SPE 68184

Integrated Study of a Fractured Middle East Reservoir with Stratiform Super-K

Intervals Part 2: Upscaling and Dual Media Simulation
L.Cosentino and Y.Coury (Beicip-Franlab), J.M.Daniel, E.Manceau, C.Ravenne and P.Van Lingen (IFP), J.Cole and
M.Sengul (Saudi Aramco)

Copyright 2001, Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.

This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2001 SPE Middle East Oil Show held in
Bahrain, 1720 March 2001.
This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE Program Committee following review of
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presented, have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to
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Abstract
The paper describes the upscaling and reservoir simulation of
a giant Middle East oilfield, whose geological modeling is
described in a companion paper (1). The main objective of the
study was the simulation of the irregular water advance
observed in some parts of the field, as a consequence of
peripheral water injection.
Three scales of heterogeneity were identified in the
characterization phase, namely the matrix, the stratiform
Super-K intervals and the fractures. To accommodate the
different hydraulic properties of each heterogeneity system, a
dual-media approach (dual porosity and dual permeability)
was used.
The assignment of the effective properties to the
simulation grids (matrix and fracture grids) was performed
independently for the three heterogeneity systems. In
particular, the geostatistical facies model was upscaled using
algebraic methods, while the stratiform Super-K layers and
fractures properties were explicitly reproduced at the
simulation gridblock scale, through an original upscaling
procedure.
The history match was achieved in a short time, by a small
variation of the fractal dimension of the fracture distribution
and without resorting to any local modification.
Simulation results showed that the fracture system was the
controlling factor in terms of water advance and breakthrough,
while the impact of the stratiform Super-K layers proved to be
of second order.
In a later stage, the model was utilized to run production
forecasts under different exploitation scenarios.

Conclusions of this study indicate that for such porous and

fractured reservoirs with stratiform Super-K occurrences, a
detailed characterization of all the heterogeneity systems,
coupled with a dual-media formulation, are necessary
requisites for accurate reservoir simulation and effective
reservoir management.
Introduction
Heterogeneities are always present, to some degree, in natural
petroleum reservoirs (2). Their impact can be very important
in the overall dynamic behavior of the reservoirs, especially
when secondary recovery project are active, e.g., water or gas
injection.
In the Middle East area, many oil reservoirs are currently
experiencing unexpected production performance, especially
early water breakthrough, which started usually soon after the
implementation of waterflooding projects. In most studies,
such unexpected behavior is generically related to the
presence of reservoir heterogeneity, in the form of some high
permeability conduits which link the injector and the producer
wells. Note that, while such simplified understanding can be
sufficient for a history matching exercise, a much better
description of the reservoir heterogeneity is required, in terms
of type and distribution, when the simulation model is used in
forecasting mode.
This project concentrated on the geological description,
upscaling and numerical simulation of a giant Middle East
carbonate reservoir, which experienced early water
breakthrough in some parts of the field. Since it was felt that
reservoir heterogeneity was the driving factor behind this
unexpected behavior, most of the effort was devoted to the
description and simulation of such heterogeneity.
The geological characterization of the reservoir is
described in a companion paper (1). Three main heterogeneity
systems were identified, namely:
1.

The matrix. This is constituted by porous and permeable

limestones and dolomites. A rock-type classification
system was established by means of a multivariate
statistical algorithm. Vertical and horizontal proportion
curves were generated within a sequence stratigraphy
framework, which showed a strong non-stationary

L.COSENTINO et al.

