Reactive Transport Simulation of Cavern Formation along Fractures in Carbonate Rocks

Water

Zhifang Xu¹  Ruiqi Duan²  Liheng Wang²  Hong Zhang²  Yanhui Dong²  Genhua Shang³  Chen Yu³  Qiang Wang³ 

[1] Innovation Academy for Earth Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China;Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China;Sinopec Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China;

关键词: reactive transport model;    fractured carbonate rocks;    cave morphology;    heterogeneity;    fracture network topology;   

DOI  :  10.3390/w13010038

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Karst cavities and caves are often present along fractures in limestone reservoirs and are of significance for oil and gas exploration. Understanding the formation and evolution of caves in fractured carbonate rocks will enhance oil and gas exploration and development. Herein, a reactive transport model was established considering both the matrix and fractures. Different factors affecting the dissolution along fractures were considered in the simulation of matrix–fracture carbonate rocks, including the magnitude and characteristic length of the matrix porosity heterogeneity, intersecting fractures, and complex fracture network. The results show that a strong heterogeneity of the matrix porosity significantly affects the cave formation along the fracture and the existence of fractures increases the heterogeneity due to the high permeability as well as the dissolution area. The characteristic length of the matrix porosity heterogeneity affects the cave location and shape. The larger permeability of intersecting fractures or the matrix greatly increases the cave size, leading to the formation of large, connected cave areas. A complex fracture network leads to more developed karst dissolution caves. The topology of the fracture network and preferential flow dominate the distribution of caves and alleviate the effect of the matrix heterogeneity.

【 授权许可】

Unknown