The Calculation of Apparent Permeability for Shale Gas Considering Adsorption and Flow Patterns

2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 2305-2309
Author(s):  
Wen Xu She ◽  
Jun Bin Chen ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Bo Wei ◽  
Han Qing Wang ◽  
...  

The flow pattern is unique in a certain range of pore size divided by the Knudsen number. In order to characterize permeability of nanopore in shale gas reservoir more accurately, the formulas of nanopore permeability are put forward considering the influence of adsorption gas and flow patterns. After the calculated results were compared and analyzed, the conclusions are obtained as follows: (1) Pore size is the main factor to determine the flow pattern; (2) There are three main flow pattern in the nanopore of Longmaxi formation shale reservoirs, slip flow, Fick diffusion and transition diffusion, meanwhile Darcy percolation and Knudsen diffusion do not exist; (3) Flow pattern has great influence on apparent permeability and adsorption has a greater impact in a high pressure condition (greater than 20MPa).

Geofluids ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Rui Shen ◽  
Zhiming Hu ◽  
Xianggang Duan ◽  
Wei Sun ◽  
Wei Xiong ◽  
...  

Shale gas reservoirs have pores of various sizes, in which gas flows in different patterns. The coexistence of multiple gas flow patterns is common. In order to quantitatively characterize the flow pattern in the process of shale gas depletion development, a physical simulation experiment of shale gas depletion development was designed, and a high-pressure on-line NMR analysis method of gas flow pattern in this process was proposed. The signal amplitudes of methane in pores of various sizes at different pressure levels were calculated according to the conversion relationship between the NMR T 2 relaxation time and pore radius, and then, the flow patterns of methane in pores of various sizes under different pore pressure conditions were analyzed as per the flow pattern determination criteria. It is found that there are three flow patterns in the process of shale gas depletion development, i.e., continuous medium flow, slip flow, and transitional flow, which account for 73.5%, 25.8%, and 0.7% of total gas flow, respectively. When the pore pressure is high, the continuous medium flow is dominant. With the gas production in shale reservoir, the pore pressure decreases, the Knudsen number increases, and the pore size range of slip flow zone and transitional flow zone expands. When the reservoir pressure is higher than the critical desorption pressure, the adsorbed gas is not desorbed intensively, and the produced gas is mainly free gas. When the reservoir pressure is lower than the critical desorption pressure, the adsorbed gas is gradually desorbed, and the proportion of desorbed gas in the produced gas gradually increases.


Fractals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (01) ◽  
pp. 2050017 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAO WU ◽  
SHIFANG WANG

A better comprehension of the behavior of shale gas transport in shale gas reservoirs will aid in predicting shale gas production rates. In this paper, an analytical apparent permeability expression for real gas is derived on the basis of the fractal theory and Fick’s law, with adequate consideration of the effects of Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion and flexible pore shape. The gas apparent permeability model is found to be a function of microstructural parameters of shale reservoirs, gas property, Langmuir pressure, shale reservoir temperature and pressure. The results show that the apparent permeability increases with the increase of pore area fractal dimension and the maximum effective pore radius and decreases with an increase of the tortuosity fractal dimension; the effects of Knudsen diffusion and surface diffusion on the total apparent permeability cannot be ignored under high-temperature and low-pressure circumstances. These findings can contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of gas transport in shale reservoirs.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 3381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Wang ◽  
Yongquan Hu ◽  
Jinzhou Zhao ◽  
Lan Ren ◽  
Chaoneng Zhao ◽  
...  

Based on fractal geometry theory, the Hagen–Poiseuille law, and the Langmuir adsorption law, this paper established a mathematical model of gas flow in nano-pores of shale, and deduced a new shale apparent permeability model. This model considers such flow mechanisms as pore size distribution, tortuosity, slippage effect, Knudsen diffusion, and surface extension of shale matrix. This model is closely related to the pore structure and size parameters of shale, and can better reflect the distribution characteristics of nano-pores in shale. The correctness of the model is verified by comparison with the classical experimental data. Finally, the influences of pressure, temperature, integral shape dimension of pore surface and tortuous fractal dimension on apparent permeability, slip flow, Knudsen diffusion and surface diffusion of shale gas transport mechanism on shale gas transport capacity are analyzed, and gas transport behaviors and rules in multi-scale shale pores are revealed. The proposed model is conducive to a more profound and clear understanding of the flow mechanism of shale gas nanopores.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuelei Feng ◽  
Fengshan Ma ◽  
Haijun Zhao ◽  
Gang Liu ◽  
Jie Guo

