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Nonlinear flow numerical simulation of low-permeability reservoir

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Abstract

A nonlinear flow reservoir mathematical model was established based on the flow characteristic of low-permeability reservoir. The well-grid equations were deduced and the dimensionless permeability coefficient was introduced to describe the permeability variation of nonlinear flow. The nonlinear flow numerical simulation program was compiled based on black-oil model. A quarter of five-spot well unit was simulated to study the effect of nonlinear flow on the exploitation of low-permeability reservoir. The comprehensive comparison and analysis of the simulation results of Darcy flow, quasi-linear flow and nonlinear flow were provided. The dimensionless permeability coefficient distribution was gained to describe the nonlinear flow degree. The result shows that compared with the results of Darcy flow, when considering nonlinear flow, the oil production is low, and production decline is rapid. The fluid flow in reservoir consumes more driving energy, which reduces the water flooding efficiency. Darcy flow model overstates the reservoir flow capability, and quasi-linear flow model overstates the reservoir flow resistance. The flow ability of the formation near the well and artificial fracture is strong while the flow ability of the formation far away from the main streamline is weak. The nonlinear flow area is much larger than that of quasi-linear flow during the fluid flow in low-permeability reservoir. The water propelling speed of nonlinear flow is greatly slower than that of Darcy flow in the vertical direction of artificial fracture, and the nonlinear flow should be taken into account in the well pattern arrangement of low-permeability reservoir.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development-Langfang, Langfang, 065007, China

    Rong-ze Yu  (于荣泽) & Ya-nan Bian  (卞亚南)

  2. Special Oil Development Company of Liaohe Oilfield Company, Panjin, 124010, China

    Shu Zhou  (周舒)

  3. Down-hole Service Company of Xinjiang Oilfield Company, Kelamayi, 834000, China

    Kai-jun Wang  (王楷军)

  4. Geological Scientific Research Institute of Shengli Oilfield Company, Dongying, 257015, China

    Qi Lü  (吕琦)

  5. CNOOC Energy Technology & Service-Oilfield Engineering Research Institute, Tianjin, 300452, China

    Zhao-hui Chen  (陈朝辉)

Authors
  1. Rong-ze Yu  (于荣泽)
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  2. Ya-nan Bian  (卞亚南)
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  3. Shu Zhou  (周舒)
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  4. Kai-jun Wang  (王楷军)
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  5. Qi Lü  (吕琦)
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  6. Zhao-hui Chen  (陈朝辉)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rong-ze Yu  (于荣泽).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(10672187) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Project(2008ZX05000-013-02) supported by the National Science and Technology Major Program of China

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Yu, Rz., Bian, Yn., Zhou, S. et al. Nonlinear flow numerical simulation of low-permeability reservoir. J. Cent. South Univ. 19, 1980–1987 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1235-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1235-7

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