity
For each of the two geological models constructed on this
basis, well test simulations were conducted using the finite
element code previously described6. The first permeability
values were assigned to the matrix (Kplug) and to different
fault sets (estimated values). The code used simulates flow in
fractures as well as fluid exchanges between the matrix and
the fractures.
The dynamic fracture properties and geometry are
adjusted, as far as the geological constraining permits, to fit
pressure data.
The results of these simulations make it possible to
determine a fracture scheme which is consistent with dynamic
data. Equivalent properties (fracture permeability, block size,
etc.) were computed in the following step.
The selected fracture model provided a better fit between
dynamic and geological data (fig. 5). It also favored generally
intra-bed fracturing, with predominance of the fracture set
related to the fault (N-S).
4 GRARD MASSONNAT and MARIE ODILE BOCKEL-REBELLE
Extrapolation of these parameters to the entire field
This delicate step is essential for understanding the
dynamics of the entire field. It is unavoidable for locating
production or injection wells, as well as for choosing the right
strategy for secondary recovery.
Extrapolation can be carried out using a geological model
and phenomenological model constrained by flow data, as
described above, and by taking into account geological
concepts and the behavior of the different wells.
In this case study, a geological concept can be defined as
one of the three points below:
understanding of the regional tectonic setting: the field is
located in a region considered to be a folded foreland
(fig. 1) in which folding shows the following specific
characteristics: highly elongated (several tens of
kilometers long) narrow (several kilometers) asymmetrical
anticlines, generally affected by reverse faulting on their
outer limbs. The presence of major oblique directions with
respect to the axis of the mountain range can be explained
by inherited structures. These major boundaries delimit
individual structural sectors which reacted differently to
the recent compressional deformation.
understanding of field compartmentalization: which both
horizontal (no connectivity between the various reservoirs)
and vertical (fluid contacts are very different on either side
of the inherited N-S and sub-E-W faults). This
compartmentalization suggests that the faults have good
seal efficiency and the barriers are not fractured.
understanding of the fracture network: the fit described
earlier of the phenomenological fracture model to the
dynamic data allow us to explain the possible interaction
between the various fracture sets, as well as their
distribution. N-S and sub E-W fractures are located only
in the vicinity of faults in the same direction. Fractures
parallel to the fold axis exhibit a distribution which is
related to fold geometry. Moreover, very few fractures
apparently run across the entire reservoir series. We can
therefore propose general interpretation of the fracture
network for the entire field.
The behavior of the various wells in this field (PI,
production history, etc.) agrees with the general interpretation
of the fracture network.
Conclusions
Recent advances in the understanding of the growth of
tension fractures has made it possible to propose a system for
modeling fractures in a reservoir. This method of fracture
generation, fracture growth and fracture control has given the
system a great deal of flexibility and made it possible to
produce realistic tension fracture patterns.
SPE 59045
Uncertainty on multi-scenario fracture networks can be
reduced by constraining the models to single phase flows in
the well-test investigation radius. Both the geometry of the
system and the flow characteristics of the fractures can be
adjusted to fit actual data.
Extrapolation is model driven; it results in an integrated
approach in which geological concepts and field dynamics are
reconciled.
This approach must be performed using multiscale
analyses in order to provide consistency to the extrapolation.
On a case study, both the observations of field
compartmentalization by faults and open fractures in the
same direction as sealed faults provided a good illustration of
the dual behavior of the fracture system:
the fault itself acts as a barrier
the related damaged zone plays a significant role as a
drain.
This dual behavior should be reproduced around seismic -
illustrated faults in the 3D full-field model in order to propose
a realistic permeability field for multi-phase flow simulations.
References
Warren, J.E., and Root, P.J: The Behavior of Naturally Fractured
Reservoirs, Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal
(September 1963) pp 245-255
Long, J.C.S.: A Model for Steady State Flow in Random Three-
Dimensional Networks of Disc-Shaped Fractures, Water
Resources Research (1985) 21 pp 1105 - 1115
Swaby, P.A. and Rawnsley K.D. :An interactive 3D Fracture-
Modeling Environment, SPE Computer Applications, June
1996
Miller I., Lee G., Dershowitz W. and Sharp G. :MAFIC -
Matrix/Fracture Interaction Code with Solute Transport - User
Documentation, Golder Associates Inc. Redmond, Washington
(1994).
Pollard, D.D. and Aydin, A.L.: Progress in understanding jointing
over the past century, Bulletin Geological Society of America
(1988) 100, pp. 1181-1204
Wei L., Hadwin J., Chaput E., Rawnsley K.D., Swaby P.A.:
Discriminating Fracture Patterns in Fractured Reservoirs by
Pressure Transient Tests, SPE 49233, 1998
SPE 59045 FRACTURE MODELLING ETC. 5

0 100 km

Main thrusts
Studied
area reverse faults, minor thrust

strike slip faults

Main structural boundaries

FOLDING ZONATIONS

?
folds having very high wavelength (15 20 Km)
folds having high wavelength (10 15 Km)
folds having medium wavelength (5 10 Km)
folds having small wavelength (2 5 Km)

folded foreland

trends derived from the gravimetric interpretation

trends derived from the magnetic interpretation

Fig.1 Regional structural environment of the studied field

Map at top reservoir

North

+ +

+ LEGEND

Probableinheritedaccidents

Locationofthewell

Well with welltestdata

Fig.2 Compartmentalisation of the field according to the inherited accidents

6 GRARD MASSONNAT and MARIE ODILE BOCKEL-REBELLE SPE 59045

1983/02/02-0614 : OIL

ENDWBS
DP + DERIVATIVE (PSI/STB/D)
10 -1

PD=1/2
10 -2
10 -3

10 -3 10 -2 10 -1 10 0 10 1
DT (HR)

Fig.3 Well test data and interpretation

Fig.4 3D view of the field and location of the fracture model

SPE 59045 FRACTURE MODELLING ETC. 7

Fig.5 Selected fracture model