An Analytical Solution for Slug-Tracer Tests in FracturedReservoirs

An Analytical Solution for Slug-Tracer Tests in FracturedReservoirs PDF Author:
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Languages : en
Pages :

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The transport of chemicals or heat in fractured reservoirs is strongly affected by the fracture-matrix interfacial area. In a vapor-dominated geothermal reservoir, this area can be estimated by inert gas tracer tests, where gas diffusion between the fracture and matrix causes the tracer breakthrough curve (BTC) to have a long tail determined by the interfacial area. For water-saturated conditions, recent studies suggest that sorbing solute tracers can also generate strong tails in BTCs that may allow a determination of the fracture-matrix interfacial area. To theoretically explore such a useful phenomenon, this paper develops an analytical solution for BTCs in slug-tracer tests in a water-saturated fractured reservoir. The solution shows that increased sorption should have the same effect on BTCs as an increase of the diffusion coefficient. The solution is useful for understanding transport mechanisms, verifying numerical codes, and for identifying appropriate chemicals as tracers for the characterization of fractured reservoirs.

An Analytical Solution for Slug-Tracer Tests in FracturedReservoirs

An Analytical Solution for Slug-Tracer Tests in FracturedReservoirs PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The transport of chemicals or heat in fractured reservoirs is strongly affected by the fracture-matrix interfacial area. In a vapor-dominated geothermal reservoir, this area can be estimated by inert gas tracer tests, where gas diffusion between the fracture and matrix causes the tracer breakthrough curve (BTC) to have a long tail determined by the interfacial area. For water-saturated conditions, recent studies suggest that sorbing solute tracers can also generate strong tails in BTCs that may allow a determination of the fracture-matrix interfacial area. To theoretically explore such a useful phenomenon, this paper develops an analytical solution for BTCs in slug-tracer tests in a water-saturated fractured reservoir. The solution shows that increased sorption should have the same effect on BTCs as an increase of the diffusion coefficient. The solution is useful for understanding transport mechanisms, verifying numerical codes, and for identifying appropriate chemicals as tracers for the characterization of fractured reservoirs.

Tracer Testing for Estimating Heat Transfer Area in Fractured Reservoirs

Tracer Testing for Estimating Heat Transfer Area in Fractured Reservoirs PDF Author:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 8

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Book Description
A key parameter governing the performance and life-time of a Hot Fractured Rock (HFR) reservoir is the effective heat transfer area between the fracture network and the matrix rock. We report on numerical modeling studies into the feasibility of using tracer tests for estimating heat transfer area. More specifically, we discuss simulation results of a new HFR characterization method which uses surface-sorbing tracers for which the adsorbed tracer mass is proportional to the fracture surface area per unit volume. Sorption in the rock matrix is treated with the conventional formulation in which tracer adsorption is volume-based. A slug of solute tracer migrating along a fracture is subject to diffusion across the fracture walls into the adjacent rock matrix. Such diffusion removes some of the tracer from the fluid in the fractures, reducing and retarding the peak in the breakthrough curve (BTC) of the tracer. After the slug has passed the concentration gradient reverses, causing back-diffusion from the rock matrix into the fracture, and giving rise to a long tail in the BTC of the solute. These effects become stronger for larger fracture-matrix interface area, potentially providing a means for estimating this area. Previous field tests and modeling studies have demonstrated characteristic tailing in BTCs for volatile tracers in vapor-dominated reservoirs. Simulated BTCs for solute tracers in single-phase liquid systems show much weaker tails, as would be expected because diffusivities are much smaller in the aqueous than in the gas phase, by a factor of order 1000. A much stronger signal of fracture-matrix interaction can be obtained when sorbing tracers are used. We have performed simulation studies of surface-sorbing tracers by implementing a model in which the adsorbed tracer mass is assumed proportional to the fracture-matrix surface area per unit volume. The results show that sorbing tracers generate stronger tails in BTCs, corresponding to an effective enhancement of diffusion. Tailing in BTCs for sorbing tracers may provide adequate sensitivity for quantifying the fracture-matrix interface area. We discuss requirements for tracer sorption and present considerations for designing a tracer test that would determine fracture-matrix interface area.