behavior. Eventually, a 3D facies geostatistical model was

generated. Petrophysical properties were assigned to the
fine scale grid through an original inversion algorithm
based on flowmeter data (3).
2. The stratiform Super-K intervals. These are thin, high
permeability layers with conductivity in excess of 500
bbl/day/feet. Such intervals are defined through the
analysis of the available flowmeters and they have been
included into the geostatistical model using a
plurigaussian algorithm. A strong relationship between
stratigraphic position and stratiform Super K intervals
was demonstrated. The estension, the shape and the
continuity of these bodies are largely unknown and are
key factors of the characterization phases.
3. The fractures. The presence of fractures has been
inferred through the analysis of data from seismic
interpretation, curvature analysis and wellbore logs.
Fractures do cluster in swarms that can be represented as
heavily fractured lineaments (called fracture in the
following). All the available data concerning these
fracture swarms were integrated in a stochastic fault and
fracture model and alternative images were generated
through a fractal approach.
In the next sections, we describe the impact of these
reservoir heterogeneities in the field behavior and the
implementation of the available geological characterization in
the simulation model.
Problem Statement
The field under study is a giant carbonate reservoir, which has
been on stream for almost 30 years. The reservoir has been
producing under fluid expansion and weak aquifer drive until
1995, when a waterflooding project started. Fig. 1 shows a
map of the reservoir structure. Note that the field is a part of a
much larger oil accumulation which extends to the South and
to the North, therefore these limits do not correspond to real
reservoir boundaries. The inner window shows the area
retained for numerical simulation (pilot area).
The main problem of the field under study is early water
breakthrough, especially in some wells located in the Western
flank. Such behavior has been observed in recent years, after
the start of the water injection project, while no significant
water production had been measured before that date.
The situation is depicted in Fig. 2, where all the dry and
wet producers of the studied zone are indicated, together with
the approximate position of the actual water front in the two
flanks. As it can be appreciated, the water has moved faster
and in an irregular way in the West flank, while in the East
flank the water front appears in general smoother and more
regular.
In particular, some of the wells of the West flank
experienced early water breakthrough only few months after
production start-up, despite being several kilometers distant
from the original contact. This corresponds to an approximate
water velocity of 20-40 meters/day. On the other hand, some

SPE 68184

wells located much closer to the original water contact are still
dry.
The above observations suggest that this reservoir behaves
as a Dual Media reservoir. Actually, 2 flow systems can be
identified, with completely different hydraulic properties, one
medium with high storage capacity and relatively low
conductivity and one medium with low storage capacity and
high conductivity.
The former medium corresponds to the matrix, i.e. the
porous and permeable limestone and dolomite facies. Here, in
the absence of significant reservoir heterogeneity, the
sweeping process is rather stable and will eventually lead to
good conformance factors.
The latter medium includes those reservoir heterogeneities
that are deemed responsible for the high water velocity
observed in some areas of the field. This medium therefore
includes the faults and fractures described in the structural
study and the stratiform Super-K layers.
For such complex reservoirs, the dual-media approach
(dual porosity dual permeability) represents a convenient
simulation approach, since it explicitly accounts for the
different hydraulic properties of each heterogeneity system. It
also provides the necessary flexibility for testing the impact of
each reservoir feature independently. Furthermore, the model
used in this study allows for the explicit modeling of the
different displacement mechanisms acting in a Dual Media
reservoir (expansion, capillarity, gravity, viscosity), thus
providing additional flexibility to the simulation study (4). For
these reasons, since the beginning of the project, the Dual
Media approach was considered the reference framework for
simulation purposes.
Alternative simulation strategies were also investigated,
based on a single-medium approach and original pseudoisation
procedures (5). In some cases, these options provide a viable
alternative to the more general Dual Media formulation.
Upscaling procedures
Upscaling aims at defining the effective reservoir properties at
the simulation grid scale. A sound upscaling procedure should
reproduce, at the coarser scale of the simulation grid, the flow
performances expected if the corresponding fine scale model
would be used. In a Dual Media context, the problem is
decoupled, since the simulation grids are actually two: the
matrix and the fracture grids. This decoupling can be seen as a
further advantage of the Dual Media formulation, since
distinct and specific procedure can be established for the two
systems, thus reducing the risk of excessive homogeneisation.
In the context of this study, the 3 heterogeneity systems
identified in the geological phase, has been assigned to the
simulation model as a function of the expected flow
performances. Therefore, the matrix properties have been
upscaled to the matrix grid, while fractures and stratiform
Super-K properties have been upscaled to the fracture grid
(even though in the geological modeling stratiform Super-K
intervals were modeled within the geostatistical matrix grid).
Note that in the remaining of the text, whenever a reference is

