The oil production of the multi-fractured horizontal wells(MFHWs) declines quickly in unconventional oil reservoirs due to the fast depletion of natural energy. Gas injection has been acknowledged as an effective meth...The oil production of the multi-fractured horizontal wells(MFHWs) declines quickly in unconventional oil reservoirs due to the fast depletion of natural energy. Gas injection has been acknowledged as an effective method to improve oil recovery factor from unconventional oil reservoirs. Hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff becomes preferable when the CO_(2) source is limited. However, the impact of complex fracture networks and well interference on the EOR performance of multiple MFHWs is still unclear. The optimal gas huff-n-puff parameters are significant for enhancing oil recovery. This work aims to optimize the hydrocarbon gas injection and production parameters for multiple MFHWs with complex fracture networks in unconventional oil reservoirs. Firstly, the numerical model based on unstructured grids is developed to characterize the complex fracture networks and capture the dynamic fracture features.Secondly, the PVT phase behavior simulation was carried out to provide the fluid model for numerical simulation. Thirdly, the optimal parameters for hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff were obtained. Finally, the dominant factors of hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff under complex fracture networks are obtained by fuzzy mathematical method. Results reveal that the current pressure of hydrocarbon gas injection can achieve miscible displacement. The optimal injection and production parameters are obtained by single-factor analysis to analyze the effect of individual parameter. Gas injection time is the dominant factor of hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff in unconventional oil reservoirs with complex fracture networks. This work can offer engineers guidance for hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff of multiple MFHWs considering the complex fracture networks.展开更多
Severe well interference through complex fracture networks(CFNs)can be observed among multi-well pads in low permeability reservoirs.The well interference analysis between multi-fractured horizontal wells(MFHWs)is vit...Severe well interference through complex fracture networks(CFNs)can be observed among multi-well pads in low permeability reservoirs.The well interference analysis between multi-fractured horizontal wells(MFHWs)is vitally important for reservoir effective development.Well interference has been historically investigated by pressure transient analysis,while it has shown that rate transient analysis has great potential in well interference diagnosis.However,the impact of complex fracture networks(CFNs)on rate transient behavior of parent well and child well in unconventional reservoirs is still not clear.To further investigate,this paper develops an integrated approach combining pressure and rate transient analysis for well interference diagnosis considering CFNs.To perform multi-well simulation considering CFNs,non-intrusive embedded discrete fracture model approach was applied for coupling fracture with reservoir models.The impact of CFN including natural fractures and frac-hits on pressure and rate transient behavior in multi-well system was investigated.On a logelog plot,interference flow and compound linear flow are two new flow regimes caused by nearby producers.When both NFs and frac-hits are present in the reservoir,frac-hits have a greater impact on well#1 which contains frac-hits,and NFs have greater impact on well#3 which does not have frac-hits.For all well producing circumstances,it might be challenging to see divergence during pseudosteady state flow brought on by frac-hits on the logelog plot.Besides,when NFs occur,reservoir depletion becomes noticeable in comparison to frac-hits in pressure distribution.Application of this integrated approach demonstrates that it works well to characterize the well interference among different multi-fractured horizontal wells in a well pad.Better reservoir evaluation can be acquired based on the new features observed in the novel model,demonstrating the practicability of the proposed approach.The findings of this study can help for better evaluating well interference degree in multi-well systems combing PTA and RTA,which can reduce the uncertainty and improve the accuracy of the well interference analysis based on both field pressure and rate data.展开更多
The paper presents a novel hydraulic fracturing model for the characterization and simulation of the complex fracture network in shale gas reservoirs. We go beyond the existing method that uses planar or orthogonal co...The paper presents a novel hydraulic fracturing model for the characterization and simulation of the complex fracture network in shale gas reservoirs. We go beyond the existing method that uses planar or orthogonal conjugate fractures for representing the ＇＇complexity＇＇ of the network. Bifurcation of fractures is performed utilizing the Lindenmayer system based on fractal geometry to describe the fracture propagation pattern, density and network connectivity. Four controlling parameters are proposed to describe the details of complex fractures and stimulated reservoir volume（SRV）. The results show that due to the multilevel feature of fractal fractures, the model could provide a simple method for contributing reservoir volume calibration. The primary-and second-stage fracture networks across the overall SRV are the main contributions to the production, while the induced fracture network just contributes another 20% in the late producing period. We also conduct simulation with respect to different refracturing cases and find that increasing the complexity of the fracture network provides better performance than only enhancing the fracture conductivity.展开更多
Well interference has become a common phenomenon with the increasing scale of horizontal well fracturing.Recent studies on well interference in horizontal wells do not properly reflect the physical model of the postfr...Well interference has become a common phenomenon with the increasing scale of horizontal well fracturing.Recent studies on well interference in horizontal wells do not properly reflect the physical model of the postfracturing well groups and the realistic fracturing process of infill wells.Establishing the correspondence between well interference causative factors and manifestations is of great significance for infill well deployment and secondary oil recovery.In this work,we develop a numerical model that considers low velocity non-Darcy seepage inshale reservoirs to study the inter-well interferencephenomenon that occurs in theSantanghufield,andconstruct an explicit hydraulic fracture and complex natural fracture network model with an embedded discrete fracture model,focusing on the effect of fracture network morphology on well interactions.The model also considers a multi-segment wellbore model to accommodate the effect of inter-well crossflow on wellbore tubular flow.The changes in formation pressure and water saturation during fracturing are performed by controlling the injection pressure and water injection rate.The result shows that the shape of the fracture network generated by the infill well with the old well determines the subsequent fluid and oil-increasing performance of the disturbed well.The synergistic production or competitive relationship formed by fractures with different connectivity between the two wells determines the positive and negative effects of the interference.The paper also investigates the adaptation study of water injection huff and puff schemes for well groups with different connectivity,and demonstrated a potential yield increase of up to 10.85%under adaptation injection.This method of identifying well interference based on the production dynamics of affected wells and the subsequent corresponding water injection method provides valuable references for the selection of secondary oil recovery measures.展开更多
