Fluid Flow Characterization Framework for Naturally Fractured Reservoirs Using Small-Scale Fully Explicit Models

Flow modelling challenges in fractured reservoirs have led to the development of many simulation methods. It is often unclear which method should be employed. High-resolution discrete fracture and matrix (DFM) studies on small-scale representative models allow us to identify dominant physical processes influencing flow. We propose a workflow that utilizes DFM studies to characterize subsurface flow dynamics. The improved understanding facilitates the selection of an appropriate method for large-scale simulations. Validation of the workflow was performed via application on a gas reservoir represented using an embedded discrete fracture model, followed by the comparison of results obtained from hybrid and dual-porosity representations against fully explicit simulations. The comparisons ascertain that the high-resolution small-scale DFM studies lead to a more accurate upscaled model for full field simulations. Additionally, we find that hybrid implicit–explicit representations of fractures generally outperform pure continuum-based models.