Interpretation, Analysis and Design of Inter-well Tracer Tests in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

Interpretation, Analysis and Design of Inter-well Tracer Tests in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs PDF Author: Aymen Abduljalil Alramadhan
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 311

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Book Description
In order to understand the complex fracture network that controls water movement in Sherrod Area of Spraberry Field in West Texas and to better manage the on-going waterflood performance, a field scale inter-well tracer test was implemented. This test presents the largest inter-well tracer test in naturally fractured reservoirs reported in the industry and includes the injection of 13 different tracers and sampling of 110 producers in an area covering 6533 acres. Sherrod tracer test generated a total of 598 tracer responses from 51 out of the 110 sampled producers. Tracer responses showed a wide range of velocities from 14 ft/day to ultra-high velocities exceeding 10,000 ft/day with same-day tracer breakthrough. Re-injection of produced water has caused the tracers to be re-injected and added an additional challenge to diagnose and distinguish tracer responses affected by water recycling. Historical performance of the field showed simultaneous water breakthrough of a large number of wells covering entire Sherrod area. This research investigate analytical, numerical, and inversion modeling approaches in order to categorize, history match, and connect tracer responses with water-cut responses with the objective to construct multiple fracture realizations based entirely on water-cut and tracers' profiles. In addition, the research highlight best practices in the design of inter-well tracer tests in naturally fractured reservoirs through lessons learned from Sherrod Area. The large number of tracer responses from Sherrod case presents a case of naturally fractured reservoir characterization entirely based on dynamic data. Results indicates that tracer responses could be categorized based on statistical analysis of tracer recoveries of all pairs of injectors and producers with each category showing distinguishing behavior in tracers' movement and breakthrough time. In addition, it showed that tracer and water-cut responses in the field are dominantly controlled by the fracture system revealing minimum information about the matrix system. Numerical simulation studies showed limitation in dual porosity formulation/solvers to model tracer velocities exceeding 2200 ft/day. Inversion modeling using Gradzone Analysis showed that east and north-west of Sherrod have significantly lower pore volume compared to south-west. The electronic version of this dissertation is accessible from http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/151192

Design and Analysis of Tracer Tests to Determine Effective Porosity and Dispersivity in Fractured Sedimentary Rocks, Newark Basin, New Jersey

Design and Analysis of Tracer Tests to Determine Effective Porosity and Dispersivity in Fractured Sedimentary Rocks, Newark Basin, New Jersey PDF Author: Glen B. Carleton
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Aquifers
Languages : en
Pages : 96

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Flow and Contaminant Transport in Fractured Rock

Flow and Contaminant Transport in Fractured Rock PDF Author: Jacob Bear
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080916473
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 575

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Book Description
In the past two or three decades, fractured rock domains have received increasing attention not only in reservoir engineering and hydrology, but also in connection with geological isolation of radioactive waste. Locations in both the saturated and unsaturated zones have been under consideration because such repositories are sources of heat and potential sources of groundwater contamination. Thus, in addition to the transport of mass of fluid phases in single and multiphase flow, the issues of heat transport and mass transport of components have to be addressed.

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309049962
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 568

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Book Description
Scientific understanding of fluid flow in rock fracturesâ€"a process underlying contemporary earth science problems from the search for petroleum to the controversy over nuclear waste storageâ€"has grown significantly in the past 20 years. This volume presents a comprehensive report on the state of the field, with an interdisciplinary viewpoint, case studies of fracture sites, illustrations, conclusions, and research recommendations. The book addresses these questions: How can fractures that are significant hydraulic conductors be identified, located, and characterized? How do flow and transport occur in fracture systems? How can changes in fracture systems be predicted and controlled? Among other topics, the committee provides a geomechanical understanding of fracture formation, reviews methods for detecting subsurface fractures, and looks at the use of hydraulic and tracer tests to investigate fluid flow. The volume examines the state of conceptual and mathematical modeling, and it provides a useful framework for understanding the complexity of fracture changes that occur during fluid pumping and other engineering practices. With a practical and multidisciplinary outlook, this volume will be welcomed by geologists, petroleum geologists, geoengineers, geophysicists, hydrologists, researchers, educators and students in these fields, and public officials involved in geological projects.

Characterization of Retention Processes and Their Effect on the Analysis of Tracer Tests in Fractured Reservoirs

Characterization of Retention Processes and Their Effect on the Analysis of Tracer Tests in Fractured Reservoirs PDF Author: Gardner William Walkup (jr)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Slug Test Data Analysis in Reservoirs with Double Porosity Behaviour

Slug Test Data Analysis in Reservoirs with Double Porosity Behaviour PDF Author:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Pressure analysis for a slug test which corresponds to the flow period of a Drill Stem test is extended to wells in reservoirs with double-porosity behaviour. Solutions are obtained for either pseudo-steady state or transient interporosity flow. The distinctive specific features of both solutions are identified. Results presented are applicable to both naturally-fractured and layered reservoirs with the more permeable layer connecting to the wellbore. Type curves based on the pseudo-steady or transient interporosity flow are presented. These type curves are similar to the existing homogenous single layer type curve with addition of interporosity flow lines indicating double-porosity behaviour.

Selected Water Resources Abstracts

Selected Water Resources Abstracts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Hydrology
Languages : en
Pages : 1296

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Workshop Report

Workshop Report PDF Author:
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ISBN:
Category : Geothermal engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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