Often little information is available from core and log studies about the actual physical characteristics and magnitude of the fractures, yet it is limited to the description of near-wellbore fracture systems. Whereas, the ability to accurately predict the behavior of fluid flow in a reservoir scale requires the understanding of the inter-well fracture systems and the ability to differentiate between their conductivities to migration of fluids.

This presentation will share the in-depth understanding of fracture networks in a reservoir scale. Most of these experiences have been gained from integrating various sources of technical information and from analyzing large pressure and production data using modern techniques, including real-time analysis. The presenter will attempt to address the following queries: What do you need to consider in modeling fracture systems? How is it done? Will the power of numerical solutions help improve our understanding? Is an integrated work-flow, ranging from reservoir testing to reservoir simulation a “must”? 

Biography: 
Faisal AlThawad is a consultant in pressure transient analysis with Saudi Aramco’s Reservoir Description and Simulation Department since 1996 with extensive experiences in exploratory testing operations and supervision, specialized in complex well tests including modeling faults, fractures and complex well geometries such as multilateral wells. Currently he is working on his PhD research on fracture networks at Heriot-Watt University. He received his BSc, from King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, and an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University. He has nearly 21 years of total experience in various petroleum disciplines including drilling, reservoir management, simulation, and completed a six-year Specialist Development Program on “Reservoir Testing/New Technologies” with focus on fractures identification, characterization and modeling. Faisal held several leadership positions within the Petroleum Engineering Departments at Saudi Aramco. He is a member of SPE and EAGE and participated in many national and international conferences. He has authored a number of technical papers in the field of well testing. Faisal was selected as a panelist and invited to deliver speeches in a number of national and international technical meetings and universities as well as serving as a program committee member in several SPE events.