Application of type curves for pressure transient analysis of multiple fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs

Abstract

Pressure transient analysis for shale gas reservoirs requires comprehensive understanding related to nonlinear gas flow process as well as hydraulic fracture properties. A major purpose of this study is to demonstrate how this issue is addressed by pressure transient analysis for multiple fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs. Extensive numerical simulations were conducted to model transient pressure behaviour of a fractured horizontal well and the results were applied to well test analysis in shale gas reservoirs. This paper presents a comprehensive reservoir simulation model to investigate the characteristics of pressure transient responses under the influences of hydraulic fracture properties and nonlinear gas flow mechanism. The numerical simulations provided various type curves for transient pressure responses in fractured horizontal production wells. Results from type-curve matching for synthetic pressure data demonstrate that the conventional analysis approach may still be applicable for analysis of shale gas reservoirs.