Dispersed fluid flow in fractured reservoirs: An analysis of tracer‐determined residence time distributions

A methodology for analyzing the internal flow characteristics of a fractured geothermal reservoir using tracer-determined residence time distribution curves is outlined. Emphasis is placed on comparison of the statistical quantities obtained from the tracer curves of different reservoirs or of the same reservoir under different conditions. In this way, model-independent information may be used unambiguously to construct empirical reservoir performance correlations. Downhole measurements of the tracer response exiting from discrete fracture zones permit further characterization of reservoir fluid flow behavior. Tracer experiments conducted in prototype hot dry rock geothermal reservoirs in fractured rock are examined using these statistically based data analysis methods.