Fractals In Reservoir Engineering

Many natural objects have been found to be fractal and fractal mathematics has been used to generate many beautiful ?nature? scenes. Fractal mathematics is used in image compression and for movies and is now becoming an engineering tool as well. This book describes the application of fractal mathematics to one engineering specialty ? reservoir engineering. This is the process of engineering the production of oil and gas. The reservoir engineer's job is to design and predict production from underground oil and gas reservoirs. The successful application of fractal mathematics to this engineering discipline should be of interest, not only to reservoir engineers, but to other engineers with their own potential applications as well. Geologists will find surprisingly good numerical descriptions of subsurface rock distributions. Physicists will be interested in the application of renormalization and percolation theory described in the book. Geophysicists will find the description of fluid flow scaling problems faced by the reservoir engineer similar to their problems of scaling the transport of acoustic signals.

In this unique volume, renowned experts discuss the applications of fractals in petroleum research-offering an excellent introduction to the subject. Contributions cover a broad spectrum of applications from petroleum exploration to production. Papers also illustrate how fractal geometry can quantify the spatial heterogeneity of different aspects of geology and how this information can be used to improve exploration and production results.

This book provides theoretical concepts and applications of fractals and multifractals to a broad range of audiences from various scientific communities, such as petroleum, chemical, civil and environmental engineering, atmospheric research, and hydrology. In the first chapter, we introduce fractals and multifractals from physics and math viewpoints. We then discuss theory and practical applications in detail. In what follows, in chapter 2, fragmentation process is modeled using fractals. Fragmentation is the breaking of aggregates into smaller pieces or fragments, a typical phenomenon in nature. In chapter 3, the advantages and disadvantages of two- and three-phase fractal models are discussed in detail. These two kinds of approach have been widely applied in the literature to model different characteristics of natural phenomena. In chapter 4, two- and three-phase fractal techniques are used to develop capillary pressure curve models, which characterize pore-size distribution of porous media. Percolation theory provides a theoretical framework to model flow and transport in disordered networks and systems. Therefore, following chapter 4, in chapter 5 the fractal basis of percolation theory and its applications in surface and subsurface hydrology are discussed. In chapter 6, fracture networks are shown to be modeled using fractal approaches. Chapter 7 provides different applications of fractals and multifractals to petrophysics and relevant area in petroleum engineering. In chapter 8, we introduce the practical advantages of fractals and multifractals in geostatistics at large scales, which have broad applications in stochastic hydrology and hydrogeology. Multifractals have been also widely applied to model atmospheric characteristics, such as precipitation, temperature, and cloud shape. In chapter 9, these kinds of properties are addressed using multifractals. At watershed scales, river networks have been shown to follow fractal behavior. Therefore, the applications of fractals are addressed in chapter 10. Time series analysis has been under investigations for several decades in physics, hydrology, atmospheric research, civil engineering, and water resources. In chapter 11, we therefore, provide fractal, multifractal, multifractal detrended fluctuation analyses, which can be used to study temporal characterization of a phenomenon, such as flow discharge at a specific location of a river. Chapter 12 addresses signals and again time series using a novel fractal Fourier analysis. In chapter 13, we discuss constructal theory, which has a perspective opposite to fractal theories, and is based on optimizationof diffusive exchange. In the case of river drainages, for example, the constructal approach begins at the divide and generates headwater streams first, rather than starting from the fundamental drainage pattern.

This book aims to develop the ideas from fundamentals of percolation theory to practical reservoir engineering applications. Through a focus on field scale applications of percolation concepts to reservoir engineering problems, it offers an approximation method to determine many important reservoir parameters, such as effective permeability and reservoir connectivity and the physical analysis of some reservoir engineering properties. Starring with the concept of percolation theory, it then develops into methods to simple geological systems like sand-bodies and fractures. The accuracy and efficiency of the percolation concept for these is explained and further extended to more complex realistic models.Percolation Theory in Reservoir Engineering primarily focuses on larger reservoir scale flow and demonstrates methods that can be used to estimate large scale properties and their uncertainty, crucial for major development and investment decisions in hydrocarbon recovery. remove

Methods and Applications in Petroleum and Mineral Exploration and Engineering Geology is an interdisciplinary book bridging the fields of earth sciences and engineering. It covers topics on natural resources exploration as well as the application of geological exploration methods and techniques to engineering problems. Each topic is presented through theoretical approaches that are illustrated by case studies from around the globe. Methods and Applications in Petroleum and Mineral Exploration and Engineering Geology is a key resource for both academics and professionals, offering both practical and applied knowledge in resources exploration and engineering geology. Features new exploration technologies including seismic, satellite images, basin studies, geochemical modeling and analysis Presents cases studies from different countries such as the Hoggar area (Algeria), Urals and Siberia (Russia), North of Chile (II and III regions), and North of Italy (Trentino Alto adige) Includes applications of the novel methods discussed

Fractal analysis has entered a new era. The applications to different areas of knowledge have been surprising. Let us begin with the fractional calculus-fractal geometry relationship, which allows for modeling with extreme precision of phenomena such as diffusion in porous media with fractional partial differential equations in fractal objects. Where the order of the equation is the same as the fractal dimension, this allows us to make calculations with enormous precision in diffusion phenomena-particularly in the oil industry, for new spillage prevention. Main applications to industry, design of fractal antennas to receive all frequencies and that is used in all cell phones, spacecraft, radars, image processing, measure, porosity, turbulence, scattering theory. Benoit Mandelbrot, creator of fractal geometry, would have been surprised by the use of fractal analysis presented in this book: "Part I: Petroleum Industry and Numerical Analysis"; "Part II: Fractal Antennas, Spacecraft, Radars, Image Processing, and Measure"; and "Part III: Scattering Theory, Porosity, and Turbulence." It's impossible to picture today's research without fractal analysis.

The subject of wavelet analysis and fractal analysis is fast developing and has drawn a great deal of attention in varied disciplines of science and engineering. Over the past couple of decades, wavelets, multiresolution, and multifractal analyses have been formalized into a thorough mathematical framework and have found a variety of applications with significant impact in several branches of earth system sciences. Wavelets and Fractals in Earth System Sciences highlights the role of advanced data processing techniques in present-day research in various fields of earth system sciences. The book consists of ten chapters, providing a well-balanced blend of information about the role of wavelets, fractals, and multifractal analyses with the latest examples of their application in various research fields. By combining basics with advanced material, this book introduces concepts as needed and serves as an excellent introductory material and also as an advanced reference text for students and researchers.

The application of fractals and fractal geometry in soil science has become increasingly important over the last few years. This self-contained and timely book was designed to provide detailed and comprehensive information on the current status of the application of fractal geometry in soil science, and on prospects for its future use. With a detailed and specific introductory chapter, particular attention is paid to comparing and contrasting "fractal" and "fragmentation" concepts. Some uses of fractals, such as to quantify the retention and transport properties of soils, to describe the intricate geometry of pore surfaces and macropore networks, or to elucidate the rooting patterns of various plants, are discussed. Applications of fractals in soil science are both relatively recent and in constant evolution. This book reflects accurately existing trends, by allowing sharp differences among the viewpoints expressed in contributed chapters to be presented to the reader in one self-contained volume.