Averaging methods for numerical simulations of flows through heterogeneous porous media

Many natural rock systems contain small patches of different permeability which affect the flow of fluids through them. As these heterogeneities become smaller and more numerous, they become harder to model numerically. We consider how to reduce the computational effort required in simulations by incorporating their effects in the boundary conditions at the edges of each grid block. This is in contrast with current methods which involve often arbitrary changes in the fluid properties. The method is restricted to the case of widely-spaced patches, which simplifies interaction effects. The system then reduces to an array of dipoles, and two averaging methods are proposed for finite grid blocks. Several infinite systems, including vertical and horizontal bands, are also considered as further approximations. There is a great wealth of existing results from different fields which lead to identical mathematical problems and which can be used in these cases. Finally, we consider how to use these techniques when the precise configuration of the grid block is not known, but only its statistical properties. This can lead to results which are very different from the deterministic case.