This thesis is aimed to calculate the effective permeability tensor and to simulate the fluid flow in naturally fractured reservoirs. This requires an understanding of the mechanisms of fluid flow in naturally fractured reservoirs and the detailed properties of individual fractures and matrix porous media. This study has been carried out to address the issues and difficulties faced by previous methods; to establish possible answers to minimise the difficulties; and hence, to improve the efficiency of reservoir simulation through the use of properties of individual fractures. The methodology used in this study combines several mathematical and numerical techniques like the boundary element method, periodic boundary conditions, and the control volume mixed finite element method. This study has contributed to knowledge in the calculation of the effective permeability and simulation of fluid flow in naturally fractured reservoirs through the development of two algorithms. The first algorithm calculates the effective permeability tensor by use of properties of arbitrary oriented fractures (location, size and orientation). It includes all multi-scaled fractures and considers the appropriate method of analysis for each type of fracture (short, medium and long). In this study a characterisation module which provides the detail information for individual fractures is incorporated. The effective permeability algorithm accounts for fluid flows in the matrix, between the matrix and the fracture and disconnected fractures on effective permeability. It also accounts for the properties of individual fractures in calculation of the effective permeability tensor. The second algorithm simulates flow of single-phase fluid in naturally fractured reservoirs by use of the effective permeability tensor. This algorithm takes full advantage of the control volume discretisation technique and the mixed finite element method in calculation of pressure and fluid flow velocity in each grid block. It accounts for the continuity of flux between the neighbouring blocks and has the advantage of calculation of fluid velocity and pressure, directly from a system of first order equations (Darcy???s law and conservation of mass???s law). The application of the effective permeability tensor in the second algorithm allows us the simulation of fluid flow in naturally fractured reservoirs with large number of multi-scale fractures. The fluid pressure and velocity distributions obtained from this study are important and can considered for further studies in hydraulic fracturing and production optimization of NFRs.

Thesis (M.S. - Renewable Natural Resources)--University of Arizona, 1984. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 69).

Orientadores: Denis José Schiozer, Arnaud Lange / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica e Instituto de Geociências / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T16:46:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lima_Alexandrede_M.pdf: 3755455 bytes, checksum: 9ceb17ac0ecaaecbc45e059c8549115a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: A maior parte das reservas provadas de óleo convencional no mundo está contida nos reservatórios carbonáticos, as quais, em sua maioria, apresentam fraturas responsáveis por impactarem no fluxo do reservatório. Estas descontinuidades conhecidas como fraturas são encontradas na natureza em diversas escalas e, dependendo do tamanho, podem apresentar dificuldades para serem caracterizadas e modeladas matematicamente. Para exemplificar, pode ser citada a complexidade intrínseca à caracterização de fraturas subsísmicas para modelar objetos em escala menor do que a escala de dados de sísmica e poço. De maneira geral, as fraturas sempre foram um desafio devido a diversos motivos tais como o acréscimo no tempo computacional nas simulações e as dificuldades na caracterização. Estas preocupações se agravam pelo fato de que, na maior parte das vezes, os estudos em engenharia já são complexos, iterativos e consomem elevado tempo até sua finalização como, por exemplo, no processo de ajuste de histórico. Com a intenção de auxiliar e reduzir o tempo despendido nestes estudos é proposta a construção de uma ferramenta rápida capaz de selecionar modelos através do uso da teoria dos Grafos, antes de partir diretamente para onerosas simulações de reservatórios fraturados. Assim, desenvolve-se uma metodologia de análise de conectividade entre poços e também entre poço-reservatório baseada na representação de modelos de reservatórios através da teoria dos Grafos e do uso de seus algoritmos. Esta metodologia é utilizada em quatro aplicações distintas: (1) seleção inicial de modelos estáticos, (2) validação da relação entre conectividade e tempo de irrupção de água, (3) auxílio no processo de ajuste de histórico e (4) melhoria da eficiência de varrido / Abstract: Most proven conventional oil reserves in the world are contained in carbonate reservoirs, which mostly of them have fractures that impact on reservoir dynamic behavior. These discontinuities well-known as fractures are found in nature on several scales and, depending on theirs size, they can present many difficulties to be characterized and modeled mathematically. As an example that can be mentioned is the intrinsic complexity of subseismic fractures characterization to model objects on a smaller scale than the scale of seismic and well data. Overall, fractures have always been a challenge because of various reasons like the increasing in computational time simulating or the difficulties faced to characterize them. These concerns are related to the fact that most of the engineering studies are already complex, iterative and consume large time until its conclusion as, for example, the history matching process. In order to assist and reduce the time spent on these studies is proposed to build a fast tool able to select models through the use of the theory of Graphs, before leaving directly to costly fractured reservoir simulations. Thus, it is developed a methodology of connectivity analysis between wells and also between well and all reservoir, which is based on the representation of reservoir models by Graph theory and the use of its algorithms. This methodology is employed in four different applications: (1) initial selection of static models, (2) validation of the relationship between connectivity and breakthrough time, (3) to assist the history matching process and (4) for improving the sweep efficiency / Mestrado / Reservatórios e Gestão / Mestre em Ciências e Engenharia de Petróleo

