Physical considerations in the upscaling of immiscible displacements in a fractured medium
Yanis C. Yortsos · Geophysical monograph · 2000
The upscaling of two-phase flow in a fractured medium remains a problem still largely unresolved, despite its practical importance in many applications. In this paper, we present a physical approach to upscaling immiscible displacement and discuss the various regimes that may emerge as a function of process and structure variables. The relevance of these regimes to the various existing models-such as the equivalent continuum model (ECM), the double porosity model (DPM), or the dual permeability model (DKM)-and fracture-matrix interaction are emphasized. Open problems and potential approaches for their solution are outlined.