The effect of hydraulic-fracture parameters on the welltest response of multi-fractured tight-gas reservoirs
Chaolang Qiu A , Mofazzal Hossain A , Hassan Bahrami A and Yangfan Lu ACurtin University
The APPEA Journal 53(1) 375-380 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ12033
Published: 2013
Abstract
With the reduction of conventional reserves, the demand and exploration of unconventional sources becomes increasingly important in the energy supply system. Low permeability, low porosity, and the complexities of rock formation in unconventional gas reservoirs make it difficult to extract commercially viable gas resources. Hydraulic fracture is the most common technique used for commercial production of hydrocarbon resources from unconventional tight-gas reservoirs. Due to the existence of an extremely long transient-flow period in tight-gas reservoirs, the interpretation of welltest data based on conventional welltest analysis is quite challenging, and could potentially lead to misleading results.
This peer-reviewed paper presents a new approach based on a log-log reciprocal rate derivative plot. Emphases are given on the identification of factors affecting the welltest response in multiple hydraulic-fractured wells in unconventional gas reservoirs based on numerical simulation. The objective is to investigate the sensitivity of various reservoir and hydraulic-fracture parameters, such as multiple hydraulic-fracture size, fracture number and fracture orientation on welltest response, and the effect of the pressure derivative curve on the slopes of welltest diagnostic plots, as well as on well productivity performance. The results can be used to understand the welltest response for different hydraulic-fracturing scenarios for the efficiency and characteristics of hydraulic fractures.
Chaolang Qiu is a master’s student from Curtin University majoring in petroleum engineering. Prior to enrolling in the master’s course at Curtin University he completed his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering at the University of Southwest Petroleum in China. His present focus is on the effect of hydraulic-fracture parameters on the welltest response of multi-fractured tight-gas reservoirs. qiuchaolang@163.com |
Mofazzal Hossain is a senior lecturer, postgraduate course coordinator, and SPE faculty advisor at the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University. He has more than 14 years of experience in teaching, research, and consultation, mainly in well technology and petroleum production technology. He has worked at the University of Adelaide, UNSW, Saudi Aramco, King Saud University, and Reservoir Engineering Research Institute. His research works encompass reservoir stimulation by hydraulic fracturing for improved production from unconventional tight/shale gas reservoirs, completion optimisation, rock fracture mechanics, and wellbore stability. His PhD in petroleum engineering is from UNSW. Member: SPE, Institute of Engineers Australia. Md.hossain@curtin.edu.au |
Hassan Bahrami is a PhD candidate in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University, focused on tight-sand gas reservoirs’ damage and productivity. Prior to Curtin University, Hassan worked for Schlumberger Data and Consulting Services (DCS) as a borehole reservoir engineer (2003–9), and at Tehran Energy Consultants as a reservoir engineer (2001–3). Hassan holds a BSc in chemical engineering from Persian Gulf University and an MSc in reservoir engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran. Bahrami@postgrad.curtin.edu.au |
Yangfan Lu is pursuing a master's degree in petroleum engineering at Curtin University. He holds a bachelor's degree in petroleum geology from China University of Petroleum. Sniper8123@sina.com |