Les traitements antirétroviraux (TARV) actuels ne parviennent pas à éradiquer totalement le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) de l’organisme, le virus reste présent dans des sites anatomiques ou cellulaires appelés "réservoirs". Cette persistance virale se traduit aussi par une inflammation chronique à bas-bruit, responsable de la majorité des comorbidités associées au VIH.L'objectif de mon travail de thèse est d'étudier le rôle du tissu adipeux infecté en tant que facteur d'inflammation et site de persistance virale. Le tissu adipeux est un organe endocrine, doué de propriétés immunologiques claires dans lequel on trouve les cibles principales du VIH: les LTCD4 et les macrophages. Nous avons analysé l'impact de l'infection SIV sur les profils d'activation et différenciation des lymphocytes T et macrophages du tissu adipeux sous cutané (SCAT) et le tissu graisseux mésentérique (VAT) prélevé au niveau du grand omentum de macaques cynomolgus. Nous avons démontré une activation du tissu adipeux: recrutement des macrophages, profil plus inflammatoire des macrophages, recrutement massif de LTCD8, et une plus forte proportion de LT activés. Parallèlement, nous avons détecté la présence du virus SIV (détection d'ARN et d'ADN viral) dans les fractions stroma-vasculaires du tissu adipeux et dans les fractions triées de lymphocytes T et macrophages chez les macaques infectés. Nous avons aussi démontré la présence du VIH au niveau du tissu adipeux des patients infectés et traités (Damouche et al PlosPathogens 2015). Ces résultats identifient pour la première fois le tissu adipeux comme un site réservoir du VIH.Nous avons ensuite évalué si le tissu adipeux présente des propriétés intrinsèques favorisant la persistance du VIH en nous concentrant sur les lymphocytes T CD4. Cette étude a été menée chez des patients infectés par le VIH et sous TARV efficace et des sujets non infectés. Nous avons observés une augmentation dans la proportion des Ly Treg chez les patients infectés par rapport aux sujets sains. Aucun changement majeur dans les pourcentages des fractions Th1 et Th17, au sein des Ly T CD4 chez les patients infectés par le VIH et sous ART n’a été observé. De même, le pourcentage de lymphocytes T CD4 mémoires « résidant » n'a pas été affecté par l’infection. Collectivement, ces résultats suggèrent que les cellules T CD4 du tissu adipeux n'ont pas subi d’importantes altérations dans le profil de différenciation et d’activation malgré la persistance virale. Nous avons aussi évalué le profil immuno-modulateur pouvant contribuer à l'activation limitée intervenant dans le tissu adipeux. Nous avons observé un pourcentage élevé de cellules exprimant PD-1 parmi les cellules T CD4 mémoire résistante aux tissus adipeux chez les patients infectés par le VIH et non infectés, suggérant un rôle immuno-modulateur des cellules T CD4 du TA. Cette forte expression de PD-1 à la surface des cellules T CD4, intrinsèque au tissu adipeux pourrait contribuer à la persistance virale. / The current antiretroviral treatments (ART) do not completely eradicate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) from the body, the virus remains present in anatomical or cellular sites called "reservoirs". This viral persistence also results in chronic low-grade inflammation, responsible for the majority of HIV-associated comorbidities.The objective of my thesis work is to study the role of infected adipose tissue as an inflammatory factor and site of viral persistence. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ with clear immunological properties in which the main targets of HIV are found: CD4 T lymphocytes and macrophages. We analyzed the impact of the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection on the activation and differentiation profiles of T lymphocytes and macrophages of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) and mesenteric adipose tissue (VAT) from the large omentum of cynomolgus macaques. We have demonstrated an activation of adipose tissue: macrophage recruitment, macrophage inflammatory profile, massive recruitment of LTCD8, and a higher proportion of activated T lymphocytes. At the same time, we detected the presence of the SIV virus (detection of RNA and viral DNA) in the stroma-vascular fractions of the adipose tissue and in the sorted fractions of T lymphocytes and macrophages in the infected macaques. We also demonstrated the presence of HIV in the adipose tissue of infected and treated patients (Damouche et al PlosPathogens 2015). These results identify for the first time adipose tissue as an HIV reservoir site.We then evaluated whether adipose tissue exhibits intrinsic properties that promote persistence of HIV by focusing on CD4 T lymphocytes. This study was conducted in HIV-infected patients under effective HAART and non-infected subjects. We found no major changes in the percentages of Th1, Th17 fractions within Ly T CD4 in HIV-infected patients and ART, but an increased in the proportion of Treg cells was observed in infected patients compared to healthy subjects. The percentage of "resident" CD4 T cell lymphocytes was not affected by infection. Collectively, these results suggest that CD4 T cells of adipose tissue have not undergone significant alterations in the differentiation and activation profile despite viral persistence. We also evaluated the immuno-modulatory profile that may contribute to limited activation in adipose tissue. We observed a high percentage of cells expressing PD-1 among the CD4 T cells resistant to adipose tissue in HIV-infected and uninfected patients, suggesting an immunomodulatory role of CD4 T cells of TA. This strong expression of PD-1 on the surface of CD4 T cells, intrinsic to adipose tissue, could contribute to viral persistence.

