Coupled Hydro-Mechanical Analysis of Gas Production in Fractured Shale Reservoir by Random Fracture Network Modeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 1950031
Author(s):  
Rui Yang ◽  
Tianran Ma ◽  
Weiqun Liu ◽  
Yijiao Fang ◽  
Luyi Xing
Keyword(s):  
Network Model ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Secondary Fracture ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Main Fracture ◽  
Shale Reservoir ◽  
Random Fracture

Accurate construction of a shale-reservoir fracture network is a prerequisite for optimizing the fracturing methods and determining shale-gas extraction schemes. Considering the influence of geological conditions, stress levels, desorption–adsorption, and fissure characteristics and distribution, establishing a shale-gas reservoir fracture-network model based on a random fracture network is significant. According to the discrete network model and Monte Carlo stochastic theory, the random fracture network of natural and artificial fractures in a shale-gas reservoir stimulation zone was constructed in this study. The porosity and permeability of the stimulation zone were calculated according to the network geometric properties. The fracture network was reconstructed, and the fissure connectivity was characterized. Numerical simulation of the seepage flow was performed for shale-gas reservoirs with different fracking-fracture combinations. The results showed that the local permeability dominated by the main fracture was the main factor that affected the initial shale-gas production efficiency. The total shale-gas productivity was mainly controlled by the effective stimulated volume. The evenly distributed secondary fracture network could effectively improve the effective stimulated volume of the stimulation zone. A 4% increase in the effective stimulated volume could improve the accumulated gas production by approximately 12%. Moreover, when the ratio of the main fracture to the secondary fracture was approximately 1:14, the accumulated gas production was optimized.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Influence of Different Fracture Network Structures on the Production of Shale Gas Reservoirs

Geofluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ming Yue ◽  
Xiaohe Huang ◽  
Fanmin He ◽  
Lianzhi Yang ◽  
Weiyao Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Gas Reservoirs ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Gas Seepage

Volume fracturing is a key technology in developing unconventional gas reservoirs that contain nano/micron pores. Different fracture structures exert significantly different effects on shale gas production, and a fracture structure can be learned only in a later part of detection. On the basis of a multiscale gas seepage model considering diffusion, slippage, and desorption effects, a three-dimensional finite element algorithm is developed. Two finite element models for different fracture structures for a shale gas reservoir in the Sichuan Basin are established and studied under the condition of equal fracture volumes. One is a tree-like fracture, and the other is a lattice-like fracture. Their effects on the production of a fracture network structure are studied. Numerical results show that under the same condition of equal volumes, the production of the tree-like fracture is higher than that of the lattice-like fracture in the early development period because the angle between fracture branches and the flow direction plays an important role in the seepage of shale gas. In the middle and later periods, owing to a low flow rate, the production of the two structures is nearly similar. Finally, the lattice-like fracture model is regarded as an example to analyze the factors of shale properties that influence shale gas production. The analysis shows that gas production increases along with the diffusion coefficient and matrix permeability. The increase in permeability leads to a larger increase in production, but the decrease in permeability leads to a smaller decrease in production, indicating that the contribution of shale gas production is mainly fracture. The findings of this study can help better understand the influence of different shapes of fractures on the production in a shale gas reservoir.

scholarly journals A Two-Phase Flowback Model for Multiscale Diffusion and Flow in Fractured Shale Gas Reservoirs

Geofluids ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimin Wang ◽  
J. G. Wang ◽  
Feng Gao ◽  
Xiaolin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Fractured Zone ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Diffusion Mechanisms

A shale gas reservoir is usually hydraulically fractured to enhance its gas production. When the injection of water-based fracturing fluid is stopped, a two-phase flowback is observed at the wellbore of the shale gas reservoir. So far, how this water production affects the long-term gas recovery of this fractured shale gas reservoir has not been clear. In this paper, a two-phase flowback model is developed with multiscale diffusion mechanisms. First, a fractured gas reservoir is divided into three zones: naturally fractured zone or matrix (zone 1), stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) or fractured zone (zone 2), and hydraulic fractures (zone 3). Second, a dual-porosity model is applied to zones 1 and 2, and the macroscale two-phase flow flowback is formulated in the fracture network in zones 2 and 3. Third, the gas exchange between fractures (fracture network) and matrix in zones 1 and 2 is described by a diffusion process. The interactions between microscale gas diffusion in matrix and macroscale flow in fracture network are incorporated in zones 1 and 2. This model is validated by two sets of field data. Finally, parametric study is conducted to explore key parameters which affect the short-term and long-term gas productions. It is found that the two-phase flowback and the flow consistency between matrix and fracture network have significant influences on cumulative gas production. The multiscale diffusion mechanisms in different zones should be carefully considered in the flowback model.

Numerical Simulation for Shale Gas Flow in Complex Fracture System of Fractured Horizontal Well

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 367-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingzhong Yuan ◽  
Wende Yan ◽  
Fengbo Chen ◽  
Jiqiang Li ◽  
Qianhua Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Horizontal Well ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Complex Fracture ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Fracture Parameters ◽  
Fracture Systems ◽  
Fractured Horizontal Well

AbstractComplex fracture systems including natural fractures and hydraulic fractures exist in shale gas reservoir with fractured horizontal well development. The flow of shale gas is a multi-scale flow process from microscopic nanometer pores to macroscopic large fractures. Due to the complexity of seepage mechanism and fracture parameters, it is difficult to realize fine numerical simulation for fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs. Mechanisms of adsorption–desorption on the surface of shale pores, slippage and Knudsen diffusion in the nanometer pores, Darcy and non-Darcy seepage in the matrix block and fractures are considered comprehensively in this paper. Through fine description of the complex fracture systems after horizontal well fracturing in shale gas reservoir, the problems of conventional corner point grids which are inflexible, directional, difficult to geometrically discretize arbitrarily oriented fractures are overcome. Discrete fracture network model based on unstructured perpendicular bisection grids is built in the numerical simulation. The results indicate that the discrete fracture network model can accurately describe fracture parameters including length, azimuth and density, and that the influences of fracture parameters on development effect of fractured horizontal well can be finely simulated. Cumulative production rate of shale gas is positively related to fracture half-length, fracture segments and fracture conductivity. When total fracture length is constant, fracturing effect is better if single fracture half-length or penetration ratio is relatively large and fracturing segments are moderate. Research results provide theoretical support for optimal design of fractured horizontal well in shale gas reservoir.