Gas flow mechanisms and apparent permeability are important factors for predicating gas production in shale reservoirs. In this study, an apparent permeability model for describing gas multiple flow mechanisms in nanopores is developed and incorporated into the COMSOL solver. In addition, a dynamic permeability equation is proposed to analyze the effects of matrix shrinkage and stress sensitivity. The results indicate that pore size enlargement increases gas seepage capacity of a shale reservoir. Compared to conventional reservoirs, the ratio of apparent permeability to Darcy permeability is higher by about 1–2 orders of magnitude in small pores (1–10 nm) and at low pressures (0–5 MPa) due to multiple flow mechanisms. Flow mechanisms mainly include surface diffusion, Knudsen diffusion, and skip flow. Its weight is affected by pore size, reservoir pressure, and temperature, especially pore size ranging from 1 nm to 5 nm and reservoir pressures below 5 MPa. The combined effects of matrix shrinkage and stress sensitivity induce nanopores closure. Therefore, permeability declines about 1 order of magnitude compare to initial apparent permeability. The results also show that permeability should be adjusted during gas production to ensure a better accuracy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 219
Author(s):  
Jing Zeng ◽  
Alexey Stovas ◽  
Handong Huang ◽  
Lixia Ren ◽  
Tianlei Tang

Paleozoic marine shale gas resources in Southern China present broad prospects for exploration and development. However, previous research has mostly focused on the shale in the Sichuan Basin. The research target of this study is expanded to the Lower Silurian Longmaxi shale outside the Sichuan Basin. A prediction scheme of shale gas reservoirs through the frequency-dependent seismic attribute technology is developed to reduce drilling risks of shale gas related to complex geological structure and low exploration level. Extracting frequency-dependent seismic attribute is inseparable from spectral decomposition technology, whereby the matching pursuit algorithm is commonly used. However, frequency interference in MP results in an erroneous time-frequency (TF) spectrum and affects the accuracy of seismic attribute. Firstly, a novel spectral decomposition technology is proposed to minimize the effect of frequency interference by integrating the MP and the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD). Synthetic and real data tests indicate that the proposed spectral decomposition technology provides a TF spectrum with higher accuracy and resolution than traditional MP. Then, a seismic fluid mobility attribute, extracted from the post-stack seismic data through the proposed spectral decomposition technology, is applied to characterize the shale reservoirs. The application result indicates that the seismic fluid mobility attribute can describe the spatial distribution of shale gas reservoirs well without well control. Based on the seismic fluid mobility attribute section, we have learned that the shale gas enrich areas are located near the bottom of the Longmaxi Formation. The inverted velocity data are also introduced to further verify the reliability of seismic fluid mobility. Finally, the thickness map of gas-bearing shale reservoirs in the Longmaxi Formation is obtained by combining the seismic fluid mobility attribute with the inverted velocity data, and two favorable exploration areas are suggested by analyzing the thickness, structure, and burial depth. The present work can not only be used to evaluate shale gas resources in the early stage of exploration, but also help to design the landing point and trajectory of directional drilling in the development stage.


Geofluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Li ◽  
Zhilin Qi ◽  
Wende Yan ◽  
Zuping Xiang ◽  
Xiang Ao ◽  
...  

Production simulation is an important method to evaluate the stimulation effect of refracturing. Therefore, a production simulation model based on coupled fluid flow and geomechanics in triple continuum including kerogen, an inorganic matrix, and a fracture network is proposed considering the multiscale flow characteristics of shale gas, the induced stress of fracture opening, and the pore elastic effect. The complex transport mechanisms due to multiple physics, including gas adsorption/desorption, slip flow, Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, stress sensitivity, and adsorption layer are fully considered in this model. The apparent permeability is used to describe the multiple physics occurring in the matrix. The model is validated using actual production data of a horizontal shale gas well and applied to predict the production and production increase percentage (PIP) after refracturing. A sensitivity analysis is performed to study the effects of the refracturing pattern, fracture conductivity, width of stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), SRV length of new and initial fractures, and refracturing time on production and the PIP. In addition, the effects of multiple physics on the matrix permeability and production, and the geomechanical effects of matrix and fracture on production are also studied. The research shows that the refracturing design parameters have an important influence on the PIP. The geomechanical effect is an important cause of production loss, while slippage and diffusion effects in matrix can offset the production loss.


Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Chao Luo ◽  
Hun Lin ◽  
Yujiao Peng ◽  
Hai Qu ◽  
Xiaojie Huang ◽  
...  

The shale of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation is an important gas-producing layer for shale gas development in southern China. This set of shale reservoir characteristics and shale gas development potential provide an important foundation for shale gas development. This study takes wellblock XN111 in the Sichuan Basin, China, as an example and uses X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), isothermal adsorption, and other techniques to analyze the shale reservoir characteristics of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation. The results show that the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation was deposited in a deep-water shelf environment. During this period, carbonaceous shale and siliceous shale characterized by a high brittle mineral content ( quartz > 40   wt . % , carbonate   mineral > 10   wt . % ) and a low clay mineral content (<30 wt.%, mainly illite) were widely deposited throughout the region. The total organic carbon (TOC) content reaches up to 6.07 wt.%, with an average of 2.66 wt.%. The vitrinite reflectance is 1.6–2.28%, with an average of 2.05%. The methane adsorption capacity is 0.84–4.69 m3/t, with an average of 2.92 m3/t. Pores and fractures are developed in the shale reservoirs. The main reservoir space is composed of connected mesopores with an average porosity of 4.78%. The characteristics and development potential of the shale reservoirs in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation are controlled by the following factors: (1) the widespread deep-water shelf deposition in wellblock XN111 was a favorable environment for the development of high-quality shale reservoirs with a cumulative thickness of up to 50 m; (2) the high TOC content enabled the shale reservoir to have a high free gas content and a high adsorptive gas storage capacity; and (3) the shale’s high maturity or over maturity is conducive to the development of pores and fractures in the organic matter, which effectively improves the storage capacity of the shale reservoirs. The reservoir characteristic index was constructed using the high-quality shale’s thickness, gas content, TOC, fracture density, and clay content. Using production data from shale gas wells in adjacent blocks, a mathematical relationship was established between the Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) of a single well and the Reservoir Characteristics Index (Rci). The EUR of a single well in wellblock XN111 was estimated.


