Explicit Fracture Network Modelling - From Multiple Point Statistics to Dynamic Simulation

This paper addresses the problem of an explicit fractured media modelling on an operational case. On one side, realistic fracture models are mainly used for research purposes in order to better investigate the flow behaviour impacted by the complex multi-scale fracture network. Often, a very fine grid and a consequent computational time are needed. On the other side, an operational fractured reservoir is still generally modelled using an implicit fracture media representation. The upscaled petrophysical properties and dual media are defined in a coarse grid trying to limit the computational time of dynamic simulation. The challenge of this work is to demonstrate that an explicit fracture modelling is not reserved only for the research domain but can be applied to an operational case study. The static model is constructed using a Multiple Point Statistics (MPS) approach in order to represent complex patterns of fractures and faults interconnection while managing uncertainty on fractures location. A dynamic behaviour is simulated based on this realistic fracture reservoir representation. To stay parsimonious with regard to computational time, we use a volume displacement technique which allows keeping a simple medium assumption and optimal grid refinement.