In this paper,a series of specific studies were carried out to investigate the complex form of fracture networks and figure out the multi-scale flowing laws of nano/micro poresecomplex fracture networks-wellbore durin...In this paper,a series of specific studies were carried out to investigate the complex form of fracture networks and figure out the multi-scale flowing laws of nano/micro poresecomplex fracture networks-wellbore during the development of shale reservoirs by means of horizontal well fracturing.First,hydraulic fractures were induced by means of Brazilian splitting tests.Second,the forms of the hydraulic fractures inside the rock samples were observed by means of X-ray CT scanning to measure the opening of hydraulic fractures.Third,based on the multi-scale unified flowing model,morphological description of fractures and gas flowing mechanism in the matrixecomplex fracture networkewellbore,the productivity equation of single-stage horizontal well fracturing which includes diffusion,slipping and desorption was established.And fourthly,a productivity prediction model of horizontal well multi-stage fracturing in the shale reservoir was established considering the interference between the multi-stage fracturing zones and the pressure drop in the horizontal wellbore.The following results were obtained.First,hydraulic fractures are in the form of a complex network.Second,the measured opening of hydraulic fractures is in the range of 4.25-453 mm,averaging 112 mm.Third,shale gas flowing in different shapes of fracture networks follows different nonlinear flowing laws.Forth,as the fracture density in the strongly stimulated zones rises and the distribution range of the hydraulic fractures in strongly/weakly stimulated zones enlarges,gas production increases gradually.As the interference occurs in the flowing zones of fracture networks between fractured sections,the increasing amplitude of gas production rates decreases.Fifth,when the length of a simulated horizontal well is 1500 m and the half length of a fracture network in the strongly stimulated zone is 100 m,the productivity effect of stage 10 fracturing is the best.Therefore,it is necessary to control fracturing degree reasonably and optimize fracturing parameters,so as to provide a theoretical support for the optimization design of shale gas reservoir fracturing.展开更多
Horizontal well and volume fracturing technology are the key technologies to develop unconventional reservoirs.Tight reservoir is belonging to multi-scale seepage mediaafter fracturing,and theflow offluid in it is extre...Horizontal well and volume fracturing technology are the key technologies to develop unconventional reservoirs.Tight reservoir is belonging to multi-scale seepage mediaafter fracturing,and theflow offluid in it is extremely complicated.In this paper,based on the boundary element method(BEM),the seepage model of horizontal wells with complex fracture networks in irregular boundary reservoir is established for thefirst time.The model takes into account the influence of irregular reservoir boundary,dual media,complex fracture network and interference of multiple wells on horizontal well seepage.Using this model,the sensitivity analysis of wellbore storage coefficient,skin factor,fracture permeability and interporosity transfer coefficient is carried out.The model expands the application scope of BEM in thefield of seepage simulation of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs and provides theoretical guidance for the development of tight oil reservoirs.展开更多
By integrating laboratory physical modeling experiments with machine learning-based analysis of dominant factors,this study explored the feasibility of pulse hydraulic fracturing(PHF)in deep coal rocks and revealed th...By integrating laboratory physical modeling experiments with machine learning-based analysis of dominant factors,this study explored the feasibility of pulse hydraulic fracturing(PHF)in deep coal rocks and revealed the fracture propagation patterns and the mechanisms of pulsating loading in the process.The results show that PHF induces fatigue damage in coal matrix,significantly reducing breakdown pressure and increasing fracture network volume.Lower vertical stress differential coefficient(less than 0.31),lower peak pressure ratio(less than 0.9),higher horizontal stress differential coefficient(greater than 0.13),higher pulse amplitude ratio(greater than or equal to 0.5)and higher pulse frequency(greater than or equal to 3 Hz)effectively decrease the breakdown pressure.Conversely,higher vertical stress differential coefficient(greater than or equal to 0.31),higher pulse amplitude ratio(greater than or equal to 0.5),lower horizontal stress differential coefficient(less than or equal to 0.13),lower peak pressure ratio(less than 0.9),and lower pulse frequency(less than 3 Hz)promote the formation of a complex fracture network.Vertical stress and peak pressure are the most critical geological and engineering parameters affecting the stimulation effectiveness of PHF.The dominant mechanism varies with coal rank due to differences in geomechanical characteristics and natural fracture development.Low-rank coal primarily exhibits matrix strength degradation.High-rank coal mainly involves the activation of natural fractures and bedding planes.Medium-rank coal shows a coexistence of matrix strength degradation and micro-fracture connectivity.The PHF forms complex fracture networks through the dual mechanism of matrix strength degradation and fracture network connectivity enhancement.展开更多
This study investigated the micro-sliding frictional behavior of shale in fracturing fluids under varying operational conditions using Chang 7 shale oil reservoir core samples.Through systematic micro-sliding friction...This study investigated the micro-sliding frictional behavior of shale in fracturing fluids under varying operational conditions using Chang 7 shale oil reservoir core samples.Through systematic micro-sliding friction experiments,the characteristics and governing mechanisms of shale friction were elucidated.Complementary analyses were conducted to characterize the mineral composition,petrophysical properties,and micromorphology of the shale samples,providing insights into the relationship between microscopic structure and frictional response.In this paper,the characteristics and variation law of shale micro-sliding friction under different types of graphite materials as additives in LGF-80(Low-damage Guar Fluid)oil flooding recoverable fracturing fluid system were mainly studied.In addition,the finite element numerical simulation experiment of hydraulic fracturing was adopted to study the influence of the friction coefficient of natural fracture surfaces on fracture propagation and formation of the fracture network.The geometric complexity of fracture networks was systematically quantified under varying frictional coefficients of natural fracture surfaces through multi-parametric characterization and morphometric analysis.The research results show that graphite micro-particles reduce friction and drag.Based on this,this paper proposes a new idea of graphite micro-particles as an additive in the LGF-80 oil flooding recoverable fracturing fluid system to reduce friction on the fracture surface.展开更多
Affected by reservoir heterogeneity,developed natural fractures,and bedding fractures,the fracturing pressure curves in fracturing of shale gas horizontal wells present complex shapes.A large amount of information con...Affected by reservoir heterogeneity,developed natural fractures,and bedding fractures,the fracturing pressure curves in fracturing of shale gas horizontal wells present complex shapes.A large amount of information contained in the fracturing curves is still not fully excavated.Based on the theory of shale gas fracture network fracturing,the calculation model of bottom hole net pressure is established by integrating the real-time data such as casing pressure,pump rate,and proppant concentration.Net pressure slope and net pressure index are constructed as key parameters,and the net pressure curve is divided dynamically to describe the mechanical conditions corresponding to the fracture propagation behavior during the fracturing process.Six fracture propagation modes were identified,including fracture network propagation,fracture propagation blockage,normal fracture propagation,fracture propagation long bedding,fracture height growth,and rapidfluidfiltration,and then the operation pressure curve diagnosis and identification method were formed for shale gas fracture network fracturing in horizontal wells.The shortcomings of conventional operation curve diagnosis and identification methods are abandoned and the fracture network complexity index is presented.The higher index indicates more time of fracture network propagation and fracture propagation along bedding and the better reservoir stimulation effect.The model is applied to shale gas wells in the southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin,and the average fracture network complexity index of a single well is 0.3,which is in good agreement with the microseismic monitoring results.This proves the good reliability of the method developed.The method is helpful to improve the potential and level of fracturing stimulation of shale reservoirs and is of great significance for improving the post-fracturing evaluation technology of fracture network and guiding the real-time dynamic adjustment offield fracturing operations.展开更多
