Semianalytical Production Simulation of Complex Hydraulic-Fracture Networks

Authors
Wentao Zhou (Schlumberger) | Raj Banerjee (Schlumberger) | Bobby D. Poe (Schlumberger) | Jeff Spath (Schlumberger) | Michael Thambynayagam (Schlumberger)
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/157367-PA
Document ID
SPE-157367-PA
Publisher
Society of Petroleum Engineers
Source
SPE Journal
Volume
19
Issue
01
Publication Date
February 2014
Document Type
Journal Paper
Pages
6 - 18
Language
English
ISSN
1086-055X
Copyright
2013. Society of Petroleum Engineers
Disciplines
1.6 Drilling Operations, 2.5.4 Multistage Fracturing, 3.2.3 Hydraulic Fracturing Design, Implementation and Optimisation
Downloads
18 in the last 30 days
946 since 2007
Show more detail
SPE Member Price: USD 10.00
SPE Non-Member Price: USD 30.00
View rights & permissions

Summary

The application of horizontal-well drilling and multistage fracturing hasbecome a norm in the industry to develop unconventional resources fromultratight formations. A complex fracture network generated in the presence ofstress isotropy and pre-existing natural fractures immensely extends reservoircontact and improves hydrocarbon production.

A semianalytical method is presented in this paper to simulate theproduction from such a complex fracture network. This method combines ananalytical reservoir solution with a numerical solution on discretized fracturepanels. The mathematics is briefly introduced. Numerous case studies arepresented, from a simple planar fracture to a real-field example from theBarnett shale. Production behavior and the key flow regimes are discussed.

With its simplicity, yet capturing the physics of the transient productionperformance, this approach provides an accessible tool for people from multipledisciplines in unconventional-resource development to rapidly evaluatetreated-well productivity and stimulation effectiveness.

File Size   2 MBNumber of Pages   13

References

Ajayi, B., Walker, K., Wutherich, K. et al. 2011. Channel HydraulicFracturing and Its Applicability in the Marcellus Shale. Paper SPE 149426presented at the SPE Eastern Regional Meeting, Columbus, Ohio, USA, 17-19August. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/149426-MS.

Bellman, R.E. 1961. A Brief Introduction to Theta Functions. NewYork: Holt, Reinhart, and Winston.

Chacon, A., Djebrouni, A., and Tiab, D. 2004. Determining the AverageReservoir Pressure from Vertical and Horizontal Well Test Analysis Using theTechnique. Paper SPE 88619 presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and GasConference and Exhibition, Perth, Australia, 18-20 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/88619-MS.

Chen, C.C. and Raghavan, R. 1997. A Multiply-Fractured Horizontal Well in aRectangular Drainage Region. SPE J.  2 (4): 455-465. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/37072-PA.

Cherian, B.V., Stacey, E.S., Bressler, S. et al. 2012. Evaluating HorizontalWell Completion Effectiveness in a Field Development Program. Paper SPE 152177presented at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference, The Woodlands,Texas, 6-8 February. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/152177-MS.

Cinco-Ley, H. and Samaniego, V.F. 1981. Transient-Pressure Analysis forFractured Wells. SPE J.  33 (9): 1749-1766. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/7490-PA.

Cipolla, C.L., Fitzpatrick, T., Williams, M.J. et al. 2011.Seismic-to-Simulation for Unconventional Reservoir Development. Paper SPE146876 presented at the SPE Reservoir Characterization and SimulationConference and Exhibition, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 9-11 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/146876-MS.

Cipolla, C.L., Lolon, E.P., Erdle, J.C. et al. 2009a. Modeling WellPerformance in Shale-Gas Reservoirs. Paper SPE 125532 presented at the 2009SPE/EAGE Reservoir Characterization and Simulation Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE,19-21 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/125532-MS.

Cipolla, C.L., Lolon, E.P., and Mayerhofer, M.J. 2009b. Reservoir Modelingand Production Evaluation in Shale Gas Reservoirs. Paper IPTC 13185 presentedat the International Petroleum Technology Conference, Doha, Qatar, 7-9December. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/13185-MS.

Du, C., Zhan, L., Li, J. et al. 2011. Generalization of Dual-Porosity-SystemRepresentation and Reservoir Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing-StimulatedShale Gas Reservoirs. Paper SPE 146534 presented at the SPE Annual TechnicalConference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, 30 October-2 November. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/146534-MS.

