# A Study of a Flow Model in Dual Permeability Reservoir Based on Similar Structure Theory

Authors: Tianhong Zhou; Jie Shen; Man Wang; Yun Wu
Journal: Advances in Civil Engineering
 (2022)

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## Abstract

The aim of the study is to further understand the rule of conversion of bottom hole pressure of a vertical well in a dual-permeability reservoir, which is about the dual permeability under different outer boundary (infinite, close, and constant value) conditions. However, there are few articles dealing with the model of a vertical well in a dual permeability reservoir under these three different outer boundary conditions. Hence, the paper proposes a model of a vertical well in a dual permeability reservoir under three outer boundary conditions. The model is solved with a Laplace space equation. We find the solution to the model that has a similar structure under three different outer boundary conditions by combining it with the similar structure theory. Therefore, we put forward a similar constructing method (SCM) that solves our model. The concrete steps of the SCM are given in this paper. At the same time, we draw the curves of the bottom hole pressure and pressure derivative using the modified Stehfest inversion formula and MATLAB software. In addition, we investigate the evolution of the pressure by changing the parameters (mobility ratioK, storability ratioω, and crossflow coefficientλ). The solution to such a reservoir model obtained in this paper could be used as a basis for analyzing other typical reservoirs with vertical wells.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The dual media is one of the largest storage formations in the world, and it is mainly composed of fracture and matrix media. Fluid flow in dual media can be treated in two kinds of models. One is the dual-porosity media model (Figure1(a)), and the other one is the dual permeability media model (Figure 1(b)). In dual-porosity media, the fluid is stored in the matrix and flows into a wellbore through fractures, with a cross-flow from the fractures to the matrix, while in the dual permeability media model, the fluid flows into the wellbore not only from the fracture media but also from the matrix media, with a cross-flow between these two systems. Hence, the dual permeability is much more complicated than the dual-porosity media model. If we let the permeability of the dual permeability media model be equal to zero, then the dual permeability media model becomes the dual-porosity media model. Thus, the dual-porosity media model can be considered as a special case for the dual permeability media model.Figure 1
The sketch of the dual media. (a) Dual-porosity media; (b) dual permeability.
(a)(b)The study on dual permeability is mainly based on dual porosity and dual permeability. As regards the dual porosity model for horizontal wells, in 1988, Rosa and Carvalho [1] calculated the dynamic downhole pressure of horizontal wells in dual-porosity media by using the Stehfest Laplace transformation of the horizontal wells, which are widely used in the development of oil and gas reservoirs [2–8] with the progress in drilling and completion technologies. In 1994, a solution to the transient fluid flow of horizontal wells in a fractured dual porosity reservoir in Laplace space was obtained by Liu and Wang [9]. In 2012, Guo et al. studied the dual permeability flow behavior for modeling horizontal well production in fractured vuggy carbonate reservoirs [10].In regards to the dual permeability model, in 1985, the solution to the vertical model under the outer boundary infinite was first obtained through the Laplace transformation by Bourder [11]. In 1995, Liu and Wang [9] obtained the solution of the transient flow of slightly compressible fluid in the 2-D space, which provided a theoretical basis for related well test analyses. In 2006, the transient pressure in the dual permeability media of a shear-sensitive reservoir was studied by Tian and Tong [12]. In 2006, Hi and Tong [13] analyzed the effect of wellbore storage on bottom hole pressure in deformable dual permeability media by setting a mathematical model. In 2008, Liu [14] analyzed all kinds of reservoirs through the model curves under infinite boundary conditions in his literature. In 2010, Kong [15] obtained the solution of the vertical well in the dual permeability reservoir of signal and double layers by using Laplace and Weber’s transformation and drew out the well test curve.However, all the above studies are mainly based on the infinite outer boundary conditions, ignoring the close and constant outer boundary conditions. In 2004, the solution of a similar structure to the differential equation as a boundary value problem was put forward [16]. The influence of joints on the permeability and mechanical properties of rocks has been studied in some literature [17–19]. There were a lot of studies [20–26] about the vertical dual permeability reservoir under three different outer boundary conditions (infinite, close, and constant value). However, the studies in the references just stay at the math level, which cannot meet the demand of the well test analysis. Therefore, on the basis of the previous study, we set a model of a vertical well in the dual permeability reservoir under three outer boundary conditions (infinite, close, constant value) and solved the model in Laplace space. We found that the solution to the model has a similar structure under three different outer boundary conditions by combining with the similar structure theory. Hence, we put forward the SCM, and the concrete steps of the SCM are given in this paper. At the same time, we drew the curves of the bottom hole pressure and pressure derivative by using the modified Stehfest inversion formula and MATLAB software. We observed and analyzed the change law of the curves by changing the mobility ratioK, storativity ratioω, and cross-flow coefficientλ. The solution to such a reservoir model obtained in this paper includes and improves the previous results and may then be used as a basis for analyzing other typical reservoirs with vertical wells.