SPE 68184

INTEGRATED STUDY OF A FRACTURED MIDDLE EAST RESERVOIR WITH

STRATIFORM SUPER-K INTERVALSPART 2: UPSCALING AND DUAL MEDIA SIMULATION

made to the fracture grid, this actually includes the fractures

and the stratiform Super-K intervals.
In this section, the upscaling procedures utilized for the 3
heterogeneity systems will be described. The model has been
built using cells with dimension of 250*250 meters in the X
and Y directions, corresponding to an increase of a factor 2
with respect to the geological model grid, which was 125*125
meters. In the vertical direction, 13 layers were considered.
This layering was designed in order to have sufficient detail
for the most important reservoir units, while keeping a
reasonable number of total cells. The number of cells in the X,
Y and Z directions is 88*40*13. The total number of cells is
therefore 45,760 for each of the simulation grids (matrix and
fracture). Fig 3 shows two images of the simulation grids of
the matrix and the fracture media (bottom layer). Note that the
fracture grid can be imagined as a 3D, interconnected
framework of vertical drains (faults and fractures) and
horizontal drains (stratiform Super-K intervals).
Matrix
The upscaling of porosity to the simulation matrix grid has
been performed using a simple weighted average operator.
The stratiform Super-K intervals of the geological model were
removed, while a Net/Gross was computed as the ratio
between matrix thickness (excluding the stratiform Super-K
thickness) and total thickness.
Permeability has been assigned to the matrix simulation
grid on the basis of the fine-scale permeability values
available in the existing geostatistical model. As in the case of
porosity, stratiform Super-K intervals were removed from the
computation. The upscaling procedure applied to compute the
effective permeability values for the simulation grid is based
on the method of Cardwell and Parsons (5). This algebraic
method was deemed adequate, considering the relatively low
degree of dispersion of the individual facies average
permeability.
Stratiform Super-K
Stratiform Super-K were upscaled to the fracture grid using an
original procedure. In the XY plane, the presence and/or the
absence at the simulation grid scale was assessed on the basis
of the number of cells existing at fine scale. Whenever 2 or
more cells were defined as stratiform Super-K in the fine scale
geological model, this was extended to the whole gridblock,
no matter their relative disposition. This empirical rule is
shown in Fig. 4.
In the vertical direction, for each simulation layer, the
location of the stratiform super-K intervals, as well as their
thicknesses (or cumulative thickness, when more than 1
interval is present) are computed, and then directly integrated
in the calculation of fracture transmissivities and vertical
block sizes. In all cases, the vertical position of each
individual stratiform super-K. In all cases, the vertical position
of each individual stratiform Super-K was maintained in the
simulation gridblock, to account for lateral communication
between distinct Super-K bodies.

From a petrophysical point of view, stratiform Super-K

intervals have been characterized with a constant porosity
value equal to 35% and one single average value of
permeability of 2 Darcies. This is the average permeability
value for such bodies, as it was found through the analysis of
the available flowmeter data. These values were assigned to
the simulation grid blocks where a stratiform Super-K interval
was found.
Faults and Fractures
The faults and fractures system was generated through a
stochastic approach (7), based on the integration of different
kind of data. Since no properties were generated at fine scale,
no explicit upscaling procedure has been applied to the
fractures, and all the main fracture properties were defined
directly at the simulation grid scale. This was performed
through an original procedure, that automatically provide the
input files for simulation purposes.
First, the geometry of the fracture network generated by
the stochastic model is superimposed onto the simulation grid.
The length and the location of the fractures in each cell are
computed. Each fracture is approximated by a discretized
fracture as illustrated in Fig. 5. Then the effective fracture
porosity, i,j, is computed as:

i,j = (di,j * efrac) / (Xi,j * Yi,j)

Where:
di,j : effective length of the fracture in cell (i,j)
efrac: fracture thickness
Xi,j : cell dimension in X direction
Yi,j : cell dimension in Y direction
Note that if there are several fractures in a given cell, the
relevant properties are added.
As far as fracture permeability is concerned, the procedure
allows for the direct calculation of the transmissibility terms in
the fracture grid. When a fracture crosses two adjacent cells
(i,j) and (i+1,j), the transmissibility term is given by:
TRANX(i,j)->(i+1,j) = (Kfrac * efrac * Zi,j * 2) / (di,j + di+1,j)
Where:
Kfrac : fracture permeability
Zi,j : cell dimension in Z direction
Note that this formulation is normalized for the actual
length of the fracture, which is always less or equal to the
discretised length (see Fig. 5).
Fracture permeability has been chosen on the basis of the
average value of hydraulic conductivity, i.e. the product of
aperture and fracture permeability:
CF = KF * e
After some tests, a constant conductivity value of 40
Darcy*meter has been applied to all the fractures. This value
has been derived on the basis of the available flowmeter data.

