Practical Application of Fractal Pressure-Transient Analysis in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

Abstract

Summary Pressure-transient tests in naturally fractured reservoirs often exhibit nonuniform responses. Various models explain such nonuniformity; however, their relevance is often not justified on a geologic basis. Fractal geometry provides a method to account for a great variety of such transients under the assumption that the network of fractures is fractal. This paper presents an application to real well tests in various fractured reservoirs. The physical meaning of the fractal parameters is presented in the context of well testing. Examples showing a behavior similar to the finite-conductivity fracture model or to spherical flow are presented and explained by the alternative of fractal networks. A behavior that can be mistakenly interpreted as a double-porosity case is also analyzed.