Du, C., Zhang, X., Melton, B. et al. 2009. A Workflow for Integrated BarnettShale Gas Reservoir Modeling and Simulation. Paper SPE 122934 presented at theLatin American and Caribbean Petroleum Engineering Conference, Cartagena deIndias, Colombia, 31 May-3 June. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/122934-MS.

Du, C., Zhang, X., Zhan, L. et al. 2010. A Practical Approach: Estimation ofHydraulic Fracturing Induced Fracture Network in Shale gas Reservoir. Paper SPE132180 presented at the International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition inChina, Beijing, China, 8-10 June. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/132180-MS.

Fan, L., Thompson, J.W., and Robinson, J.R. et al. 2010. Understanding GasProduction Mechanism and Effectiveness of Well Stimulation in the HaynesvilleShale Through Reservoir Simulation. Paper SPE 136696 presented at the CanadianUnconventional Resources and International Petroleum Conference, Calgary,Alberta, Canada, 19-21 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/136696-MS.

Fisher, M.K., Heinze, J.R., Harris, C.D. et al. 2004. Optimizing HorizontalCompletion Techniques in the Barnett Shale Using Microseismic Fracture Mapping.SPE paper 90051 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference andExhibition, Houston, Texas, 26-29 September. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/90051-MS.

Frantz, J.H. Jr., Williamson, J.R., Sawyer, W.K. et al. 2005. EvaluatingBarnett Shale Production Performance-Using an Integrated Approach. Paper SPE96917 presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas,Texas, 9-12 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/96917-MS.

Gringarten, A.C. and Ramey, H.J. Jr. 1973. The Use of Source and Green'sFunctions in Solving Unsteady-Flow Problems in Reservoirs. SPE J. 13 (5): 285-296. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/3818-PA.  

Gringarten, A.C., Ramey, H.J. Jr., and Raghavan, R. 1972. Unsteady-StatePressure Distribution Created by a Well With a Single Infinite-ConductivityVertical Fracture. SPE J.  14 (4): 347-360. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/4051-PA.

Guppy, K.H., Cinco-Ley, H., Ramey, H.J. Jr. et al. 1982. Non-Darcy Flow inWells With Finite Conductivity Vertical Fractures. SPE J.  22(5): 681-698. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/8281-PA.

Khan, W.A., Rehman, S.A., Akram, A.H. et al. 2011. Factors AffectingProduction Behavior in Tight-Gas Reservoirs. Paper SPE 149045 presented at theSPE/DGS Saudi Arabia Section Technical Symposium and Exhibition, Al-Khobar,Saudi Arabia, 15-18 May. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/149045-MS.

Li, J., Du, C.M., and Zhang, X. 2011. Critical Evaluations of Shale GasReservoir Simulation Approaches: Single Porosity and Dual Porosity Modeling.Paper SPE 141756 presented at the SPE Middle East Unconventional Gas Conferenceand Exhibition, Muscat, Oman, 31 January-2 February. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/141756-MS.

Mirzaei, M. and Cipolla, C.L. 2012. A Workflow for Modeling and Simulationof Hydraulic Fractures in Unconventional Gas Reservoirs. Paper SPE 153022presented at the SPE Middle East Unconventional Gas Conference and Exhibition,Abu Dhabi, UAE, 23-25 January. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/153022-MS.

Panjaitan, M.L., Cherian, B.V., Mata, D. et al. 2011. A Study of CompletionEffectiveness in the Williston Basin. Paper SPE 142388 presented at the SPEProduction and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 27-29 March. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/142388-MS.

Poe, B.D. Jr., Conger, J.G., Farkas, R. et al. 1999. Advanced Fractured WellDiagnostics for Production Data Analysis. Paper SPE 56750 presented at the SPEAnnual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, Texas, 3-6 October. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/56750-MS.

Poston, S.W. and Poe, B.D. Jr. 2008. Analysis of Production DeclineCurves. Richardson, Texas: SPE.

Thambynayagam, R.M.K. 2011. The Diffusion Handbook: Applied Solutions forEngineers. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional.

Weng, X., Kresse, O., Cohen, C. et al. 2011. Modeling ofHydraulic-Fracture-Network Propagation in a Naturally Fractured Formation.SPE Prod & Oper  26 (4): 368-380. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/140253-PA.

Xu, W., Thiercelin, M., Ganguly, U. et al. 2010. Wiremesh: A Novel ShaleFracturing Simulator. Paper SPE 132218 presented at the International Oil andGas Conference and Exhibition in China, Beijing, China, 8-10 June. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/132218-MS.