L.COSENTINO et al.

Another important parameter in Dual Media simulation is

the matrix block size, since this largely controls the exchanges
between matrix and fractures. The methodology adopted to
compute the matrix block size is based on an ideal imbibition
process and it is described in detail in Ref. 8.
Phenomenological Model
Before starting the pilot area simulation, a phenomenological
model was built and run with the main objective of studying
the relative impact of matrix, stratiform Super-K and fractures
on the dynamic behaviour of the reservoir, particularly with
respect to the timing of the water breakthrough. Two versions
of this model were built: a fine scale (reference) Single
Medium model and a coarse grid, Dual Media model. This
was done with the aim of testing the validity of the procedure
for fracture properties determination described in the previous
section.
The phenomenological model was based on a two
kilometers wide half-transversal section of the pilot model,
located in the West flank of the field. The geometrical and
petrophysical characteristics were derived from the pilot
model, in order to guarantee the consistency of the results.
The main results of the phenomenological model are
shown in Fig. 6. The following points can be appreciated:

In the matrix case, water breakthrough (BT) occurs 10

years after the injection start.
The existence of a typical stratiform Super-K (2 Darcy)
has little impact on BT but only on water cut (Fw)
evolution.
The presence of a stratiform Super-K accelerates the BT
only when permeability in higher than 2 Darcy.
In the presence of a fracture, water breakthrough occurs
much earlier than in the previous cases. In all the run
analyzed, water BT happens in the first year after the
injection start.
Different fracture conductivities have an impact on Fw
evolution, while the BT time is not significantly different
(not shown in the figure).
The Dual Media formulation is in remarkable agreement
with the Single Medium (fine scale) reference case. This
confirmed the validity of the upscaling procedures
described in the previous section.

These results demonstrate that early water breakthrough is

virtually always related to fractures. This is what typically
happens in the West flank of the field, where the fracturing is
intense, and the fractures often link up the injectors and
producers. Note that these results were anticipated through the
simple superposition of the interpreted fracture network and
the production performances (Fig. 7). As it can be appreciated,
the wet wells happens to lie always on a fracture swarm, while
the dry wells are located in unfractured areas.
On the other hand, stratiform Super-K may contribute to
early BT only when the Super-K permeability is high and

SPE 68184

when their extension is significant, connecting for example

injector/producer pairs.
Dual Media Simulation Model
The simulation model covers an area of approximately 220
squared kilometers, corresponding to the inner window of Fig.
1. This zone includes 39 producer and 18 injector wells.
The model was initialized with a bubble point map, to
reflect the trends of saturation pressure and viscosity observed
in the field. A relatively simple model of saturation functions
was used, with one curve and variable end points for the
matrix medium and one single curve (cross-shaped) for the
fracture medium. The model was run through the complete
historical period (28 years).
The history match of the saturations was achieved in a
short time frame. Actually, the initial geological model, in
terms of matrix, fracture and stratiform Super-K, provided a
very reliable framework for simulation purposes. As it will be
shown, only minor modifications were necessary to obtain a
satisfactory match.
The sensitivity runs that were performed showed the
relative impact of the various reservoir parameters in the final
results. These are shown in Tab. 1. As it can be appreciated,
three main parameters crop out as the most important reservoir
features, i.e. structural lineaments, hydraulic conductivity and
matrix capillary pressure.
Structural lineaments. These were defined in the
geological model by combining the faults coming from
seismic interpretation and the lineaments picked during the
curvature analysis. Stochastic fractures are generated around
these lineaments using a fractal technique. A better match of
the field performance was obtained through a slight reduction
(1.4 1.3) of the fractal dimension. This corresponds to an
increase of stochastic fracture clustering (less spread) around
the main lineaments.
Hydraulic conductivity. This is the product of fracture
aperture and permeability. Several combination of the two
parameters were tested, within the conductivity range of 10 to
40 D*meter. Eventually, a value of 40 D*meter was retained.
Matrix capillary pressure. This value is important in that
it defines the amount of water that is prone to be imbibed in
the matrix as a consequence of capillary exchanges. A high
value corresponds to water wet rocks, where significant
imbibition takes place. Lower values, corresponding to oil wet
conditions, would prevent such imbibition and would allow
the water to run faster into the fracture system
Results of the simulation runs confirmed that the fracture
system is by far the controlling factor in the water
displacement process. This is especially true in the West flank,
where fracture swarms are more developed. Stratiform SuperK intervals, on the other hand, play a minor role and are
related to early water breakthrough only in those cases where
the Super-K directly connects injector/producer pairs, as was
already shown in the phenomenological model. This is most
likely to occur in the East flank, where fracturing is less
intense and several stratiform Super-K intervals have been
observed.