## 2. Dimensionless Mathematics Model

The well is regarded as a point source in the paper, and supposing the outer boundary is a circular boundary. Therefore, according to [15], we can obtain the dimensionless mathematics model of the dual permeability reservoir as follows:The seepage differential equation is as follows:(1)K1rD∂∂rDrD∂P1D∂rD+λP2D−P1D=ω∂P1D∂tD,1<rD<RD,tD>0,1−KrD∂P2D∂r−λP2D−P1D=1−ω∂P2D∂tD,1<rD<RD,tD>0,where P is the reservoir pressure, MPa; t is the time, h; r represents any point in the reservoir at the radial distance of the well, m;R is the outer boundary radius, m;k is the permeability, μm2;ω is storability ratio, dimensionless; λis the cross-flow coefficient, dimensionless.Initial condition is as follows:(2)P1DrD,0=P2DrD,0=0.Inner boundary condition is as follows:(3)PwDtD=P1D−S1rD∂P1D∂rDrD=1=P2D−S2rD∂P2D∂rDrD=1,KrD∂P1D∂rD+1−K∂P2D∂rDrD=1=−1−CD∂P2D∂tD,where pwis the bottom hole pressure, MPa;Sis the skin effect, dimensionless; Cis the well storage, m3/MPa.Outer boundary condition is as follows:(4)P1D∞,tD=P2D∞,tD=0,orP1DRD,tD=P1DRD,tD=0,or∂P1D∂rDrD=RD=∂P2D∂rDrD=RD=0,where(5)PjD=11.842×10−3Bqk1h1μ1+k2h2μ2p0−pjr,tj=1,2,tD=3.6k1h1/μ1+k2h2/μ2tϕ1Ct1h1+ϕ2Ct2h2rw2,rD=rrw,CD=0.1592Cϕ1Ct1h1+ϕ2Ct2h2rw2,λ=αrw2k2h2/μ2k1h1/μ1+k2h2/μ2,ω=ϕ1Ct1h1ϕ1Ct1h1+ϕ2Ct2h2,K=k1h1/μ1k1h1/μ1+k2h2/μ2,h is the storage thickness, m; μis the viscosity, mPa⋅s; rwis the wellbore radius, m;Bis the oil volume coefficient, dimensionless; ϕis the porosity, dimensionless; αis the shape factor, dimensionless.


