Quantitative study in shale gas behaviors using a coupled triple-continuum and discrete fracture model

Shiming Wei, Yang Xia, Yan Jin, Mian Chen, Kangping Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The shale has ultra-low permeability wherein multi-scale natural fractures are well-developed. The success of providing high diversion channels makes multi-stage fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs) become the powerful technique for economically producing gas from shale. This study presents a triple-continuum and discrete fracture model to describe a fractured shale reservoir embedded with a MFHW. The model incorporates non-equilibrium desorption/adsorption mechanism (NEDAM), viscous flow, Knudsen diffusion, and surface diffusion. The discrete fracture networks (DFNs) is quantitatively constructed according to the fracture density and stimulated reservoir area (SRA). This model is used to analyze the temporal/spatial evolution of the gas pressure and the net desorption rate. NEDAM is compared with the conventional equilibrium desorption mechanism (EDM) and it's found that NEDAM uncovers the delayed phenomenon during gas desorption, and the use of EDM overestimates the production contributed from the adsorbed gas. The maximum net desorption rate of adsorbed gas gradually spread from the SRA region to the non-SRA region. The complete flow stages are clearly interpreted in a semi-logarithmic curve of well testing, and the flow stage controlled by the hydraulic fractures is clearly presented. Finally, the instructions on hydraulic fracturing treatment are given based on the production analysis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)49-69
Number of pages21
JournalJournal of Petroleum Science and Engineering
Volume174
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019

Keywords

  • Gas behavior
  • Hydraulic fracture network
  • Non-equilibrium desorption/adsorption mechanism
  • Shale gas

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Fuel Technology
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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