SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering
Volume 12, Number 2, April 2009, pp. 232-242

SPE-110720-PA

Estimation of Fracture Porosity of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs With No Matrix Porosity Using Fractal Discrete Fracture Networks

View full textPDF ( 2,591 KB )

DOI  More information 10.2118/110720-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/110720-PA

Citation

  • Kim, T.H. and Schechter, D.S. 2009. Estimation of Fracture Porosity of Naturally Fractured Reservoirs With No Matrix Porosity Using Fractal Discrete Fracture Networks. SPE Res Eval & Eng  12 (2): 232-242. SPE-110720-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 6.7.4 Probabilistic Methods
  • 6.1.5 Geologic Modeling

Summary

Matrix porosity is relatively easy to measure and estimate compared to fracture porosity. On the other hand, fracture porosity is highly heterogeneous and very difficult to measure and estimate. When matrix porosity of naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs) is negligible, it is very important to know fracture porosity to evaluate reservoir performance. Because fracture porosity is highly uncertain, fractal discrete fracture network (FDFN) generation codes were developed to estimate fracture porosity. To reflect scale-dependent characteristics of fracture networks, fractal theories are adopted. FDFN modeling technique enables the systematic use of data obtained from image log and core analysis for estimating fracture porosity. As a result, each fracture has its own fracture aperture distribution, so that generated FDFN are similar to actual fracture systems. The results of this research will contribute to properly evaluating the fracture porosity of NFR where matrix porosity is negligible.

© 2009. Society of Petroleum Engineers

View full textPDF ( 2,591 KB )

History

  • Original manuscript received: 6 August 2007
  • Meeting paper published: 11 November 2007
  • Revised manuscript received: 17 June 2008
  • Manuscript approved: 10 July 2008
  • Published online: 15 April 2009
  • Version of record: 15 April 2009