Abstract: A system and method having application notably towards predicting fluid flow characteristics within fractured subsurface reservoirs. The system and method include steps of reservoir characterization, gridding, discretization, and simulation of geologically realistic models describing the fractured subsurface reservoirs. A stochastic fracture representation that explicitly represents a network of fractures within a subsurface reservoir is constructed and used to build a fine-scale geological model. The model is then gridded such that the network of fractures is represented by interfaces between the fine-scale cells. The model is the discretized and simulated. Simulation can be on a fine-scale or on an upscaled coarse-scale to produce efficient and reliable prediction of fluid flow characteristics within the subsurface reservoir.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for generating accurate grids that can be used for simulation of highly complex subsurface reservoirs, such as fractured subsurface reservoirs. A representation of a fractured subsurface reservoir and an explicit discrete fracture represented within the fractured subsurface reservoir are provided. The representation of the fractured subsurface reservoir is decomposed into polyhedral cells. Interfaces between the polyhedral cells are selected to approximate the discrete fracture explicitly represented within the fractured subsurface reservoir. The selected interfaces are used to produce a grid that can be used for constructing a simulation model of the fractured subsurface reservoir.

Abstract: An earth model of a subsurface reservoir having an unstructured tetrahedral grid defining a plurality of tetrahedral cells that conform to geological discontinuities is provided. The tetrahedral cells define vertices in a physical space that store information associated with a depositional space of the subsurface reservoir. A polyhedral grid is generated in the physical space from the unstructured tetrahedral grid. The polyhedral grid defines a plurality of polyhedral cells that are split based on the information associated with the depositional space. One or more of the plurality of polyhedral cells can be associated with one or more elements having split-property values that correspond to properties on opposite sides of the one or more geological discontinuities. The polyhedral grid is used to model the behavior of the subsurface reservoir.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for generating accurate grids that can be used for simulation of highly complex subsurface reservoirs, such as fractured subsurface reservoirs. A representation of a fractured subsurface reservoir and an explicit discrete fracture represented within the fractured subsurface reservoir are provided. The representation of the fractured subsurface reservoir is decomposed into polyhedral cells. Interfaces between the polyhedral cells are selected to approximate the discrete fracture explicitly represented within the fractured subsurface reservoir. The selected interfaces are used to produce a grid that can be used for constructing a simulation model of the fractured subsurface reservoir.

Abstract: A system and method having application notably towards predicting fluid flow characteristics within fractured subsurface reservoirs. The system and method include steps of reservoir characterization, gridding, discretization, and simulation of geologically realistic models describing the fractured subsurface reservoirs. A stochastic fracture representation that explicitly represents a network of fractures within a subsurface reservoir is constructed and used to build a fine-scale geological model. The model is then gridded such that the network of fractures is represented by interfaces between the fine-scale cells. The model is the discretized and simulated. Simulation can be on a fine-scale or on an upscaled course-scale to produce efficient and reliable prediction of fluid flow characteristics within the subsurface reservoir.