## 3. Solutions in the Laplace Space

If we take the Laplace transformation oftD of Eqs.(4)–(12), we obtain the following equation:(6)P¯jDrD,z=∫0∞e−ztDPjDrD,tDdtD,j=1,2,P¯wDz=∫0∞e−ztDPwDtDdtD,where z is the Laplace variable and P¯1D,P¯2D,P¯wD are elements of Laplace space. Then, the form of the model in Laplace space can be obtained as follows:(7)K1rDddrDrDdP¯1DdrD+λP¯2D−P¯1D=ωzP¯1D,1−K1rDddrDrDdP¯2DdrD−λP¯2D−P¯1D=1−ωzP¯2D,P¯1D−S1rDdP¯1DdrDrD=1=P¯2D−S2rDdP¯2DdrDrD=1=P¯wDz,KrDdP¯1drD+1−KrDdP¯2drDrD=1=−1z−CDzP¯wD,P¯1D∞,z=P¯2D∞,z=0,ordP¯1DdrDrD=RD=dP¯2DdrDrD=RD=0,orP¯1DRD,z=P¯2DRD,z=0.Theorem 1.
If boundary value problem (7) has a unique solution, then the solution can be expressed as follows:(8)P¯1DrD,z=1z•1CDz+Ka2+1−K/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−Ka1+1−K/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1/S2+Ψ1,σ2/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−S2+Ψ1,σ1/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1•a2ΨrD,σ2/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−a1ΨrD,σ1/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1S2+Ψ1,σ2/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−S2+Ψ1,σ1/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1,P¯2DrD,z=1z•1CDz+Ka2+1−K/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−Ka1+1−K/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1/S2+Ψ1,σ2/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−S2+Ψ1,σ1/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1•ΨrD,σ2/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−ΨrD,σ1/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1S2+Ψ1,σ2/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−S2+Ψ1,σ1/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1,where ΨrD,σi is defined as a similar kernel function.(i)
The outer boundary condition is infinite(9)ΨrD,σi=Φ0,0irD,RDΦ1,0i1,RD=K0σirDσiK1σi,RD⟶∞i=1,2.(ii)
The outer boundary condition is closed(10)ΨrD,σi=−Φ0,1irD,RDΦ1,1i1,RDi=1,2.(iii)
The outer boundary condition is a constant(11)ΨrD,σi=−Φ0,0irD,RD,Φ1,0i1,RDi=1,2.Here, we get(12)ai=1+1−ωz−1−Kσi2λi=1,2,σ1,22=12ωz+λK+1−ωz+λ1−K±1−ωz+λ1−K−ωz+λK2+4λ2K1−K.Φl,kirD,ξi=1,2;l,k=0,1are called as the functions of the guide solution, i.e.,(13)Φ0,0irD,ξ=φ0,0rD,ξ,σi,Φ1,0irD,ξ=∂Φ0,0irD,ξ∂rD=−σiφ1,0rD,ξ,σi,Φ0,1irD,ξ=∂Φ0,0irD,ξ∂ξ=σiφ0,1rD,ξ,σi,Φ1,1irD,ξ=∂2Φ0,0irD,ξ∂rD∂ξ=−σi2φ1,1rD,ξ,σi,where φm,nx,y,τ=KmxτInyτ+−1m−n+1ImxτKnyτ and Kv•,Iv• are modified Bessel functions of the order v. τ is a parameter.Proof 1.