A precise diagnosis of the complex post-fracturing characteristics and parameter variations in tight gas reservoirs is essential for optimizing fracturing technology,enhancing treatment effectiveness,and assessing pos...A precise diagnosis of the complex post-fracturing characteristics and parameter variations in tight gas reservoirs is essential for optimizing fracturing technology,enhancing treatment effectiveness,and assessing post-fracturing production capacity.Tight gas reservoirs face challenges due to the interaction between natural fractures and induced fractures.To address these issues,a theoretical model for diagnosing fractures under varying leak-off mechanisms has been developed,incorporating the closure behavior of natural fractures.This model,grounded in material balance theory,also accounts for shut-in pressure.The study derived and plotted typical G-function charts,which capture fracture behavior during closure.By superimposing the G-function in the closure phase of natural fractures with pressure derivative curves,the study explored how fracture parameters—including leak-off coefficient,fracture area,closure pressure,and closure time—impact these diagnostic charts.Findings show that variations in natural fracture flexibility,fracture area,and controlling factors influence the superimposed G-function pressure derivative curve,resulting in distinctive“concave”or“convex”patterns.Field data from Well Y in a specific tight gas reservoir were used to validate the model,confirming both its reliability and practicality.展开更多
The production performances of a well with a shale gas reservoir displaying a complex fracture network are simulated.In particular,a micro-seismic cloud diagram is used to describe the fracture network,and accordingly...The production performances of a well with a shale gas reservoir displaying a complex fracture network are simulated.In particular,a micro-seismic cloud diagram is used to describe the fracture network,and accordingly,a production model is introduced based on a multi-scale flow mechanism.A finite volume method is then exploited for the integration of the model equations.The effects of apparent permeability,conductivity,Langmuir volume,and bottom hole pressure on gas well production are studied accordingly.The simulation results show that ignoring the micro-scale flow mechanism of the shale gas leads to underestimating the well gas production.It is shown that after ten years of production,the cumulative gas production difference between the two scenarios with and without considering the micro-scale flow mechanisms is 19.5%.The greater the fracture conductivity,the higher the initial gas production of the gas well and the cumulative gas production.The larger the Langmuir volume,the higher the gas production rate and the cumulative gas production.With the reduction of the bottom hole pressure,the cumulative gas production increases,but the growth rate gradually decreases.展开更多
For figuring out the stress interference of multiphase fracture combinations and its effect on the fracture initiation pressure of subsequent hydraulic fracturing,a calculation model for the coupled stress field with ...For figuring out the stress interference of multiphase fracture combinations and its effect on the fracture initiation pressure of subsequent hydraulic fracturing,a calculation model for the coupled stress field with multiple induced fractures preexisted was established based on the calculation model for the stress field with single induced fracture preexisted,and the change laws of circumferential stress field around the wellbore under the effect of induced stress were analyzed.Then,the fracture initiation pressure of subsequent hydraulic fracturing was calculated according to the fracturing mechanics criterion.Finally,the effects of the length,phase,horizontal principal stress difference co-efficient and quantity of preexisting fractures on its initiation pressure were analyzed.And the following research results were obtained.First,the circumferential stress difference in the area near the fractures behind the preexisting fractures increase greatly and even the horizontal principal stress is reversed.Second,as the length of new preexisting fractures increases,the initiation pressure of initial preexisting fractures rises first and then drops.And when the length of new preexisting fractures is equal to that of the initial preexisting fractures,the initiation pressure of initial preexisting fractures drops quickly first and then slowly.Third,the initiation pressure of high phase fractures is lower than that of low phase fractures.Fourth,with the increase of fracture quantity,the initiation pressure of new preexisting fractures drops gradually,but the decline trend of initiation pressure difference is not obvious.Fifth,the stress interference of multiphase fractures influences the fracture initiation pressure,and high-phase long fractures and low-phase short fractures are both favorable for the simultaneous initiation of multiphase fractures.Sixth,syn-chronous propagation of multiple fractures can generate more complicated stress interference and excite the evolution of hydraulic fracture network,so as to realize uniform fracturing stimulation.In conclusion,the research results can provide a theoretical guidance for the design of fracturing operation,e.g.perforation phase of blasting induced fracturing,scale of induced fractures,and pump pressure of subsequent hydraulic fracturing.展开更多
A seepage-geomechanical coupled embedded fracture flow model has been established for multi-field coupled simulation in tight oil reservoirs,revealing the patterns of change in pressure field,seepage field,and stress ...A seepage-geomechanical coupled embedded fracture flow model has been established for multi-field coupled simulation in tight oil reservoirs,revealing the patterns of change in pressure field,seepage field,and stress field after long-term water injection in tight oil reservoirs.Based on this,a technique for enhanced oil recovery(EOR)combining multi-field reconstruction and combination of displacement and imbibition in tight oil reservoirs has been proposed.The study shows that after long-term water flooding for tight oil development,the pressure diffusion range is limited,making it difficult to establish an effective displacement system.The variation in geostress exhibits diversity,with the change in horizontal minimum principal stress being greater than that in horizontal maximum principal stress,and the variation around the injection wells being more significant than that around the production wells.The deflection of geostress direction around injection wells is also large.The technology for EOR through multi-field reconstruction and combination of displacement and imbibition employs water injection wells converted to production and large-scale fracturing techniques to restructure the artificial fracture network system.Through a full lifecycle energy replenishment method of pre-fracturing energy supplementation,energy increase during fracturing,well soaking for energy storage,and combination of displacement and imbibition,it effectively addresses the issue of easy channeling of the injection medium and difficult energy replenishment after large-scale fracturing.By intensifying the imbibition effect through the coordination of multiple wells,it reconstructs the combined system of displacement and imbibition under a complex fracture network,transitioning from avoiding fractures to utilizing them,thereby improving microscopic sweep and oil displacement efficiencies.Field application in Block Yuan 284 of the Huaqing Oilfield in the Ordos Basin has demonstrated that this technology increases the recovery factor by 12 percentage points,enabling large scale and efficient development of tight oil.展开更多
