Stochastic analysis of multiple fracture propagation and interaction in reservoir rocks

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Project Description

This research project is to combine a numerical analysis program based on an extended finite element method (XFEM) with a stochastic fracture geometry generation program. The merger will be used to analyze different fracture propagation and interaction patterns based on different reservoir conditions. The student intern will be assigned to participate in various tasks of this project such as literature review, program development and debugging, and parametric study using the developed program. They will also participate in various academic activities at KAUST to enhance their knowledge and understanding regarding various numerical techniques and simulation applications.  Recommended Student Academic & Research Background:Subject-related engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Petroleum, and Civil Eng.) or applied mathematics, Numerical analysis, Finite element method, and Programming skills with Fortran, C/C++, Python, R, and ETC​
Program - Earth Science and Engineering
Division - Physical Sciences and Engineering
Field of Study - ​civil engineering, environmental engineering, petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering ​

About the
Researcher

Shuyu Sun

Professor, Earth Science and Engineering

Shuyu Sun
​Professor Sun's recent research covers:
  • Finite element methods (in particular, adaptive discontinuous Galerkin methods for flow and reactive transport problems in porous media) and numerical analysis (a priori and a posteriori error estimation)
  • Computational transport phenomena and numerical oil reservoir simulations
  • Computational thermodynamics of reservoir fluids

Desired Project Deliverables

​Fracture propagation analysis data correlated with different boundary and/or loading conditions, and research report or/and a scientific paper