2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Yuan ◽  
Yongqing Wang ◽  
Zeng Shunpeng

In this study, we analyzed the flow-back resistance of slick water fracturing fluid in shale reservoirs. The flow-back resistance mainly includes capillary force, Van der Waals (VDW) force, hydrogen bond force, and hydration stress. Shale of Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation (LSLF) was used to study its wettability, hydration stress, and permeability change with time of slick water treatment. The results reveal that wettability of LSLF shale was more oil-wet before immersion, while it becomes more water-wet after immersion. The hydration stress of the shale increased with increasing immersion time. The permeability decreased first, then recovered with increasing immersion time. The major reason for permeability recovery is that the capillary effect (wettability) and the shale hydration make macrocracks extension and expansion and hydration-induced fractures formation.


Holzforschung ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Ai ◽  
Hervé Duval ◽  
Floran Pierre ◽  
Patrick Perré

Abstract A novel device was conceived and built to measure the apparent gaseous permeability of porous media over a large range of permeability values (10−10–10−18 m2) and mean pressures (from 1 bar down to ca. 40 mbar). An extensive series of experimental data are presented and analysed for various porous media: (1) Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European beech (Fagus silvatica) in the three anatomical directions, and, for comparison, (2) three simpler porous media, i.e. an autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC, light concrete) and two wood-based panels. For all porous media, the intrinsic permeability, the gas slippage factor, and the effective pore size were determined from the variations of the apparent permeability as a function of mean pressure. These results are in good agreement with those of previous studies for spruce and bring new insights for beech and wood-based materials, in general. For all products, the effective pore sizes identified with the new instrument are closely linked to the medium morphology. In particular, it was found that in spite of the huge anisotropic ratios between wood’s longitudinal and tangential directions, the identified pore size is similar and corresponds to anatomical features: openings in margo for spruce and scalariform perforation plates for beech. Besides, the pore size identified for beech in the radial direction suggests that radial permeability is most probably controlled by the openings in ray cells (either pits or intercellular voids).


SPE Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (05) ◽  
pp. 1583-1611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keliu Wu ◽  
Xiangfang Li ◽  
Chaohua Guo ◽  
Chenchen Wang ◽  
Zhangxin Chen

Summary A model for gas transfer in nanopores is the basis for accurate numerical simulation, which has important implications for economic development of shale-gas reservoirs (SGRs). The gas-transfer mechanism in SGRs is significantly different from that of conventional gas reservoirs, which is mainly caused by the nanoscale phenomena and organic matter as a medium of gas sourcing and storage. The gas-transfer mechanism includes bulk-gas transfer and adsorption-gas surface diffusion in nanopores of SGRs, where the bulk-gas-transfer mechanism includes continuous flow, slip flow, and Knudsen diffusion. First, a model for bulk-gas transfer in nanopores was established, which was dependent on slip flow and Knudsen diffusion. The total gas flux in the bulk phase is not a simple sum of slip-flow flux and Knudsen-diffusion flux but a weighted sum on the basis of corresponding contributions. The weighted factors are primarily controlled by the mutual interaction between slip flow and Knudsen diffusion, which is determined by probabilities between gas molecules colliding with each other and colliding with nanopore surface in this newly proposed model. Second, a model for adsorbed-gas surface diffusion in nanopores was established, which was modeled after the Hwang and Kammermeyer (1966) model and considered the effect of gas coverage under a high-pressure condition. Finally, with the combination of these two models, a unified model for gas transport in nanopores of SGRs was established, and this model was validated through molecular simulation and experimental data. Results show that: Slip flow makes a great contribution to gas transfer under the condition of meso/macropores (pore radius greater than 2 nm) and high pressure. Knudsen diffusion makes an important contribution to gas transfer under the condition of macropores (pore radius greater than 50 nm) and less than 1 MPa in pressure, whereas it can be ignored in other cases. A surface-diffusion coefficient is comparable with a pore-diffusion coefficient, and gas transfer is always dominated by surface diffusion over all the ranges of pressure in micropores (pore radius ≤ 2 nm). Surface-diffusion contribution decreases with an increase in pore size, isosteric sorption heat, pressure, and temperature in SGRs.


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