Shales can form a complex fracture network during hydraulic fracturing, which greatly increases the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) and thus significantly increases oil or gas production. It is therefore important t...Shales can form a complex fracture network during hydraulic fracturing, which greatly increases the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) and thus significantly increases oil or gas production. It is therefore important to accurately predict the probability of formation of the hydraulic fracture network for shale gas exploration and exploitation. Conventional discriminant criteria are presented as the relationship curves of stress difference vs. intersection angle. However, these methods are inadequate for application in the field. In this study, an effective and quantitative prediction method relating to the probability of complex fracture network formation is proposed. First, a discriminant criterion of fracture network was derived. Secondly, Monte Carlo simulation was applied to calculate the probability of the formation of the complex fracture network. Then, the method was validated by applying it to individual wells of two active shale gas blocks in the Sichuan Basin, China. Results show that the probabilities of fracture network are 0.98 for well JY1 and 0.26 for well W204, which is consistent with the micro-seismic hydraulic fracturing monitoring and actual gas production. Finally, the method was further extended to apply for the regional scale of the Sichuan Basin, where the general probabilities of fracture network formation are 0.32–1 and 0.74–1 for Weiyuan and Jiaoshiba blocks, respectively. The Jiaoshiba block has, therefore, an overall higher probability for formation of fracture network than the Weiyuan block. The proposed method has the potential in further application to evaluation and prediction of hydraulic fracturing operations in shale reservoirs.展开更多
Coalbed methane(CBM)is an important unconventional natural gas.Exploitation of multilayered CBM reservoir is still facing the challenge of low production rate.Radial borehole fracturing,which integrates radial jet dri...Coalbed methane(CBM)is an important unconventional natural gas.Exploitation of multilayered CBM reservoir is still facing the challenge of low production rate.Radial borehole fracturing,which integrates radial jet drilling and hydraulic fracturing,is expected to create complex fracture networks in multilayers and enhance CBM recovery.The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms and efficacy of radial borehole fracturing in increasing CBM production in multiple layers.First,a two-phase flow and multi-scale 3 D fracture network including radial laterals,hydraulic fractures and face/butt cleats model is established,and embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM)is applied to handle the complex fracture networks.Then,effects of natural-fracture nonuniform distribution are investigated to show the advantages of targeted stimulation for radial borehole fracturing.Finally,two field CBM wells located in eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou,China were presented to illuminate the stimulation efficiency by radial borehole fracturing.The results indicated that compared with vertical well fracturing,radial borehole fracturing can achieve higher gas/water daily production rate and cumulative gas/water production,approximately 2 times higher.Targeted communications to cleats and sweet spots and flexibility in designing radial borehole parameters in different layers so as to increase fracture-network complexity and connectivity are the major reasons for production enhancement of radial borehole fracturing.Furthermore,the integration of geology-engineering is vital for the decision of radial borehole fracturing designing scheme.The key findings of this paper could provide useful insights towards understanding the capability of radial borehole fracturing in developing CBM and coal-measure gas in multiple-thin layers.展开更多
Bedding fractures are among the key factors affecting the production efficiency of shale oil and gas,but relatively little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of bedding fractures.Based on field outcrops ...Bedding fractures are among the key factors affecting the production efficiency of shale oil and gas,but relatively little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of bedding fractures.Based on field outcrops and drill cores from the Fuling area in the Sichuan Basin,this work discusses the development,filling,and opening characteristics of bedding fractures and their quantitative impact on physical properties.Multiple methods were employed,e.g.,immersion testing,wet illumination,high-power microscanning,imaging logging identification and experimental measurement.The results indicate that the highest density reaches 437 fractures per meter,with apertures less than 0.5µm being the majority.The average permeability of the shale samples with vertical bedding is 44.6 times that of the shale samples with parallel bedding,while the porosity exhibits less anisotropy.Many open bedding fractures with gas outlets in the core are shown by on-site immersion experiments and electron microscopy scanning experiments.Each dark stripe on the imaging logging map corresponds to a bedding fracture,and the thickness of the dark stripes corresponds to the aperture of the bedding fracture.There is no need to consider unfilled bedding fractures,as fractures filled with calcite veins and pyrite crystals can also become effective seepage channels because of the pores within the calcite veins and between the pyrite crystals.The utilization and transformation of bedding fractures during fracturing is one of the key steps in producing shale oil and gas.It is necessary to combine the in situ stress field,bedding fracture characteristics,and fracturability of shales to reasonably utilize bedding fractures to transform oil and gas reservoirs.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51974268)Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Improving Oil and Gas Recovery(NEPUEOR-2022-03)Research and Innovation Fund for Graduate Students of Southwest Petroleum University(No.2022KYCX005)。
文摘The oil production of the multi-fractured horizontal wells(MFHWs) declines quickly in unconventional oil reservoirs due to the fast depletion of natural energy. Gas injection has been acknowledged as an effective method to improve oil recovery factor from unconventional oil reservoirs. Hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff becomes preferable when the CO_(2) source is limited. However, the impact of complex fracture networks and well interference on the EOR performance of multiple MFHWs is still unclear. The optimal gas huff-n-puff parameters are significant for enhancing oil recovery. This work aims to optimize the hydrocarbon gas injection and production parameters for multiple MFHWs with complex fracture networks in unconventional oil reservoirs. Firstly, the numerical model based on unstructured grids is developed to characterize the complex fracture networks and capture the dynamic fracture features.Secondly, the PVT phase behavior simulation was carried out to provide the fluid model for numerical simulation. Thirdly, the optimal parameters for hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff were obtained. Finally, the dominant factors of hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff under complex fracture networks are obtained by fuzzy mathematical method. Results reveal that the current pressure of hydrocarbon gas injection can achieve miscible displacement. The optimal injection and production parameters are obtained by single-factor analysis to analyze the effect of individual parameter. Gas injection time is the dominant factor of hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff in unconventional oil reservoirs with complex fracture networks. This work can offer engineers guidance for hydrocarbon gas huff-n-puff of multiple MFHWs considering the complex fracture networks.
