Abstract: A plate model for heterogeneous low-permeability reservoirs was designed, and subsequently evaluated based on the similarity theory on the plate model simulation of heterogeneous low-permeability reservoirs. A physical simulation experiment was then performed to examine the porous-flow characteristics, by graphically representing the pressure gradient field and porous-flow area using the pressure data obtained via pressure sensors installed symmetrically inside the plate model. The experimental results showed that the pressure consumption in heterogeneous low-permeability reservoirs was very big in the areas adjacent to injection-production wells; pressure gradient reaches the lowest level at the midpoint of the central line of two wells of the same size; pressure gradient distribution within a flooding unit changes with variations in the rate of porous flow and degree of in-plane heterogeneity; increased porous flow results in increased pressure transmission distance, while increase in heterogeneity relates negatively to pressure transmission; when the overall porous flow of a reservoir was low, the positive effect of increased porous flow on pressure transmission outweighs the negative effect of increased heterogeneity; as the porous flow at the production terminal increased, the none-flowing area became smaller and correspondingly, the flowing area became larger, thereby leading to an increased ratio of quasi-linear porous-flow area that facilitated a better fluid flow.

Key words: heterogeneity, low-permeability, plate model, porous-flow characteristics, pressure gradient