A multiple-continuum model for simulating single-phase and multiphase flow in naturally fractured vuggy reservoirs

The existence of vugs or cavities in naturally fractured reservoirs has long been observed. Even though these vugs are known for their large attribution to reserves of oil, natural gas, or groundwater, few quantitative investigations of fractured vuggy reservoirs have been conducted. In this paper, a multiple-continuum conceptual model is presented, based on geological data and observations of core samples from carbonate formations in China, to investigate single-phase and multiphase flow behavior in such vuggy fractured reservoirs. The conceptual model has been implemented into a three-dimensional, three-phase reservoir simulator with a generalized multiple-continuum modeling approach. The conceptual model considers fractured vuggy rock as a triple- or multiple-continuum medium, consisting of (1) highly permeable and well-connected fractures, (2) low-permeability rock matrix, and (3) various-sized vugs. The matrix system may contain a large number of small or isolated cavities, whereas vugs are larger cavities, indirectly connected to fractures through small fractures, microfractures or matrix. Similar to the conventional double-porosity model, the fracture continuum is primarily responsible for the occurrence of global flow, while vuggy and matrix continua, providing storage space, are locally connected to each other and interacting with globally connecting fractures. In addition, flow in fractured vuggy reservoirs may be further complicated by occurrence of non-Darcy's and other nonlinear flow behavior, because of large pore space and high-permeability flow channels. To account for such complicated flow regime, our model formulation includes non-Darcy flow using the multiphase extension of the Forchheimer equation as well as flow according to parallel-wall fracture and tube models, based on solutions of flow through a parallel-wall, uniform fracture and Hagen–Poiseuille tube flow.

► A multi-continuum model is developed for flow in fractured vuggy reservoirs.
► The conceptual model is implemented for fractured vuggy reservoir simulation.
► Applications are given for model verification and analysis.