基金The authors are grateful to the financial support from China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M712645)Opening Fund of Key Laboratory of Enhanced Oil Recovery(Northeast Petroleum University),Ministry of Education(NEPU-EOR-2021-03).
文摘Severe well interference through complex fracture networks(CFNs)can be observed among multi-well pads in low permeability reservoirs.The well interference analysis between multi-fractured horizontal wells(MFHWs)is vitally important for reservoir effective development.Well interference has been historically investigated by pressure transient analysis,while it has shown that rate transient analysis has great potential in well interference diagnosis.However,the impact of complex fracture networks(CFNs)on rate transient behavior of parent well and child well in unconventional reservoirs is still not clear.To further investigate,this paper develops an integrated approach combining pressure and rate transient analysis for well interference diagnosis considering CFNs.To perform multi-well simulation considering CFNs,non-intrusive embedded discrete fracture model approach was applied for coupling fracture with reservoir models.The impact of CFN including natural fractures and frac-hits on pressure and rate transient behavior in multi-well system was investigated.On a logelog plot,interference flow and compound linear flow are two new flow regimes caused by nearby producers.When both NFs and frac-hits are present in the reservoir,frac-hits have a greater impact on well#1 which contains frac-hits,and NFs have greater impact on well#3 which does not have frac-hits.For all well producing circumstances,it might be challenging to see divergence during pseudosteady state flow brought on by frac-hits on the logelog plot.Besides,when NFs occur,reservoir depletion becomes noticeable in comparison to frac-hits in pressure distribution.Application of this integrated approach demonstrates that it works well to characterize the well interference among different multi-fractured horizontal wells in a well pad.Better reservoir evaluation can be acquired based on the new features observed in the novel model,demonstrating the practicability of the proposed approach.The findings of this study can help for better evaluating well interference degree in multi-well systems combing PTA and RTA,which can reduce the uncertainty and improve the accuracy of the well interference analysis based on both field pressure and rate data.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51674279)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2016M602227)a grant from National Science and Technology Major Project(No.2017ZX05049-006)
文摘The paper presents a novel hydraulic fracturing model for the characterization and simulation of the complex fracture network in shale gas reservoirs. We go beyond the existing method that uses planar or orthogonal conjugate fractures for representing the ＇＇complexity＇＇ of the network. Bifurcation of fractures is performed utilizing the Lindenmayer system based on fractal geometry to describe the fracture propagation pattern, density and network connectivity. Four controlling parameters are proposed to describe the details of complex fractures and stimulated reservoir volume（SRV）. The results show that due to the multilevel feature of fractal fractures, the model could provide a simple method for contributing reservoir volume calibration. The primary-and second-stage fracture networks across the overall SRV are the main contributions to the production, while the induced fracture network just contributes another 20% in the late producing period. We also conduct simulation with respect to different refracturing cases and find that increasing the complexity of the fracture network provides better performance than only enhancing the fracture conductivity.
基金This work is supported by Open Fund Project“Study on Multiphase Flow Semi-Analytical Method for Horizontal Wells of Continental Shale Condensate Gas”of Sinopec Key Laboratory of Shale Oil/Gas Exploration and Production Technology.
文摘Well interference has become a common phenomenon with the increasing scale of horizontal well fracturing.Recent studies on well interference in horizontal wells do not properly reflect the physical model of the postfracturing well groups and the realistic fracturing process of infill wells.Establishing the correspondence between well interference causative factors and manifestations is of great significance for infill well deployment and secondary oil recovery.In this work,we develop a numerical model that considers low velocity non-Darcy seepage inshale reservoirs to study the inter-well interferencephenomenon that occurs in theSantanghufield,andconstruct an explicit hydraulic fracture and complex natural fracture network model with an embedded discrete fracture model,focusing on the effect of fracture network morphology on well interactions.The model also considers a multi-segment wellbore model to accommodate the effect of inter-well crossflow on wellbore tubular flow.The changes in formation pressure and water saturation during fracturing are performed by controlling the injection pressure and water injection rate.The result shows that the shape of the fracture network generated by the infill well with the old well determines the subsequent fluid and oil-increasing performance of the disturbed well.The synergistic production or competitive relationship formed by fractures with different connectivity between the two wells determines the positive and negative effects of the interference.The paper also investigates the adaptation study of water injection huff and puff schemes for well groups with different connectivity,and demonstrated a potential yield increase of up to 10.85%under adaptation injection.This method of identifying well interference based on the production dynamics of affected wells and the subsequent corresponding water injection method provides valuable references for the selection of secondary oil recovery measures.
