Functions of flow from porous rock blocks

Abstract This paper presents three functions that describe approximately the flow of fluids between matrix-rock blocks and fractures in a fractured reservoir. The different types of flow described are: transient pressure-difference flow, gravitational drainage of oil and water-oil imbibition interchange. The functions were obtained through simplifications of the mathematical formulations of the three types of matrix-fracture flow interchanges. They were validated through comparison with several results of experiments, analytical models and numerical simulations of flow. The simple mathematical models of matrix-fracture flow presented can be easily implemented in numerical simulators of fractured reservoirs with the benefit of including actual petrophysical properties and dimensions of the fractured medium, in contrast with widely used inaccurate formulations involving parameters.