Field-wide flow simulation in fractured porous media within lattice Boltzmann framework

•A generalized lattice Boltzmann model is applied to the fractured reservoir system.•New boundary conditions are developed to simulate near well and fracture region.•New dimensionless groups are derived from governing flow equations.•Simulations results for homogenous and heterogenous well and fracture are validated.•Results are compared against commercial reservoir simulation software.

In this paper, a generalized lattice Boltzmann model for simulating fluid flow in porous media at the representative volume element scale is extended towards applications of hydraulically and naturally fractured reservoirs. The key element within the model is the development of boundary conditions for a vertical well and horizontal fracture with minimal node usage. In addition, the governing non-dimensional equations are derived and a new set of dimensionless numbers are presented for the simulation of a fractured reservoir system. Homogenous and heterogeneous vertical well and fracture systems are simulated and verified against commercial reservoir simulation suites. Results are in excellent agreement to analytical and finite difference solutions.