Firstly, we prove the closed outer boundary condition.
The general solution to the government equation in the boundary value problem can be expressed as follows (the detailed derivation is given in AppendixA):(14)P¯1DrD,z=a1D1φ0,1rD,RD,σ1I1RDσ1+a2D2φ0,1rD,RD,σ2I1RDσ2,P¯2DrD,z=D1φ0,1rD,RD,σ1I1RDσ1+D2φ0,1rD,RD,σ2I1RDσ2,where D1,D2 are arbitrary constants. Substitute p¯1DrD,z and p¯2DrD,z into Eq.(7) separately, the linear system about D1,D2 can be obtained as follows:(15)1−a1φ0,11,RD,σ1I1σ1RD−a1S1−S2σ1φ1,11,RD,σ1I1σ1RDD1+1−a2φ0,11,RD,σ2I1σ2RD−a2S1−S2σ2φ1,11,RD,σ2I1σ2RDD2=0,CDzφ0,11,RD,σ1I1σ1RD+Ka2+1−K+CDzS2σ1φ1,11,RD,σ1I1σ1RDD1+CDzφ0,11,RD,σ2I1σ2RD+Ka2+1−K+CDzS2σ2φ1,11,RD,σ2I1σ2RDD2=1z.
Because the boundary value problem has a unique solution, the determinantΔ of the coefficients of the linear system (namely, Eqs. (15)) about D1,D2 is not equal to zero. Now, according to the Cramer rule, the value of D1,D2 is obtained as follows:(16)D1=−1zΔI1σ1RD1−a2φ0,11,RD,σ2−a2S1−S2σ2φ1,11,RD,σ2,D2=1zΔI1σ2RD1−a1φ0,11,RD,σ1−a1S1−S2σ1φ1,11,RD,σ1.Where Δ=(17)1−a1φ0,11,RD,σ1−a1S1−S2σ1φ1,11,RD,σ1⋅CDzφ0,11,RD,σ2+Ka2+1−K+CDS2zσ2φ1,11,RD,σ2−1−a2φ0,11,RD,σ2−a2S1−S2σ2φ1,11,RD,σ2⋅CDzφ0,11,RD,σ1+Ka1+1−K+CDS2zσ1φ1,11,RD,σ1.
Substituting Eq. (16) from Eq. (14), then we can obtain Eq. (8) by combining with Eqs. (9)–(11) and (12)-(13).
Similarly, when the outer boundary conditions are infinite and  (7), the solution to boundary value problem can also be expressed as Eq.(8).
According to the boundary condition:(18)P¯2D−S2rDdP¯2DdrDrD=1=P¯wDz.
The dimensionless bottom hole pressure can be obtained(19)P¯wDz=1z•1CDz+Ka2+1−K/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−Ka1+1−K/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1/S2+Ψ1,σ2/1−a2Ψ1,σ2+S2−a2S1−S2+Ψ1,σ1/1−a1Ψ1,σ1+S2−a1S1.
If letS1=S2=S, then Eq.(19) can be written as follows:(20)P¯wDz=1z•1CDz+a2−1Ka1+1−K/a2−a1S+Ψ1,δ1+a1−1Ka2+1−K/a2−a1S+Ψ1,δ2.
Now, we analyze the situation ofS1=S2=S as follows:(21)P¯wDz=1z•1CDz+1−K/S+Ψ1,1−ω/1−kz+K/S+Ψ1,ω/kz.(i)
At the later time, whentD⟶∞, z⟶0, then Eq. (20) can be written as follows:
(22)PwD¯=1z•1CDz+1/S+Ψ1,1−ω/1−kz.


