Title: A grid generation algorithm for reservoir domains with discrete fracture networks

Authors: Alireza Daneh Dezfuli; Seyed Saied Bahrainian

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, 61355, Iran ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, 61355, Iran

Abstract: In this paper, development of an algorithm for generation of unstructured grids applicable to combined discrete fracture networks (DFNs) and continuum reservoir media is described. Automatic grid refinement, grid size control, grid distribution, and grid quality enhancement are among the algorithm's capabilities. Grid refinement is based on a combination of point insertion and cell subdivision methods. Edge/face-based and cell-based connectivity matrices along with grid size control, grid distribution, and grid quality enhancement measures were automatically employed to refine unstructured grids. Computational unstructured grids are generated in two and three-dimensional fractured reservoir models to demonstrate the algorithm applications. [Received: June 28, 2013; Accepted: December 24, 2013]

Keywords: unstructured grid generation; reservoir media; discrete fracture networks; DFNs; automatic grid refinement; grid size control; grid distribution; grid quality enhancement; fractured reservoir modelling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2014.066303

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2014 Vol.8 No.4, pp.417 - 431

Received: 03 Jul 2013
Accepted: 24 Dec 2013
Published online: 23 Dec 2014 *

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