Effect of Geological Heterogeneity on the Production Performance of a Multifractured Horizontal Well in Tight Gas Reservoirs

Yue Peng,Tao Li,Yongjie Han,Bailu Teng,Dan Wu,Yuxue Zhang,Zhongwei Wu

doi:10.2113/2021/4336062

Yue Peng, Tao Li + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2113/2021/4336062

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Abstract

AbstractMultifractured horizontal wells are widely used in the development of tight gas reservoirs to improve the gas production and the ultimate reservoir recovery. Based on the heterogeneity characteristics of the tight gas reservoir, the homogeneous scheme and four typical heterogeneous schemes were established to simulate the production of a multifractured horizontal well. The seepage characteristics and production performance of different schemes were compared and analyzed in detail by the analysis of streamline distribution, pressure distribution, and production data. In addition, the effects of reservoir permeability level, length of horizontal well, and fracture half-length on the gas reservoir recovery were discussed. Results show that the reservoir permeability of the unfractured areas, which are located at both ends of the multifractured horizontal well, determines the seepage ability of the reservoir matrix, showing a significant impact on the long-term gas production. High reservoir permeability level, long horizontal well length, and long fracture half-length can mitigate the negative influence of heterogeneity on the gas production. Our research can provide some guidance for the layout of multifractured horizontal wells and fracturing design in heterogeneous tight gas reservoirs.

Highlights

At present, hydraulic fracturing and horizontal well technologies, which are conducive to improving the well production and the ultimate recovery, are widely used in the development of unconventional low-permeable oil and gas reservoirs [1,2,3,4]
The reservoir permeability of the unfractured areas determines the seepage ability of the reservoir matrix, which shows a great impact on the long-term production performance of the gas well
(1) Based on the heterogeneity characteristics of the tight gas reservoir, the homogeneous scheme and four typical heterogeneous schemes were established to simulate the production of a multifractured horizontal well

Summary

Introduction

Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal well technologies, which are conducive to improving the well production and the ultimate recovery, are widely used in the development of unconventional low-permeable oil and gas reservoirs [1,2,3,4]. The boundary element method, source functions, and Green’s solution were used to develop a new method to study multifractured horizontal well production in heterogeneous gas reservoirs [18]. Olorode et al [22] developed a new method to describe the complex fracture patterns Based on their model, the production of an unconventional gas well was simulated. Pressure field diagrams and streamline field distribution diagrams at different times were used for analysis He et al [25] proposed a comprehensive optimization strategy for every single multifractured horizontal well in heterogeneous tight gas reservoirs. Based on the homogeneous scheme and four types of typical heterogeneous schemes, we discussed the effects of reservoir permeability level, length of horizontal well, and fracture half-length on the gas reservoir recovery in detail. Our research can provide some guidance for the layout of multifractured horizontal wells and fracturing design in heterogeneous tight gas reservoirs

Heterogeneity Characteristics and Model Parameters

Basic Simulation Schemes

Results and Discussion

Conclusions