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Abstract
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Accurately simulating fluid flow in faulted hydrocarbon reservoirs remains a significant challenge due to the
complex interactions between mechanical deformation and multiphase fluid dynamics. This study introduces a
novel two-dimensional, two-phase hydromechanical model that incorporates zero-thickness interface elements to
represent faults within a finite element framework. The model solves the coupled equations for mass and momentum
conservation along with structural mechanics for both fluid and solid phases. Fluid pore pressure and
solid displacement are considered the primary unknowns, while fluid velocity and stress fields are treated as
secondary variables. The governing equations are implemented using the standard Galerkin finite element
method, with the zero-thickness interface element applied in both single- and double-nodal configurations to
represent the fault geometry. A custom MATLAB code is developed to solve the discretized equations using a fully
integrated approach. One of the key outcomes of this research is the formulation and discretization of the
governing equations for two-phase flow within zero-thickness interface elements, including a generalization for
double-nodal elements with a mid-plane representation to account for variations in displacement and pressure
fields. The model's robustness is demonstrated through simulations of faulted domains in both longitudinal and
transverse directions. The results confirm the capability and accuracy of the proposed model in capturing
complex hydromechanical interactions in faulted porous media.
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