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INTEGRATED STUDY OF A FRACTURED MIDDLE EAST RESERVOIR WITH

STRATIFORM SUPER-K INTERVALSPART 2: UPSCALING AND DUAL MEDIA SIMULATION

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show the results of the simulation for two
typical wells of the West flank, in terms of water cut. The first
well (Fig. 8) experienced early water breakthrough few
months after the injection start, despite being 4 Km far from
the injectors line and high in the structure. On the other hand,
the second well is located downstructure from the previous
one, much closer to the injector wells (Fig. 9). As it can be
appreciated, the model restitutes very well the behavior of
both wells.
Total field results are shown in Fig. 10. The agreement
between the measured data and the simulated profile is
remarkable, both in terms of water breakthrough and water cut
trend. The total quantity of water is also well matched. These
results prove that the reservoir behavior has been correctly
reproduced in the simulator and give confidence in the results
of the prediction phase.
Fig. 11 shows the results of the simulation in terms of
vertical distribution of oil and water rates for one key well.
This is compared with the actual flowmeter results measured
at the same date. As it can be appreciated, the match is
excellent, which implies that the fluid withdrawal along the
vertical direction (i.e., the vertical displacement) is also
correctly reproduced in the model. Note in this figure the
presence of a stratiform Super-K intervals (depth 5580 ft),
which accounts for almost 70% of the total well production.
This behaviour is well restituted in the simulation.
It should also be noted that these results were obtained
without resorting to any local modification of the input
parameters, neither in terms of static parameters (permeability
distribution), nor in terms of saturation functions. The only
tuning that was realized was related to global parameters (i.e.,
fracture fractal dimension and matrix capillary pressure). This
gives good confidence about the use of this model in the
forecast phase.
Fig. 12 shows two images of the displacement process in
the fracture grid (water is in light grey). These images refer to
the present saturation conditions in different reservoir layers
(left image the bottom layer, right image the top layer). The
comparison of the 2 images highlights the segregation process
taking place in the fracture network. The analysis of several
images of this type as a function of time (Fig. 13) revealed
that the water movement in the field is controlled by the
complex intersecting network of stratiform (horizontal) SuperK and tectonic (vertical) fractures and faults, while the
background limestone-dolomite matrix only plays a minor
role.
Finally, it should be remarked that simulation runs are
performed in a reasonable time frame (about 2 hours in a NEC
vector machine), despite the complexity of the reservoir
description (total amount of cells), the duration of the
historical production (28 years) and the Dual Media
formulation.
Presently, this model is being used in a series of
production forecasts under different exploitation scenarios,
both on a medium and a long term basis.

Conclusions
The main results and conclusions of the present work can be
summarized as follows:

The analysis of the production performance of the field

demonstrated that the reservoir behaves as a Dual Media
system, characterized by localized early breakthrough in
some wells updip in the structure.
Three heterogeneity systems have been identified and
characterized in this field: matrix, stratiform Super-K
intervals and fractures.
Original upscaling procedures have been developed to
compute the effective properties of each heterogeneity
system. These allows for the preservation of the extreme
values of conductivity at the simulation grid scale.
A phenomenological model has been set up with the main
objective of studying the relative impact of the different
heterogeneity systems. Results of this study indicated that
water breakthrough occurs much faster in the fractures
than in the matrix and stratiform Super-K intervals.
A Dual Media simulation has been performed in the
central part of the field. This simulation allowed for a
remarkable match of all the critical wells, as well as total
field performance, without resorting to local
modifications. This model represents a sound basis for
reliable production forecasts.
The analysis of the results showed that water movement
in the field is controlled by the complex network of
stratiform Super-K and tectonic fractures, while the
matrix only plays a minor role.
The available reservoir characterization, in terms of
matrix, stratiform Super-K and fractures, provides an
accurate model of the reservoir. From this point of view,
the model validates the characterization procedure utilized
in the previous phases of the study.
The quality of the simulation results demonstrates that the
Dual Media approach represent a rigorous and flexible
approach for such complex reservoirs. The additional time
required to build the fracture grid is largely paid back by
the time saved during the history match (no well by well
tuning and no local grid refinement required).

Acknowledgements
The authors want to thank Marie Christine Cacas, Sylvain
Sarda, Bernard Bourbiaux, Julien Seguin, Daniel Mas and
Jean Claude Sabathier for their essential contributions to the
development of the ideas here presented. We also would like
to thank Beicip-Franlab, IFP and Saudi Aramco managements
for the permission to publish this paper.
References
1. Ravenne, C., Daniel J.M., Lecomte J.C., Camus D., Chautru J.M.,
Cosentino L., Coury Y., Cole J., Sengul M.: Integrated Study of
a Fractured Middle East Reservoir with Stratiform Super-K
Intervals Part 1 : Geological Model. SPE paper 68183,
presented at the 2001 Middle East Oil Show, Bahrein.

L.COSENTINO et al.

2. Weber, K.J.: How heterogeneity Affects Oil Recovery. In

Reservoir Characterisation, Academic Press, 1986.
3. Mezghani, M., Van Lingen P., Cosentino L., Sengul M.:
Conditioning Geostatistical Models to Flowmeter Data. SPE
paper 65122, presented at the Europec 2000, Paris.
4. Quandalle, P., Sabathier J.C.: Typical Features of a New
Multipurpose Reservoir Simulator. SPE paper 16007
5. Van Lingen, P., Daniel J.M., Cosentino L., Sengul M.: Single
Medium Simulation of Fractured Reservoirs. SPE paper 68165,
presented at the 2001 Middle East Oil Show, Bahrein.
6. Cardwell, W.T., Parsons R.L.: Average Permeability of
Heterogeneous Oil Sands. Trans. AIME 1945.
7. Sabathier, J.C., Bourbiaux B.J., Cacas M.C., Sarda S.: A New
Approach of Fractured Reservoirs. SPE paper 39825.
8. Bourbiaux, B.J., Cacas M.C., Sarda S., Sabathier J.C. : A Fast and
Efficient Methodology to Convert Fractured Reservoir Images
into Dual Porosity Models. SPE paper 38907.

SPE 68184

SPE 68184

INTEGRATED STUDY OF A FRACTURED MIDDLE EAST RESERVOIR WITH

STRATIFORM SUPER-K INTERVALSPART 2: UPSCALING AND DUAL MEDIA SIMULATION

Uncertainty

Impact

*
***
**
**
**
***
**

*
*
**
**
***
**
***

***
**
*

***
**
*

Static parameters
Phi/K matrix
Phi Super-K
K Super-K
Super-K distribution
Structural lineaments
Stochastic Fractures
Hydraulic conductivity
Dynamic parameters
PC matrix
Kr matrix
Viscosity

Table 1 Uncertainty attached to various simulation parameters and their impact on final results

64
67

113
116
90
117
101

9
317
315
303
316

15

10 2
103

318

18

91

42

139

319

118
19
105
132106
92

320
304
321

70

69

107 140
78
12 0

322

141
80

71

72

68

147

323

85
121
305
8
122 87
133
149
310
98
306
94
23
112
307
130 95
16
300
329
123
134
88
308
2 2 11 1124
330
96
309
17
110125
301
135
99
136 126
311
21
89
100 127
137
20
312
302
150 97
109 129
313
93
24
314
138 12 8
142
79

55

143
146

65

29

14 4

152

148

331
324

Fig. 1 Structural top map of the field. The inner window shows the area retained for numerical simulation

L.COSENTINO et al.

