Does the symmetry of absolute permeability influence relative permeability tensors in naturally fractured rocks?

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Authors

External Organisational units

  • School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland
  • University of Melbourne

Abstract

Relative permeability is a tensorial property directly dependent on absolute permeability tensor which has been taking both symmetric and non-symmetric (full tensor) forms in the literature. Imposing symmetricity during upscaling absolute and effective phase permeabilities could alter both diagonal and off-diagonal terms of relative permeability tensors, specifically in naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs) where the diagonal components of the permeability tensor could take values with different orders of magnitude. Utilizing a discrete fracture and matrix (DFM) modelling approach, in this paper, we quantify the effects of forcing the symmetricity on absolute permeability tensors on relative permeability tensors of fractured samples in different scales. We also determine the circumstances at which this change in methodology causes a huge difference in the diagonal components of relative permeability tensors.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)455-466
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology
Volume10.2020
Issue number2
Early online date22 Aug 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2020