A numerical study of pore-fluid, thermal and mass flow in fluid-saturated porous rock basins

Author： Zhao Chongbin Hobbs B.E. Baxter K Mühlhaus H.B. Ord A

ISSN： 0264-4401

Source： Engineering Computations: Int J for Computer-Aided Engineering, Vol.16, Iss.2, 1999-02, pp. : 202-214

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Abstract

We present a numerical methodology for the study of convective pore-fluid, thermal and mass flow in fluid-saturated porous rock basins. In particular, we investigate the occurrence and distribution pattern of temperature gradient driven convective pore-fluid flow and hydrocarbon transport in the Australian North West Shelf basin. The related numerical results have demonstrated that: (1) The finite element method combined with the progressive asymptotic approach procedure is a useful tool for dealing with temperature gradient driven pore-fluid flow and mass transport in fluid-saturated hydrothermal basins; (2) Convective pore-fluid flow generally becomes focused in more permeable layers, especially when the layers are thick enough to accommodate the appropriate convective cells; (3) Large dislocation of strata has a significant influence on the distribution patterns of convective pore-fluid flow, thermal flow and hydrocarbon transport in the North West Shelf basin; (4) As a direct consequence of the formation of convective pore-fluid cells, the hydrocarbon concentration is highly localized in the range bounded by two major faults in the basin.