文摘In this paper,a series of specific studies were carried out to investigate the complex form of fracture networks and figure out the multi-scale flowing laws of nano/micro poresecomplex fracture networks-wellbore during the development of shale reservoirs by means of horizontal well fracturing.First,hydraulic fractures were induced by means of Brazilian splitting tests.Second,the forms of the hydraulic fractures inside the rock samples were observed by means of X-ray CT scanning to measure the opening of hydraulic fractures.Third,based on the multi-scale unified flowing model,morphological description of fractures and gas flowing mechanism in the matrixecomplex fracture networkewellbore,the productivity equation of single-stage horizontal well fracturing which includes diffusion,slipping and desorption was established.And fourthly,a productivity prediction model of horizontal well multi-stage fracturing in the shale reservoir was established considering the interference between the multi-stage fracturing zones and the pressure drop in the horizontal wellbore.The following results were obtained.First,hydraulic fractures are in the form of a complex network.Second,the measured opening of hydraulic fractures is in the range of 4.25-453 mm,averaging 112 mm.Third,shale gas flowing in different shapes of fracture networks follows different nonlinear flowing laws.Forth,as the fracture density in the strongly stimulated zones rises and the distribution range of the hydraulic fractures in strongly/weakly stimulated zones enlarges,gas production increases gradually.As the interference occurs in the flowing zones of fracture networks between fractured sections,the increasing amplitude of gas production rates decreases.Fifth,when the length of a simulated horizontal well is 1500 m and the half length of a fracture network in the strongly stimulated zone is 100 m,the productivity effect of stage 10 fracturing is the best.Therefore,it is necessary to control fracturing degree reasonably and optimize fracturing parameters,so as to provide a theoretical support for the optimization design of shale gas reservoir fracturing.
基金funded by National Natural Science Founda-tion of China(Grant No.51804258,51974255,52274007)Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province(Grant No.2023-JC-YB-414)the Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi Universities.Scientific Research Program Funded by Shaanxi ProvincialEducation Department(Program No.22JS029).
文摘Horizontal well and volume fracturing technology are the key technologies to develop unconventional reservoirs.Tight reservoir is belonging to multi-scale seepage mediaafter fracturing,and theflow offluid in it is extremely complicated.In this paper,based on the boundary element method(BEM),the seepage model of horizontal wells with complex fracture networks in irregular boundary reservoir is established for thefirst time.The model takes into account the influence of irregular reservoir boundary,dual media,complex fracture network and interference of multiple wells on horizontal well seepage.Using this model,the sensitivity analysis of wellbore storage coefficient,skin factor,fracture permeability and interporosity transfer coefficient is carried out.The model expands the application scope of BEM in thefield of seepage simulation of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs and provides theoretical guidance for the development of tight oil reservoirs.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52274014,52421002).
文摘By integrating laboratory physical modeling experiments with machine learning-based analysis of dominant factors,this study explored the feasibility of pulse hydraulic fracturing(PHF)in deep coal rocks and revealed the fracture propagation patterns and the mechanisms of pulsating loading in the process.The results show that PHF induces fatigue damage in coal matrix,significantly reducing breakdown pressure and increasing fracture network volume.Lower vertical stress differential coefficient(less than 0.31),lower peak pressure ratio(less than 0.9),higher horizontal stress differential coefficient(greater than 0.13),higher pulse amplitude ratio(greater than or equal to 0.5)and higher pulse frequency(greater than or equal to 3 Hz)effectively decrease the breakdown pressure.Conversely,higher vertical stress differential coefficient(greater than or equal to 0.31),higher pulse amplitude ratio(greater than or equal to 0.5),lower horizontal stress differential coefficient(less than or equal to 0.13),lower peak pressure ratio(less than 0.9),and lower pulse frequency(less than 3 Hz)promote the formation of a complex fracture network.Vertical stress and peak pressure are the most critical geological and engineering parameters affecting the stimulation effectiveness of PHF.The dominant mechanism varies with coal rank due to differences in geomechanical characteristics and natural fracture development.Low-rank coal primarily exhibits matrix strength degradation.High-rank coal mainly involves the activation of natural fractures and bedding planes.Medium-rank coal shows a coexistence of matrix strength degradation and micro-fracture connectivity.The PHF forms complex fracture networks through the dual mechanism of matrix strength degradation and fracture network connectivity enhancement.
文摘This study investigated the micro-sliding frictional behavior of shale in fracturing fluids under varying operational conditions using Chang 7 shale oil reservoir core samples.Through systematic micro-sliding friction experiments,the characteristics and governing mechanisms of shale friction were elucidated.Complementary analyses were conducted to characterize the mineral composition,petrophysical properties,and micromorphology of the shale samples,providing insights into the relationship between microscopic structure and frictional response.In this paper,the characteristics and variation law of shale micro-sliding friction under different types of graphite materials as additives in LGF-80(Low-damage Guar Fluid)oil flooding recoverable fracturing fluid system were mainly studied.In addition,the finite element numerical simulation experiment of hydraulic fracturing was adopted to study the influence of the friction coefficient of natural fracture surfaces on fracture propagation and formation of the fracture network.The geometric complexity of fracture networks was systematically quantified under varying frictional coefficients of natural fracture surfaces through multi-parametric characterization and morphometric analysis.The research results show that graphite micro-particles reduce friction and drag.Based on this,this paper proposes a new idea of graphite micro-particles as an additive in the LGF-80 oil flooding recoverable fracturing fluid system to reduce friction on the fracture surface.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China Basic The ory of Efficient Development of Shale Oil and Gas(No.51490653)Theory and Method of Efficient Construction of Fracture Network in Deep and Ultra-Deep Shale Gas Horizontal Wells(No.U19A2043)Theory and Method of Long-term Propping for Deep Shale Gas Hydraulic Fractures based on DEM-LBM Hydro-Mechanical Coupling(No.52104039).