No description available.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The investigation of reservoir sedimentation has become an important and valuable research topic in engineering practice. Sediment deposition in reservoirs can affect ood levels, drainage for agriculture land, pumpstation and hydropower operation and navigation. An extensive review of the technical literature pertaining to suspended sediment transports as well as deposited sediment ushing from reservoirs has shown that most studies on sediment are still based on empirical formulas and experimental work, despite the availability of sophisticated computers. This is because sediment transport and particularly sediment deposition and erosion are complex processes, that involve the interaction of many physical factors which are not easily modelled numerically. In addition, most of the existing three-dimensional numerical models are not coupled hydrodynamic and sediment transport models. They first simulate the velocity field and water depth and then the concentration and bed change are calculated. Furthermore, they are not fully three-dimensional models for using layer-averaged approaches in conjunction with Saint-Venant equations. The key objective of the present research was to develop a coupled fully three-dimensional (3D) numerical model based on Navier-Stokes equations which includes both the sediment transport component and hydrodynamic parameters. In this regard, a physical model was set up in a laboratory ume in order to investigate the bottom outlet sediment ushing under pressure in a controlled environment. The proposed coupled fully 3D numerical model was used to simulate the experimental tests. Results from these simulations were in good agreement with the measurements. The geometric features of the scour hole (temporal and spatial hole development) upstream of the bottom outlet were reasonably well predicted compared to the experimental data. Furthermore, the velocity field upstream of the bottom outlet was in good agreement with measurements. The proposed numerical model can be considered reliable provided that the model is correctly set up to reflect the condition of a particular case study. Finally, the coupled fully 3D numerical model for turbulent suspended sediment transport in reservoirs was validated against a range of typical reservoir sediment transport and deposition laboratory flume cases. The proposed suspended sediment transport model successfully predicted both sediment deposition and entrainment processes and therefore, it can be used for turbulent suspended sediment transport assessments in reservoirs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die ondersoek van damtoeslikking het 'n belangrike navorsing onderwerp in ingenieurswese praktyk geword. Sedimentdeponering in damme kan vloed vlakke, dreinering van landbo grond sowel as pompstasie en hidrokrag werking en navigasie benvloed. 'n Omvattende ontleding van die tegniese literatuur met betrekking tot gesuspendeerde sedimentvervoer asook die spoel van gedeponeerde sediment uit reservoirs het getoon dat die meeste studies oor sediment steeds op empiriese formules en eksperimentele werk gebaseer is, ten spyte van die beskikbaarheid van gesofistikeerde rekenaars. Dit is omdat sedimentvervoer en veral sedimentafsetting en -erosie komplekse prosesse is, wat die interaksie van baie fisiese faktore behels en nie moeiteloos numeries gemodelleer kan word nie. Daarbenewens, in die meeste van die bestaande drie -dimensionele numeriese modelle is die hidrodinamika en sedimentvervoer modelle nie gekoppel nie. Die numeriese modelle simuleer eerstens die snelheid veld en waterdiepte en dan word die sedimentkonsentrasie en bedverandering bereken. Verder is die bestaande modelle nie ten volle driedimensioneel nie, en gebruik laag-gemiddelde benadering in samewerking met Saint- Venant vergelykings. Die hoofdoelwit van die huidige navorsing was om 'n gekoppelde volle drie -dimensionele (3D) numeriese model gebaseer op Navier -Stokes-vergelykings wat beide die sediment vervoer komponent en hidrodinamiese parameters insluit, te ontwikkel. In hierdie verband is 'n fisiese model opgestel in 'n laboratorium kanaal om die bodem uitlaat spoel van sediment onder druk in 'n beheerde omgewing te ondersoek. Die voorgestelde gekoppelde 3D numeriese model is gebruik om die eksperimentele toetse na te boots. Resultate van hierdie simulasies het goed ooreengestem met die metings. Die geometriese eienskappe van die erosie gat (tyd en ruimtelike gatontwikkeling) stroomop van die bodemuitlaat was redelik goed voorspel vergeleke met die eksperimentele data. Verder is die snelheid veld stroomop van die bodem uitlaat ook goed voorspel. Die voorgestelde numeriese model kan beskou word as betroubaar met die wete dat die model korrek opgestel is om die toestand van 'n bepaalde gevallestudie te weerspiel. Ten slotte, is n gekoppelde 3D numeriese model vir turbulente gesuspendeerde sediment vervoer in reservoirs ontwikkel en getoets teen 'n reeks laboratorium kanaal eksperimente. Die voorgestelde gesuspendeerde sediment vervoer model voorspel suksesvol beide die sediment afsetting- en erosieprosesse en daarom kan dit gebruik word vir die simulasie van turbulente gesuspendeerde sediment vervoer in damme.

