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.

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.

Heterogeneous mixtures have the potential to be used as synthetic substrates for antenna applications giving the antenna designer new degrees of freedom to control the permittivity and/or permeability in three dimensions such as by a smooth variation of the density of the inclusions, the height of the substrate and the manufacture the whole antenna system in one process. Electromagnetic, fabrication, environmental, time and cost advantages are potential especially when combined with nano-fabrication techniques. Readily available and cheap materials such as Polyethylene and Copper can be used in creating these heterogeneous materials. These advantages have been further explained in this thesis. In this thesis, the research presented is on canonical, numerical and measurement analysis on heterogeneous mixtures that can be used as substrates for microwave applications. It is hypothesised that heterogeneous mixtures can be used to design bespoke artificial dielectric substrates for say, patch antennas. The canonical equations from published literature describing the effective permittivity, ε_eff and effective permeability, μ_eff of heterogeneous mixtures have been extensively examined and compared with each other. Several simulations of homogenous and heterogeneous media have been carried out and an extraction/inversion algorithm applied to find their ε_eff and μ_eff. Parametric studies have been presented to show how the different variables of the equations and the simulations affect the accuracy of the results. The extracted results from the inversion process showed very good agreement with the known values of the homogenous media. Numerically and canonically computed values of ε_eff and μ_eff of various heterogeneous media were shown to have good agreement. The fabrication techniques used in creating the samples used in this research were examined, along with the different measurement methods used in characterising their electromagnetic properties via simulations and measurements. The challenges faced with these measurement methods were explained including the possible sources of error. Patch antennas were used to investigate how the performance of an antenna may be affected by heterogeneous media with metallic inclusions. The performance of the patch antenna was not inhibited by the presence of the metallic inclusions in close proximity. The patch measurement was also used as a measurement technique in determining the ε_eff of the samples.

Increasing surface pressure buildup levels and surface venting flow rates on intermediate wellbore casing strings provided an opportunity to analyze wellbore field data to determine a distribution of leakage path permeability values. The gas leakage source in the leaky wellbore originated at depth, and formation gas/fluid traveled along defects in the cement to accumulate at the surface wellhead. The most likely pathway is the cement interface with casing or formation. Due to uncertainty about the location of the leak, and the different methods that were used for calculating leakage parameter values, a range of leakage path permeability values was produced. Most leakage pathway permeability values were greater than intact cement permeability (few microdarcies). This finding supports the practice of using cement filled annuli to provide a safe protective barrier against leakage and to prevent gas flow to surface. Proper cementing techniques are presented in order to identify possible reasons for cracks to form. It is hypothesized that the higher permeability values are a result of cracks in the cement interface with the casing or formation. These types of defects could also be found in wellbores that are in communication with CO2 sequestration reservoirs. The risk of leakage along such existing wellbores associated with CO2 sequestration projects is quantified by the distribution of leakage path permeability. The gas migration path through existing leaky wellbores is an analog for wellbores that are in contact with migrating CO2 plumes. Cracks in the leaky wellbores provide a highly permeable conduit for CO2 to migrate out of the injection zone to the surface. By quantifying leakage path permeability, proper leakage risk assessment can be further developed. / text

Cette thèse s’intéresse à la caractérisation de couches diélectriques et magnétiques de structures multicouches par cavité résonante microonde. Les matériaux multicouches ont des propriétés électromagnétiques spécifiques et sont utilisés dans beaucoup de secteurs industriels, par exemple, dans les radiocommunications. La caractérisation électromagnétique reste une priorité pour la compréhension des caractéristiques de propagation des ondes électromagnétiques dans ces milieux. Dans ce travail de thèse nous proposons une nouvelle approche expérimentale pour déterminer les propriétés diélectriques effectives d’une structure multicouches en fonction des propriétés et de l’épaisseur de chacune des couches. En particulier, nous appliquons les expressions de permittivités issues de la méthode des perturbations utilisée en cavité résonante au cas d’un échantillon rectangulaire bicouche. L’analyse théorique établie a montré qu’une expression de simple proportionnalité reliant les propriétés diélectriques moyennes d’un matériau bicouche avec les propriétés diélectriques relatives et les épaisseurs des couches constituantes peut être obtenue. Cette méthode a été appliquée avec succès sur différents matériaux bicouches. En particulier, elle a permis la caractérisation d’une couche de YIG d’épaisseur très mince (19.6 μm) déposée par pulvérisation cathodique sur un substrat d’alumine en connaissant l’épaisseur et les propriétés diélectriques du substrat. La comparaison avec les résultats expérimentaux a révélé un bon accord entre théorie et mesure. L’analyse de l’incertitude associée au calcul de la permittivité par la méthode a montré une bonne sensibilité. Enfin, nous donnons les courbes de variation de la perméabilité effective mesurée pour un empilement bicouche avec une couche mince de YIG / This thesis aimed at characterizing the dielectric and magnetic layers of multilayer structures by using the technique of microwave resonant cavity. Multilayer structures have specific electromagnetic properties and are becoming increasingly important in many industrial domains, such as in radio-communication systems. The electromagnetic characterization remains a priority for understanding the characteristics of electromagnetic wave propagation in such environments. The thesis proposed a new experimental approach to determine the effective dielectric properties in a bilayer structure as a function of the characteristics and thickness of each specific layer. In particular, we apply the expressions of permittivities derived from the perturbations method which are used in resonant cavities in case of a bilayer rectangular sample. The established theoretical analysis leads us to propose a new expression of simple proportionality describing a relationship between the mean dielectric properties of a bilayer material and the relative dielectric properties and thickness of the constituent layers. The presented method has been successfully applied to different bilayer materials. Particularly, it allowed the characterization of a very thin layer (YIG layer) of thickness 19.6 microns deposited by cathodic sputtering on an alumina substrate by knowing the thickness and dielectric properties of this substrate. The comparison with the experimental results revealed good agreement between theory and measurement. The analysis of the uncertainty associated to the calculation of the permittivity by the presented method showed good sensitivity. Finally, we provide the curves of variation of the effective permeability measured for a bilayer stack

