A multiscale finite element method for simulating flow in fractured porous media
Palavras-chave:
Discrete Fracture Networks, Porous Media Flow, Multiscale Method, Mixed Finite ElementsResumo
This work extends on Duran et al. [1] to propose a multiscale locally conservative finite element method ́
for the simulation of flow in fractured porous media. The method employs H(div)-confirming flux approximations
that carry advantages such as the ability to solve problems with nearly incompressible materials, better accuracy
for the velocity field approximation, fewer requirements on the regularity of the solution, and continuity of the
normal velocity between elements. The last of these leads to locally conservative approximations of the velocity
field, which is considered paramount in the area of reservoir simulation. The flow in the porous media is modeled
using traditional Darcy’s law, and the coupling with the fracture flow is modeled with the Discrete-Fracture-Matrix
representation, where the fractures are idealized as lower-dimensional elements at the interface of matrix elements. The method is applied to a benchmark problem of a complex reservoir with several fractures.