A critical issue in the development of gas condensate reservoirs is accurate prediction of well deliverability. In this investigation a procedure has been developed for accurate prediction of well production rates using semi-empirical approach. The use of state of the art fine grid numerical simulation is time consuming and computationally demanding, therefore not suitable for real time rapid production management decisions required on site. Development of accurate fit-for-purpose correlations for fluid property prediction below the saturation pressure was a major consideration to properly allow for retrograde condensation, complications of multiphase flow and mobility issues. Previous works are limited to use of experimentally measured pressure, volume, temperature (PVT) property data, together with static relative permeability correlations for simulation of well deliverability. To overcome the above limitations appropriate fluid property correlations required for prediction of well deliverability and dynamic three phase relative permeability correlation have been developed to enable forecasting of these properties at all the desired reservoir conditions The developed correlations include; condensate hybrid compressibility factor, viscosity, density, compositional pseudo-pressure, and dynamic three phase relative permeability. The study made use of published data bases of experimentally measured gas condensate PVT properties and three phase relative permeability data. The developed correlations have been implemented in both vertical and horizontal well models and parametric studies have been performed to determine the critical parameters that control productivity in gas condensate reservoirs, using specific case studies. The improved correlations showed superior performance over existing correlations on validation. The investigation has built on relevant literature to present an approach that modifies the black oil model for accurate well deliverability prediction for condensate reservoirs at conditions normally ignored by the conventional approach. The original contribution to knowledge and practice includes (i) the improved property correlations equations, (4.44, 4.47, 4.66, 4.69, 4.75, 5.21) and (ii) extension of gas rate equations, for condensate rate prediction in both vertical and horizontal wells. Standard industry software, the Eclipse compositional model, E-300 has been used to validate the procedure. The results show higher well performance compared with the industry standard. The new procedure is able to model well deliverability with limited PVT and rock property data which is not possible with most available methods. It also makes possible evaluation of various enhanced hydrocarbon recovery techniques and optimisation of gas condensate recovery.

A stochastic dynamic programming model (called P.B.S.D.P.) based on the consideration of peak discharge and time between peaks as two stochastic variables has been used to model and to solve a reservoir operation problem. This conceptualization of the physical reality allows to solve, in this order, the tactical and strategic operation of surface reservoirs. This P.B.S.D.P. model has been applied to the Sau reservoir in the Northeastern corner of Spain. The results showed a significant improvement over the currently used operation procedure, yielding values of yearly average electricity production that are somewhat under 6% of what could have been the maximum electricity production.

No description available.

No description available.