Analytical Solutions for Non-Darcy Transient Flow with the Threshold Pressure Gradient in Multiple-Porosity Media

Abstract

Low-velocity non-Darcy flow can be described by using the threshold pressure gradient (TPG) in low-permeability porous media. The existence of the TPG yields a moving boundary so that fluid starts to flow inside this boundary when the pressure gradient overcomes the viscous forces, and beyond this boundary, there will be no flow. A mathematical model of considering the TPG is developed to describe the flow mechanism in multiple-porosity media. By defining new dimensionless variables, the nonlinear mathematical model can be solved analytically. This new approach has been validated with several approximate formulas and numerical tools. The diffusion of the moving boundary varying with time is analyzed in detail in multiple-porosity media, and then the effect of the moving boundary on pressure transient response is investigated and compared with that of the traditional three boundary types (closed boundary, infinite-pressure boundary, and constant-pressure boundary). Sensitivity analysis is conducted to study the effect of the TPG on pressure and pressure derivative curves and rate decline curves for single-porosity media, dual-porosity media, and triple-porosity media, respectively. The results show that the moving boundary exerts a significant influence on reservoir performance at a relatively early time, unlike the other three boundary types, and only a boundary-dominated effect at the late time. The larger the threshold pressure gradient, the smaller the diffusion distance of the moving boundary and the rate of this well at a given dimensionless time. At the same time, the pressure transient response exhibits a higher upward trend because of a larger TPG. All behavior response might be explained by more pressure drop consumed in low-permeability reservoirs. The finding is helpful to understand the performance of low-permeability multiple-porosity media and guide the reasonable development of low-permeability reservoirs.