Investigation of CO2–CH4 Displacement and Transport in Shale for Enhanced Shale Gas Recovery and CO2 Sequestration

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi-Dong Du ◽  
Min Gu ◽  
Shuo Duan ◽  
Xue-Fu Xian
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Co2 Storage ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
Co2 Injection ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Co2 Gas ◽  
Gas Recovery ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Shale Reservoir ◽  
Adsorption Amount

To gain a better understanding of the enhanced shale gas recovery by CO2 gas injection (CO2-ESGR) technique, the dynamic displacement mechanism of CO2–CH4, the CO2 enhanced shale gas recovery (RCH4), and CO2 storage capacity (VCO2) were studied based on transport properties of CO2 and CH4. Experiments of CO2 injection into shale gas reservoir preadsorbed by CH4 were performed in a fixed bed. Breakthrough curves were obtained under different test conditions and simulated by one-dimension advection-dispersion (AD) model. It was found that dispersion coefficient (K1) rather than molecular diffusivity of CO2 dominated its transport in shale. K1 together with advection velocity (υ) of CO2 during CH4 displacement controls RCH4 and VCO2. When transporting in shale gas reservoir, CO2 had larger dynamic adsorption amount and υ, but smaller K1 than CH4. The competitive transport and adsorption behavior of CO2 and CH4 made it possible for CO2 to store in shale reservoir and to drive the in-place CH4 out of shale reservoir. The transfer zone of CO2–CH4 displacement (CCD) was very wide. High RCH4 and VCO2 were reached at low injection CO2 gas pressure and for small shale particles. Higher injection flow rates of CO2 and temperatures ranging from 298 K to 338 K had a little effect on RCH4 and VCO2. For field conditions, high CO2 injection pressure has to be used because the pore pressure of shale reservoir and adsorption amount of CH4 increase with the increase in depth of shale gas reservoir, but RCH4 is still not high.

scholarly journals What Factors Control Shale-Gas Production and Production-Decline Trend in Fractured Systems: A Comprehensive Analysis and Investigation

SPE Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (02) ◽  
pp. 562-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
HanYi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Reservoir Model ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Gas Well ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir ◽  
Decline Curve ◽  
Realistic Prediction

Summary One of the most-significant practical problems with the optimization of shale-gas-stimulation design is estimating post-fracture production rate, production decline, and ultimate recovery. Without a realistic prediction of the production-decline trend resulting from a given completion and given reservoir properties, it is impossible to evaluate the economic viability of producing natural gas from shale plays. Traditionally, decline-curve analysis (DCA) is commonly used to predict gas production and its decline trend to determine the estimated ultimate recovery (EUR), but its analysis cannot be used to analyze which factors influence the production-decline trend because of a lack of the underlying support of physics, which makes it difficult to guide completion designs or optimize field development. This study presents a unified shale-gas-reservoir model, which incorporates real-gas transport, nanoflow mechanisms, and geomechanics into a fractured-shale system. This model is used to predict shale-gas production under different reservoir scenarios and investigate which factors control its decline trend. The results and analysis presented in the article provide us with a better understanding of gas production and decline mechanisms in a shale-gas well with certain conditions of the reservoir characteristics. More-in-depth knowledge regarding the effects of factors controlling the behavior of the gas production can help us develop more-reliable models to forecast shale-gas-decline trend and ultimate recovery. This article also reveals that some commonly held beliefs may sound reasonable to infer the production-decline trend, but may not be true in a coupled reservoir system in reality.

scholarly journals Development Evaluation and Optimization of Deep Shale Gas Reservoir with Horizontal Wells Based on Production Data

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Wuguang Li ◽  
Hong Yue ◽  
Yongpeng Sun ◽  
Yu Guo ◽  
Tianpeng Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shale Gas ◽  
Production System ◽  
Target Position ◽  
Horizontal Wells ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Well Performance ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Horizontal Section ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Shale Gas Reservoir

The implementation of horizontal wells is a key to economic development of the deep shale gas reservoir. In order to optimize the key parameters for drilling, stimulation, and the production system, the development effect of a horizontal well in deep shale gas formations was investigated from various aspects in this study. The drilling, fracturing, and production performances of this well were analyzed combining with the geological characteristics. The main technical problems and key factors that restrict the gas well performance and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) were clarified. Through the integrated study of geology and engineering, the optimization strategies for increasing gas production and EUR are provided. The Z2 area, where the Z2-H1 well is located, has good reservoir physical properties, which bring a high drilling efficiency. However, there are still some problems during its development, such as poor fracture extension both horizontally and vertically, limited stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), rapid production declining, large water production, and serious liquid accumulation. In this study, a comprehensive approach was proposed that can improve single-well production and EUR by optimizing the target position, horizontal section length, pathway, spacing, new drilling and fracturing technology, and production system.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document