Pressure Transient Characteristics of Hydraulically Fractured Horizontal Shale Gas Wells

Abstract

Abstract Shale gas wells require a long horizontal lateral intersecting multiple hydraulic fractures to be economically viable. Because of the nature of ultralow permeability of shale matrix, it would take a significant long period of time for a well producing in transient flow regimes. Therefore, pressure transient characteristics for such a gas well is of considerable importance in both evaluation of fracturing treatment by estimating fracture and reservoir parameters and prediction of the long-term production behavior of wells in gas recovery. The pressure transient response for a horizontal shale gas well with multiple transverse fractures is controlled by a specific combination of reservoir properties and well configuration. Focused on Marcellus shales, this paper investigates the characteristics of pressure transient response under a number of factors and flow mechanisms. The factors that are considered include matrix permeability, conductivity of hydraulic fractures, cluster spacing, and size/enhanced permeability of stimulated zone. The impacts of gas desorption and stress-dependent fracture conductivity on pressure transient behavior are also illustrated. This study provides insights into the pressure transient characteristics during shale gas well production.