文摘Affected by reservoir heterogeneity,developed natural fractures,and bedding fractures,the fracturing pressure curves in fracturing of shale gas horizontal wells present complex shapes.A large amount of information contained in the fracturing curves is still not fully excavated.Based on the theory of shale gas fracture network fracturing,the calculation model of bottom hole net pressure is established by integrating the real-time data such as casing pressure,pump rate,and proppant concentration.Net pressure slope and net pressure index are constructed as key parameters,and the net pressure curve is divided dynamically to describe the mechanical conditions corresponding to the fracture propagation behavior during the fracturing process.Six fracture propagation modes were identified,including fracture network propagation,fracture propagation blockage,normal fracture propagation,fracture propagation long bedding,fracture height growth,and rapidfluidfiltration,and then the operation pressure curve diagnosis and identification method were formed for shale gas fracture network fracturing in horizontal wells.The shortcomings of conventional operation curve diagnosis and identification methods are abandoned and the fracture network complexity index is presented.The higher index indicates more time of fracture network propagation and fracture propagation along bedding and the better reservoir stimulation effect.The model is applied to shale gas wells in the southeastern margin of Sichuan Basin,and the average fracture network complexity index of a single well is 0.3,which is in good agreement with the microseismic monitoring results.This proves the good reliability of the method developed.The method is helpful to improve the potential and level of fracturing stimulation of shale reservoirs and is of great significance for improving the post-fracturing evaluation technology of fracture network and guiding the real-time dynamic adjustment offield fracturing operations.
文摘A precise diagnosis of the complex post-fracturing characteristics and parameter variations in tight gas reservoirs is essential for optimizing fracturing technology,enhancing treatment effectiveness,and assessing post-fracturing production capacity.Tight gas reservoirs face challenges due to the interaction between natural fractures and induced fractures.To address these issues,a theoretical model for diagnosing fractures under varying leak-off mechanisms has been developed,incorporating the closure behavior of natural fractures.This model,grounded in material balance theory,also accounts for shut-in pressure.The study derived and plotted typical G-function charts,which capture fracture behavior during closure.By superimposing the G-function in the closure phase of natural fractures with pressure derivative curves,the study explored how fracture parameters—including leak-off coefficient,fracture area,closure pressure,and closure time—impact these diagnostic charts.Findings show that variations in natural fracture flexibility,fracture area,and controlling factors influence the superimposed G-function pressure derivative curve,resulting in distinctive“concave”or“convex”patterns.Field data from Well Y in a specific tight gas reservoir were used to validate the model,confirming both its reliability and practicality.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52004237)Science and Technology Cooperation Project of the CNPC-SWPU Innovation Alliance(Grant No.2020CX020202)the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(No.2022JDJQ0009).
文摘The production performances of a well with a shale gas reservoir displaying a complex fracture network are simulated.In particular,a micro-seismic cloud diagram is used to describe the fracture network,and accordingly,a production model is introduced based on a multi-scale flow mechanism.A finite volume method is then exploited for the integration of the model equations.The effects of apparent permeability,conductivity,Langmuir volume,and bottom hole pressure on gas well production are studied accordingly.The simulation results show that ignoring the micro-scale flow mechanism of the shale gas leads to underestimating the well gas production.It is shown that after ten years of production,the cumulative gas production difference between the two scenarios with and without considering the micro-scale flow mechanisms is 19.5%.The greater the fracture conductivity,the higher the initial gas production of the gas well and the cumulative gas production.The larger the Langmuir volume,the higher the gas production rate and the cumulative gas production.With the reduction of the bottom hole pressure,the cumulative gas production increases,but the growth rate gradually decreases.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,“Microscopic Damage Mechanism of Saturated Brittle Rock during Blasting Induced Fracturing and Its Control Law on Macroscopic Damage”(No.51874339)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,“Study on the Coupled Response Mechanism of Crack Propagation and Rock Damage in the fracturing condition of multistage strong pulse”(No.ZR2016EEQ04)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China,“Study on the Mechanical Mechanism of Multistage Blasting Induced SRV in Deep-Seated Tight Reservoirs with High Horizontal Stress Difference”(No.17CX05004).
文摘For figuring out the stress interference of multiphase fracture combinations and its effect on the fracture initiation pressure of subsequent hydraulic fracturing,a calculation model for the coupled stress field with multiple induced fractures preexisted was established based on the calculation model for the stress field with single induced fracture preexisted,and the change laws of circumferential stress field around the wellbore under the effect of induced stress were analyzed.Then,the fracture initiation pressure of subsequent hydraulic fracturing was calculated according to the fracturing mechanics criterion.Finally,the effects of the length,phase,horizontal principal stress difference co-efficient and quantity of preexisting fractures on its initiation pressure were analyzed.And the following research results were obtained.First,the circumferential stress difference in the area near the fractures behind the preexisting fractures increase greatly and even the horizontal principal stress is reversed.Second,as the length of new preexisting fractures increases,the initiation pressure of initial preexisting fractures rises first and then drops.And when the length of new preexisting fractures is equal to that of the initial preexisting fractures,the initiation pressure of initial preexisting fractures drops quickly first and then slowly.Third,the initiation pressure of high phase fractures is lower than that of low phase fractures.Fourth,with the increase of fracture quantity,the initiation pressure of new preexisting fractures drops gradually,but the decline trend of initiation pressure difference is not obvious.Fifth,the stress interference of multiphase fractures influences the fracture initiation pressure,and high-phase long fractures and low-phase short fractures are both favorable for the simultaneous initiation of multiphase fractures.Sixth,syn-chronous propagation of multiple fractures can generate more complicated stress interference and excite the evolution of hydraulic fracture network,so as to realize uniform fracturing stimulation.In conclusion,the research results can provide a theoretical guidance for the design of fracturing operation,e.g.perforation phase of blasting induced fracturing,scale of induced fractures,and pump pressure of subsequent hydraulic fracturing.
