Evaluation and Selection of Stimulation Methods in Horizontal Gas Wells for Production Optimization Using Numerical Modeling of Well Performances

Al-Anazi, Hamoud; Al-Kanaan, Adnan; Pacheco, Eduardo; Rahim, Zillur

doi:10.2118/167090-ms

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…Numerical simulation is a useful tool to analysis the performance of fractured well. However, with the increase of fracture complexity, the number of reservoir grids will be enormous, tremendous computation time would be required [5][6]. It would be time costing to interpret the parameters of fractures networks and reservoirs based on the numerical model.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A semi-analytical model for pressure transient analysis of partially penetrating inclined fracture networks for multi-stage fractured horizontal well

Zhikai¹,

Wang²,

Cheng³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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There are some partially penetrating inclined fractures (PPIFs) due to stress interference between fracture networks in multi-stage fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs). It would take tremendous computation time to make flow behavior analysis and well production optimization in numerical simulators. Therefore, it is an extremely urgent task to establish efficient and rigorous models of PPIF networks. In this paper, triangular elements were introduced to characterize the geometry and intersection of PPIFs. Control volume method is adopted to model the fracture flow numerically and the star-delta transformation is used to solve the interconnected fractures more accurately. The fluid flow in the matrix is analytical modeled by source function. The transient flow between PPIFs and matrix is coupled on the surface of fractures. By introduce spatial triangle numerical integral technology in source function calculation, the model efficiency can be greatly increased. Finally, the pressure transient analysis (PTA) of PPIFs can be modelled with high accuracy and less calculation time. With the aid of proposed PPIFs model, the transient pressure behaviors of different MFHWs were analyzed. The hydraulic and natural fractures in these MFHWs have different inclinations, trends, and heights. The flow regimes of PPIFs with finite conductivity are analyzed in detail. Flow regimes analysis indicates that eight flow regimes can be observed, including the wellbore storage flow, fracture linear flow, bilinear flow, formation linear flow, early radial flow, compound linear flow, pseudo-radial flow, and boundary-dominated flow. The results indicate that the formation linear flow and early radial flow would be influenced by the geometry of nature fractures, which is quite different from that of vertical penetration fractures. The introduction of numerical integral method greatly reduces the calculation time (less than 2 minutes) with high accuracy, which make it possible to analysis the fracture parameters more efficiently. The result of typical well test curves analyses shows that the duration of flow regimes will be influenced the parameters of fractures. When the penetration ratio (> 0.6) or the incline angle (>60°) is large enough, the bilinear flow will last longer, and the early radial flow will be absent.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A semi-analytical model for pressure transient analysis of partially penetrating inclined fracture networks for multi-stage fractured horizontal well

Zhikai¹,

Wang²,

Cheng³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Optimizing Spacing of Horizontal Multistage Fractured Wells in Gas Reservoirs

Alghannam

Rahim

2014

All Days

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The growing demand for gas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the availability of multistage fracturing (MSF) of horizontal well technology have opened up the development of tight gas reservoirs throughout the country. Draining the reservoir efficiently using MSF strongly depends on well spacing, especially for low permeability reservoirs. The majority of the work done by the industry to find the optimum well spacing was based on economic considerations. Saudi Aramco optimizes field development based on sustained rate and ultimate hydrocarbon recovery. Natural gas is treated as one of the most essential commodities supporting the country's infrastructure based on the increased domestic energy demand. Some of the significant parameters to consider for well spacing optimization are the drilling azimuth and well completion strategy that include a number of induced fractures, fracture conductivity, and fracture half-lengths. In addition, reservoir properties, such as formation thickness, reservoir permeability, and the permeability anisotropy ratio are to be considered. Due to the scarcity of interference test data in gas wells and the inaccuracy of analytical solutions, numeric simulation is the most suitable approach for such a study. To find the optimum well spacing, several simulation runs are carried out for a realistic range of well and reservoir variables. The outcomes are then translated into a 20-year cumulative production as a function of the well spacing, with the results indicating that lower permeability reservoirs require closer well spacing. In the case of a large number of long fractures, wells need to be placed further away from each other to minimize well interference. This paper gives the recommended MSF horizontal well spacing for several development scenarios in Saudi Arabian gas reservoir environments. Although each area must be individually studied and optimized, the results will provide engineers with guidelines to better plan gas field development with the application of MSF technology.

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Optimising Spacing of Horizontal Wells in Gas and Gas-Condensate Reservoirs

et al. 2015

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An increase in the demand for gas in this current generation and the availability of several technologies including horizontal drilling technology has opened up the development of tight gas reservoirs throughout the globe. Efficiently draining the reservoir using hydraulic fracturing strongly depends on well spacing, especially for low permeability reservoirs. Most of the majority of work done by petroleum industries in the world especially in the Russian Federation to find the optimum well spacing is based on economic and technical considerations. Key factors influencing performance of gas and gas condensate reservoirs include controllable and uncontrollable factors. Uncontrollable factors include porosity, water saturation, net-to-gross, initial pressure, permeability, natural fractures and fluid properties. The most relevant parameters among the controllable factors to consider for optimizing well spacing in gas and gas condensate wells are well design variations, well placement, surface facilities design, completion technologies and operating conditions which also include parameters such as the reservoir thickness, permeability anisotropy ratio, fracture conductivity, induced fractures and fracture half-lengths. Due to the dearth of interference test data in gas wells and the inaccuracy of analytical solutions, numerical simulation is the most suitable approach for optimizing spacing in gas wells. In finding the optimum well spacing, several simulation runs are carried out for a real range of well and reservoir variables. The results are then tabulated and translated into a 15 and 45-year cumulative production as a function of well spacing, with the results indicating that lower permeability reservoirs require closer well spacing. In the case of a large number of long fractures, wells need to be placed further away from each to reduce well interference. This paper outlines the outcomes of optimization studies on well spacing in which both analytical and numerical tools were used in the presented workflow for several development scenarios in the gas and gas-condensate reservoir environments.

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Evaluation and Selection of Stimulation Methods in Horizontal Gas Wells for Production Optimization Using Numerical Modeling of Well Performances

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

A semi-analytical model for pressure transient analysis of partially penetrating inclined fracture networks for multi-stage fractured horizontal well

A semi-analytical model for pressure transient analysis of partially penetrating inclined fracture networks for multi-stage fractured horizontal well

Optimizing Spacing of Horizontal Multistage Fractured Wells in Gas Reservoirs

Optimising Spacing of Horizontal Wells in Gas and Gas-Condensate Reservoirs

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