## 4. Chart Analysis

We draw the test well special curves of the dual permeability reservoir under three outer boundary conditions by using MATLAB software (Figure2).(1)
In Figure2, the characteristic curves of both pressure and the pressure derivative are overlapping under three different outer boundary conditions in stages I-IV, which indicate that the changes in bottom hole pressure are the same before the pressure reaches the outer boundary.(2)
Stages I-III are the early parts. Because of the influence of pure wellbore storage in the early times, the curves of the bottom hole pressure and pressure derivative coincide and show a line with a slope of 1. After the influence of pure wellbore storage, the curve of pressure derivative slopes downward after the peak appearance. The level of the peak value depends on theCDe2S.(3)
Stage IV is the mid-party that mainly replies to the cross-flow characteristics of the transition zone, which are influenced by the mobility ratioK, storativity ratio ω, and cross-flow coefficientλ. We will conduct further analysis in part 4.2.(4)
Stage V is the latter part that replies to the characteristics of radial flow in the dual permeability. When the outer boundary condition is closed, the pressure derivative is a line with a slope of 1(as shown by the blue dotted line in Figure2). When the outer boundary condition is infinite, the pressure derivative is 0.5 line (as shown by the red dotted line in Figure 2), and when the outer boundary condition is a constant value, the pressure derivative will bend downwards (as shown by the green dotted line in Figure 2).Figure 2
Special curves of the pressure and pressure derivative of dual permeability (CDe2S=1, K=0.9,ω=10−3,λ=10−5).Now, we will analyze the impact ofK,ω,λon bottom hole pressure according to the chart (as shown in Figures 3–11). In Figures 3–5, we let CDe2S=1, λ=10−5 ,K=0.9 and let ω be equal to 10−1, 10−2, 10−3, and 10−4 separately.Figure 3
Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the infinite outer boundary influenced byω (CDe2S=1, λ=10−5, K=0.9).Figure 4
.Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the constant outer boundary influenced byω (CDe2S=1, λ=10−5, K=0.9).Figure 5
.Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the close outer boundary influenced byω (CDe2S=1, λ=10−5, K=0.9).Figure 6
Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the infinite outer boundary influenced byK (CDe2S=1, λ=10−5, ω=10−3).Figure 7
Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the close boundary influenced byK (CDe2S=1, λ=10−5, ω=10−3).Figure 8
Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the constant boundary influenced byK (CDe2S=1, λ=10−5, ω=10−3).Figure 9
Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the infinite outer boundary influenced byλ (CDe2S=1, ω=10−3, K=0.9).Figure 10
Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the constant value outer boundary influenced byλ(CDe2S=1, ω=10−3, K=0.9).Figure 11
Dimensionless pressure of vertical wells under the close outer boundary influenced byλ(CDe2S=1, ω=10−3,K=0.9).From Figures3–5, we know that the changes of parameter ω have an obvious influence on the transition zone no matter how under which kind of outer boundary conditions. The stored energy ratio ω decides the width and depth of the concave pressure derivative curves in the transition section. With the decrease of a ω, the “concave” turns more deep and wide.In Figures6–8, we let CDe2S=1,λ=10−5,ω=10−3 and let Kequal to 0.6, 0.9, 0.99, 0.999, respectively.From Figures6–8, we can obtain that the change of K has an obvious effect on the seepage zone of transition under the three different boundary conditions. For different values of K, the “concave” has different degrees of depth. The smaller the value of K, the “concave” is more shallower and approximately half of the value of the horizontal line. IfK=5, then we can get k1h1=k2h2, and the characteristics of the curve are the same with the homogeneous reservoir model, the pressure derivative will not appear “concave”, and the greater the value of K, the deeper the “concave”.In Figures9–11, we let CDe2S=1,K=0.9, and ω=10−3and let λ be equal to 10−2, 10−3, 10−4, and 10−5, respectively.From Figures9–11, we can obtain that the position of the transition zone is determined by the cross-flow coefficientλ. The smaller value of λ, the later the transition zone appears, which reflects that the “concave” is on the right in Figures 9–11.


## 5. Conclusions

(1)
In this paper, we obtain the expression of bottom hole pressure of the dual permeability reservoir by using the SCM in Laplace space, and we provide a more complete testing chart for analyzing the change law of the pressure of dual permeability.(2)
Using the SCM to solve the model of a vertical well in a dual permeability reservoir can avoid the cumbersome process of derivation, and the SCM only includes simple arithmetic, so it is easily understood and grasped. At the same time, the steps of SCM provide a clear algorithm flow for programs.(3)
We obtain the simplified formula of solution (Eqs.30∼31) for the model of the vertical well in a dual permeability reservoir, which contributes to analyzing the characteristics of the early and later parties in Figures 2–11.(4)
We draw the curves of the bottom hole pressure and pressure derivative by using the modified Stehfest inversion formula and MATLAB software. We observe and analyze the change law of the curves by changing the mobility ratioK, storativity ratioω, and cross-flow coefficientλ, which may provide an important theoretical value for further studying the dual permeability reservoir.



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