Effect of anisotropic fault permeability alteration on pressure transient behavior

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Abstract

Compartmentalized reservoirs are often segmented by a sealing fault acting as a barrier to pressure communication between neighboring reservoirs. However, changes in reservoir pressure, due to either fluid withdrawal or injection, can induce changes in local stresses that can lead to fault slip and associated alteration of fault permeability, which can transform the initially sealing fault into partially conductive. This paper examines the transient pressure response to a sudden change in anisotropic fault permeability as an indicator of fault seal breakdown. Analytical solutions for pressure-transient response for a line-source, constant-rate well in a compartmentalized reservoir where fault permeability is rapidly enhanced, are presented. The fault is modeled as a linear interface between semi-infinite homogeneous and isotropic formation layers. Laplace-Fourier transform technique is used to solve the governing equations analytically. Pressure-transient solutions are presented as type curves for the scenarios of across-fault and simultaneous across-along-fault permeability enhancement. Characterization of enhanced fault transmissibility using asymptotic late-time solutions is discussed.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Proceedings - SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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