Production rates and EUR forecasts for interfering parent-parent wells and parent-child wells: Fast analytical solutions and validation with numerical reservoir simulators

Abstract

Analytical expressions are given to forecast the production decline and estimated ultimate reserves (EUR) for pairs of both parent-parent wells and parent-child wells. The forecasts use physics-based flow rate quantification in elementary flow cells between hydraulic fractures sets. The intrinsic rate in the flow cells for a given shale formation can be obtained and scaled by a type curve specific for its completion and reservoir parameters. The model then can predict how changes in fracture treatment design parameters will affect the performance of new wells in the same target zone. The effect of well down-spacing and the onset of pressure interference on the performance of parent-parent wells can be forecasted with reasonable accuracy. Similarly, the equations can also predict the effect of infill drilling of child wells on the performance of both well types. The method is applied to real world examples from Eagle Ford acreage. The fast analytical model forecasts are benchmarked against the results from an independent numerical reservoir simulator, with satisfactory matches. The validated approach aims to provide a practical analytical tool for the production forecasting of multi-wells in shale formations.