基金Supported by the Joint Fund Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(U22B2075).
文摘A seepage-geomechanical coupled embedded fracture flow model has been established for multi-field coupled simulation in tight oil reservoirs,revealing the patterns of change in pressure field,seepage field,and stress field after long-term water injection in tight oil reservoirs.Based on this,a technique for enhanced oil recovery(EOR)combining multi-field reconstruction and combination of displacement and imbibition in tight oil reservoirs has been proposed.The study shows that after long-term water flooding for tight oil development,the pressure diffusion range is limited,making it difficult to establish an effective displacement system.The variation in geostress exhibits diversity,with the change in horizontal minimum principal stress being greater than that in horizontal maximum principal stress,and the variation around the injection wells being more significant than that around the production wells.The deflection of geostress direction around injection wells is also large.The technology for EOR through multi-field reconstruction and combination of displacement and imbibition employs water injection wells converted to production and large-scale fracturing techniques to restructure the artificial fracture network system.Through a full lifecycle energy replenishment method of pre-fracturing energy supplementation,energy increase during fracturing,well soaking for energy storage,and combination of displacement and imbibition,it effectively addresses the issue of easy channeling of the injection medium and difficult energy replenishment after large-scale fracturing.By intensifying the imbibition effect through the coordination of multiple wells,it reconstructs the combined system of displacement and imbibition under a complex fracture network,transitioning from avoiding fractures to utilizing them,thereby improving microscopic sweep and oil displacement efficiencies.Field application in Block Yuan 284 of the Huaqing Oilfield in the Ordos Basin has demonstrated that this technology increases the recovery factor by 12 percentage points,enabling large scale and efficient development of tight oil.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.41872123 and 42125205).
文摘Shales can form a complex fracture network during hydraulic fracturing, which greatly increases the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) and thus significantly increases oil or gas production. It is therefore important to accurately predict the probability of formation of the hydraulic fracture network for shale gas exploration and exploitation. Conventional discriminant criteria are presented as the relationship curves of stress difference vs. intersection angle. However, these methods are inadequate for application in the field. In this study, an effective and quantitative prediction method relating to the probability of complex fracture network formation is proposed. First, a discriminant criterion of fracture network was derived. Secondly, Monte Carlo simulation was applied to calculate the probability of the formation of the complex fracture network. Then, the method was validated by applying it to individual wells of two active shale gas blocks in the Sichuan Basin, China. Results show that the probabilities of fracture network are 0.98 for well JY1 and 0.26 for well W204, which is consistent with the micro-seismic hydraulic fracturing monitoring and actual gas production. Finally, the method was further extended to apply for the regional scale of the Sichuan Basin, where the general probabilities of fracture network formation are 0.32–1 and 0.74–1 for Weiyuan and Jiaoshiba blocks, respectively. The Jiaoshiba block has, therefore, an overall higher probability for formation of fracture network than the Weiyuan block. The proposed method has the potential in further application to evaluation and prediction of hydraulic fracturing operations in shale reservoirs.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(National R&D Program for Major Research Instruments,51827804)Youth Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(52004299)National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars(51725404)
文摘Coalbed methane(CBM)is an important unconventional natural gas.Exploitation of multilayered CBM reservoir is still facing the challenge of low production rate.Radial borehole fracturing,which integrates radial jet drilling and hydraulic fracturing,is expected to create complex fracture networks in multilayers and enhance CBM recovery.The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the mechanisms and efficacy of radial borehole fracturing in increasing CBM production in multiple layers.First,a two-phase flow and multi-scale 3 D fracture network including radial laterals,hydraulic fractures and face/butt cleats model is established,and embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM)is applied to handle the complex fracture networks.Then,effects of natural-fracture nonuniform distribution are investigated to show the advantages of targeted stimulation for radial borehole fracturing.Finally,two field CBM wells located in eastern Yunnan-western Guizhou,China were presented to illuminate the stimulation efficiency by radial borehole fracturing.The results indicated that compared with vertical well fracturing,radial borehole fracturing can achieve higher gas/water daily production rate and cumulative gas/water production,approximately 2 times higher.Targeted communications to cleats and sweet spots and flexibility in designing radial borehole parameters in different layers so as to increase fracture-network complexity and connectivity are the major reasons for production enhancement of radial borehole fracturing.Furthermore,the integration of geology-engineering is vital for the decision of radial borehole fracturing designing scheme.The key findings of this paper could provide useful insights towards understanding the capability of radial borehole fracturing in developing CBM and coal-measure gas in multiple-thin layers.
基金sponsored by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2021M703000):Formation mechanism of a compressive fracture network constrained by weak surfaces of shale bedding.
文摘Bedding fractures are among the key factors affecting the production efficiency of shale oil and gas,but relatively little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of bedding fractures.Based on field outcrops and drill cores from the Fuling area in the Sichuan Basin,this work discusses the development,filling,and opening characteristics of bedding fractures and their quantitative impact on physical properties.Multiple methods were employed,e.g.,immersion testing,wet illumination,high-power microscanning,imaging logging identification and experimental measurement.The results indicate that the highest density reaches 437 fractures per meter,with apertures less than 0.5µm being the majority.The average permeability of the shale samples with vertical bedding is 44.6 times that of the shale samples with parallel bedding,while the porosity exhibits less anisotropy.Many open bedding fractures with gas outlets in the core are shown by on-site immersion experiments and electron microscopy scanning experiments.Each dark stripe on the imaging logging map corresponds to a bedding fracture,and the thickness of the dark stripes corresponds to the aperture of the bedding fracture.There is no need to consider unfilled bedding fractures,as fractures filled with calcite veins and pyrite crystals can also become effective seepage channels because of the pores within the calcite veins and between the pyrite crystals.The utilization and transformation of bedding fractures during fracturing is one of the key steps in producing shale oil and gas.It is necessary to combine the in situ stress field,bedding fracture characteristics,and fracturability of shales to reasonably utilize bedding fractures to transform oil and gas reservoirs.
