scholarly journals Integrated Workflow of Geomechanics, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Reservoir Simulation for Production Estimation of a Shale Gas Reservoir

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Taeyeob Lee ◽  
Daein Jeong ◽  
Youngseok So ◽  
Daejin Park ◽  
Munseok Baek ◽  
...  

In this research, an integrated workflow from geomechanics to reservoir simulation is suggested to accurately estimate performances of a shale gas reservoir. Rather than manipulating values of hydraulic fracturing such as fracture geometry and transmissibility, the workflow tries to update model parameters to derive reliable hydraulic fracturing results. A mechanical earth model (MEM) is built from seismic attribute and drilling and diagnostic fracture injection test results. Then, the MEM is calibrated with microseismic measurements obtained in a field. Leakoff coefficient and horizontal stress anisotropy are sensitive parameters of the MEM that influence the propagation of the fracture network and gas productions. Various combinations of calibration parameters from a single-well simulation are evaluated. Then, an appropriate combination is chosen from the whole simulation results of a pad to reduce the uncertainty. Finally, production estimations of the four wells which have slightly different fracture design are compared with seven-year production history. Their results are reasonably matched with actual data having 8% of global error due to successful development of the reservoir model with geomechanical parameters.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingjun Chen ◽  
Peisong Li ◽  
Yili Kang ◽  
Xinping Gao ◽  
Dongsheng Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract The low flowback efficiency of fracturing fluid would severely increase water saturation in a near-fracture formation and limit gas transport capacity in the matrix of a shale gas reservoir. Formation heat treatment (FHT) is a state-of-the-art technology to prevent water blocking induced by fracturing fluid retention and accelerate gas desorption and diffusion in the matrix. A comprehensive understanding of its formation damage removal mechanisms and determination of production improvement is conducive to enhancing shale gas recovery. In this research, the FHT simulation experiment was launched to investigate the effect of FHT on gas transport capacity, the multi-field coupling model was established to determine the effective depth of FHT, and the numerical simulation model of the shale reservoir was established to analyze the feasibility of FHT. Experimental results show that the shale permeability and porosity were rising overall during the FHT, the L-1 permeability increased by 30- 40 times, the L-2 permeability increased by more than 100 times. The Langmuir pressure increased by 1.68 times and the Langmuir volume decreased by 26%, which means the methane desorption efficiency increased. Results of the simulation demonstrate that the FHT process can practically improve the effect of hydraulic fracturing and significantly increase the well production capacity. The stimulation mechanisms of the FHT include thermal stress cracking, organic matter structure changing, and aqueous phase removal. Furthermore, the special characteristics of the supercritical water such as the strong oxidation, can not be ignored, due to the FHT can assist the retained hydraulic fracturing fluid to reach the critical temperature and pressure of water and transform to the supercritical state. The FHT can not only alleviate the formation damage induced by the fracturing fluid, but also make good use of the retained fracturing fluid to enhance the permeability of a shale gas reservoir, which is an innovative method to dramatically enhance gas transport capacity in shale matrix.


Author(s):  
Yingzhong Yuan ◽  
Wende Yan ◽  
Fengbo Chen ◽  
Jiqiang Li ◽  
Qianhua Xiao ◽  
...  

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.


Geofluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ming Yue ◽  
Xiaohe Huang ◽  
Fanmin He ◽  
Lianzhi Yang ◽  
Weiyao Zhu ◽  
...  

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.


2012 ◽  
Vol 524-527 ◽  
pp. 1532-1536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Jun Wu ◽  
Li Cai Liu ◽  
Guo Hua Zhao ◽  
Xiao San Chu

The reserves of Chinese shale gas is very rich, but still haven’t ever formed a mature technology. According to Chinese shale gas reservoir characteristics, the development technology situation and the principle of high energy gas fracturing, the research and exploration of HEGF stimulation integrated technology which is suitable for the development of Chinese shale gas reservoir need to be carried out. Through a series of analysis and study, compositing high energy gas fracturing technology achievements, this paper discusses the research idea and feasibility of the integrated technology, formed by the liquid gunpowder fracturing technology, in-fracture deeply explosive fracturing technology in low permeability oil layers, composite perforating technology, the multi-pulse fracturing technology and the hydraulic fracturing, simultaneous fracturing ,which transforms shale gas reservoir and develops shale gas. Launching field application test is suggested, and studying the way to optimize the theory and design method of integrated technology, so as to promote the development of shale gas.


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