Determining the robustness of discrete fracture network permeability estimates
AssigneeBaker Hughes, A Ge Company, LLC
InventorTobias Hoeink
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Examples of techniques for determining robustness of a discrete fracture network (DFN) permeability estimate are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a method may include: receiving a DFN of an earth formation of interest, the DFN comprising a plurality of connected fractures; determining a directional equivalent permeability of the plurality of connected fractures of the DFN using a numerical upscaling method; and determining the robustness of the directional equivalent permeability.
Claims14
A method for determining robustness of a discrete fracture network (DFN) permeability estimate, the method comprising:
- collecting a core sample of an earth formation of interest;
- generating the DFN of the earth formation of interest from the core sample;
- receiving a DFN of the earth formation of interest, the DFN comprising a plurality of connected fractures;
- determining, by a processing device, a directional equivalent permeability of the plurality of connected fractures of the DFN using a numerical upscaling method by capturing a series of slices taken incrementally about a center point of the DFN;
- determining, by the processing device, the robustness of the directional equivalent permeability;
- and
- performing an action relating to the earth formation of interest using the directional equivalent permeability, the action comprising aligning a tool in a direction determined by the directional equivalent permeability.
A method for determining robustness of a discrete fracture network (DFN) permeability estimate, the method comprising:
- receiving a DFN of an earth formation of interest, the DFN comprising a plurality of connected fractures;
- determining, by a processing device, a directional equivalent permeability of the plurality of connected fractures of the DFN using a numerical upscaling method;
- determining, by the processing device, the robustness of the directional equivalent permeability;
- and
- performing an action relating to the earth formation of interest using the directional equivalent permeability, the action comprising aligning a tool in a direction determined by the directional equivalent permeability,
- wherein the directional equivalent permeability is a first directional equivalent permeability, and wherein determining the robustness of the first directional equivalent permeability comprises comparing the directional equivalent permeability to a second directional equivalent permeability, and
- wherein comparing further comprises comparing smoothness between the first directional equivalent permeability and the second directional equivalent permeability.
A system for determining robustness of a discrete fracture network (DFN) permeability estimate, the system comprising:
- a memory having computer readable instructions;
- and
- a processing device for executing the computer readable instructions, the computer readable instructions comprising:
- receiving a DFN of an earth formation of interest, the DFN comprising a plurality of connected fractures;
- determining a first directional equivalent permeability of the plurality of connected fractures of the DFN using a numerical upscaling method by capturing a first series of slices taken incrementally about a center point of the DFN;
- determining a second directional equivalent permeability of the plurality of connected fractures of the DFN using Oda's method by capturing a second series of slices taken incrementally about a center point of the DFN, wherein the DFN is cropped to fit the second series of slices;
- determining a robustness of the first directional equivalent permeability by comparing the first directional equivalent permeability to the second directional equivalent permeability;
- and
- performing an action relating to the earth formation of interest using the first directional equivalent permeability, wherein the performing the action comprises aligning a drill in a direction determined by the first directional equivalent permeability.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.