Cette thèse est consacrée au développement d'une méthode numérique visant à modéliser des écoulements dans des milieux poreux fissurés, ainsi qu'à déterminer leur perméabilité effective à partir des avancements théoriques récents. En parallèle, elle a été aussi l'occasion de continuer sur la voie théorique et d'obtenir de nouveaux résultats sur ce plan.Les équations générales gouvernant l'écoulement dans de tels matériaux sont rappelées, et plus particulièrement, la conservation de la masse à l'intersection entre fissures est établie explicitement [132, 139]. Des solutions générales du potentiel sont proposées sous la forme d'une équation intégrale singulière décrivant l'écoulement dans et autour des fissures entourées par une matrice infinie soumise à un champ lointain [136, 139]. Ces solutions représentent le champ de pression dans le milieu infini en fonction de l'infiltration dans les fissures qui prennent en compte complètement l'interaction et l'intersection entre fissures. En considérant le problème d'une fissure super-conductrice, des solutions analytiques de l'écoulement ont été développées et ces solutions sont utilisées comme cas de référence pour valider la solution numérique. De plus, la solution théorique de ce problème dans le cas 3D permet de comparer le modèle d'écoulement de Poiseuille dans une fissure elliptique d'épaisseur nulle et le modèle d'inclusion ellipsoïdale aplatie soumise à l'écoulement de Darcy [140]. Des outils numériques ont été développés en se basant sur la méthode des équations intégrales singulières afin de résoudre les équations générales du potentiel [132, 180]. Cela permet, d'une part, de modéliser l'écoulement stationnaire dans un domaine poreux contenant un grand nombre de fissures et, d'autre part, de proposer une solution semi-analytique de l'infiltration dans une fissure isolée dépendant de la perméabilité de la matrice, de la conductivité de la fissure et de la variable géométrique de la fissure. Cette dernière est l'élément essentiel pour déterminer de la perméabilité effective d'un milieu poreux fissuré en utilisant des schémas d'homogénéisation. Ce modèle auto-cohérent révèle un seuil de percolation qui est alors applicable pour l'estimation de la perméabilité effective d'un matériau contenant un grand nombre de fissures. L'approche par sous-structuration permet l'extension de la solution générale du potentiel, écrite pour un domaine infini, à celle d'un domaine fini [181]. Une solution analytique de l'écoulement dans et autour d'une fissure partiellement saturée est établie, fondée sur la solution analytique pour la fissure super-conductrice. Celle-ci est alors utilisée pour estimer la perméabilité effective d'un milieu poreux fissuré non-saturé [141]. Le modèle de la perméabilité effective est appliqué dans le contexte du stockage géologique du CO2 en vue d'étudier le comportement d'une zone de faille constituée par un noyau argileux et des zones fissurées. La pression d'injection provoque l'augmentation de la pression interstitielle dans le réservoir. Cette surpression engendrée dans le réservoir peut affecter la perméabilité de zones fissurées ce qui conduit à des phénomènes hydromécaniques couplés. Les résultats de simulations numériques permettent d'évaluer, d'une part, le risque de la remontée de la saumure à l'aquifère supérieur, et d'autre part, le risque de l'initiation d'une rupture sur le plan de la faille / This thesis aims to develop a method for numerical modelling of fluid flow through fractured porous media and for determination of their effective permeability by taking advantage of recent results based on formulation of the problem by Singular Integral Equations. In parallel, it was also an occasion to continue on the theoretical development and to obtain new results in this area. The governing equations for flow in such materials are reviewed first and mass conservation at the fracture intersections is expressed explicitly. Using the theory of potential, the general potential solutions are proposed in the form of a singular integral equation that describes the steady-state flow in and around several fractures embedded in an infinite porous matrix under a far-field pressure condition [136, 139]. These solutions represent the pressure field in the whole body as functions of the infiltration in the fractures, which fully take into account the fracture interaction and intersections. Closed-form solutions for the fundamental problem of fluid flow around a single fracture are derived, which are considered as the benchmark problems to validate the numerical solutions. In particular, the solution obtained for the case of an elliptical disc-shaped crack obeying to the Poiseuille's law has been compared to that obtained for ellipsoidal inclusions with Darcy's law [140].The numerical programs have been developed based on the singular integral equations method to resolve the general potential equations [132, 180]. These allow modeling the fluid flow through a porous medium containing a great number of fractures. Besides, this formulation of the problem also allows obtaining a semi-analytical infiltration solution over a single fracture depending on the matrice permeability, the fracture conductivity and the fracture geometry. This result is the important key to upscalling the effective permeability of a fractured porous medium by using different homogeneisation schemes. The results obtained by the self-consistent scheme have been in particular established. The multi-region approach can be used to extend the general potential solution written for the infinite domain to that for a finite domain [181]. A closed-form solution for flow in and around a single partially saturated fracture, surrounded by an infinite matrix subjected to a far-field condition, is also derived combining the solutions for a superconductive fracture and for an imprevious fracture. This solution is then employed to estimate the effective permeability of unsaturated fractured porous media [141].The effective permeability model is applied to study the hydromechanical behaviour of a fault zone constituted by a clay core surrounded by fractured zones in the context of CO2 geological storage. The pressure injection induces an overpressure in the reservoir that may affect the permeability of the fractured zones leading to complexe coupled hydromechanical phenomena. The simulation results allow evaluating the risk of leakage of the reservoir brine to higher aquifers as well as the risk of fault reactivation