316
318

103

134

18

88

91

22

139

42

17
319
320
304
321
322

18
105
132 106
92

19

107 140
78
120

SPE 68184

20

300
308

111124

330
96
309
110 125
301
135
99
36 126
11
21
89
100
127
137
312
97
302
150
109
129
313
93
24
314

Fig. 2 Present water contact position. Circles indicate wet wells, squares dry wells. The grey bands towards
the flanks show the original position of the oil-water contact.

Fig. 3 Dual Media simulation grids: matrix grid (left) and fracture (fracture+stratiform Super-K) grid (right)

SPE 68184

INTEGRATED STUDY OF A FRACTURED MIDDLE EAST RESERVOIR WITH

STRATIFORM SUPER-K INTERVALSPART 2: UPSCALING AND DUAL MEDIA SIMULATION

Fig. 4 Upscaling of the stratiform Super-K facies in the XY plane

Discretization of a fracture

For the fracture:

TRANX (13) (23) =
Kfrac. efrac. Z .2/(d13+d23)
TRANY (23) (22) =
Kfrac. efrac. Z .2/(d23+d33)

POROS (13) = d13 . efrac . / ( X . Y)

d22
d13
Actual fissure

d23

Discretized fissure

Fig. 5 Procedure for determining the effective fracture porosity and transmissibility for the simulation (fracture) grid

10

L.COSENTINO et al.

SPE 68184

0.8

0.6

0.4

Matrix only (No SK)

SK perm=2D (SM)
SK perm=2D (DM)

0.2

Fracture conductivity
20Dm
0
1981

1986

1991

1996

2001

2006

2011

Time
Fig. 6 Results of the phenomenological model: water cut behaviour for the matrix system, the matrix plus one stratiform
Super-K interval (both in Equivalent Single Medium and Dual Media formulation) and the matrix plus one fracture.

1
319

118
118

19
19

105
320

132 106
106
92
92

20

304

321
322

107
120

140
140
78

Fig. 7 Interpreted fracture pattern for the West flank and production results. Note that the wet wells(circles)
lie in fractured areas, while dry wells are located in unfractured areas. The first row of wells to the left represents the injectors.

SPE 68184

INTEGRATED STUDY OF A FRACTURED MIDDLE EAST RESERVOIR WITH

STRATIFORM SUPER-K INTERVALSPART 2: UPSCALING AND DUAL MEDIA SIMULATION

1
simulated

Water cut (adim)

0.8

measured
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
98
19

95
19

90
19

85
19

80
19

75
19

Fig. 8 History match of a key well of the West flank which experienced early water breakthrough: water cut evolution.
Above:position of the well (larger circle) with respect to the fault pattern and the injectors (small circles)

1
simulated

Water cut (adim)

0.8

measured
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
98
19

95
19

90
19

85
19

80
19

75
19

Fig. 9 History match of a key well of the West flank which did not experienced early water breakthrough: water cut evolution.
This well is located approximately 2 kilometers downdip with respect to the previous well

11

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L.COSENTINO et al.

SPE 68184

10
Measured water cut

Water cut (adim)

0.8

Simulated water cut

Measured total water

0.6

0.6

Simulated water

0.4

0.4

0.2

0.2

Standard cum. water prod. (1e6bbl)

98
19

95
19

90
19

85
19

80
19

75
19

300

Measured oil rate

250

Cumulative oil

150000

Simulated oil rate

200

100000

150
100

5000

50
0

0
98
19

95
19

90
19

85
19

80
19

75
19

Fig. 10 History match: total field

100

Fig. 11 Match of the flowmeter results for one key well (total liquid rate and water cut)

water (field)

5900

5800

5700

5600

5500

50

total (field)
water (sim)
total (sim)

Standard cum. oil prod. (1e6bbl)

Standard surface oil rate (bbl/d)

200000

SPE 68184

INTEGRATED STUDY OF A FRACTURED MIDDLE EAST RESERVOIR WITH

STRATIFORM SUPER-K INTERVALSPART 2: UPSCALING AND DUAL MEDIA SIMULATION

Fig. 12 Present water position in the fracture grid: bottom layer (left) and top layer (right)

Fig. 13 Cross sections showing water advance and segregation in the fracture grid (light grey).
Note how fracture planes are connected through Stratiform Super-K intervals (horizontal links)

13