Tensor Analysis of the Relative Permeability in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

Abstract

Fluid evidence shows that prediction of water breakthrough and oil recovery from fractured reservoirs cannot be performed accurately without upscaled relative permeability functions. Relative permeability is commonly assumed to be a scalar quantity, although the justification of that—specifically for naturally fractured reservoirs (NFRs)—is rarely attempted. In this study, we investigate the validity of this scalar-quantity assumption and how it affects fracture/matrix equivalent relative permeabilities, kriðSwÞ, achieved by a numerical simulation of unsteady-state waterflooding of discrete-fracture/matrix models (DFMs). Numerical determination of relative permeability requires a realistic m..