Numerical study of complex fracture geometry effect on two-phase performance of shale-gas wells using the fast EDFM method

Altwaijri, Mohammad; Xia, Zhaohui; Yu, Wei; Qu, Liangsheng; Hu, Yunpeng; Xu, Yifei; Sepehrnoori, Kamy

doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2017.12.086

Cited by 46 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Numerical modeling in fractured media using fracturenetwork representations is widespread and includes applications to multiphase reservoir flow (e.g., [16,17]), coupled fluid flow, and solute transport for hydrogeological problems (e.g., [10,13]), as well as electric current propagation in order to investigate fracture-network characteristics using geoelectrical methods (e.g., [18][19][20]). In this regard, when it is necessary to take into account fracture-matrix exchanges, such as when modeling electric current propagation or solute transport subject to matrix diffusion, several methods enable us to couple an explicit representation of the fractures with the surrounding matrix (e.g., [21][22][23]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybrid Analytical and Numerical Approach for Modeling Fluid Flow in Simplified Three-Dimensional Fracture Networks

et al. 2020

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Modeling fluid flow in three-dimensional fracture networks is required in a wide variety of applications related to fractured rocks. Numerical approaches developed for this purpose rely on either simplified representations of the physics of the considered problem using mesh-free methods at the fracture scale or complex meshing of the studied systems resulting in considerable computational costs. Here, we derive an alternative approach that does not rely on a full meshing of the fracture network yet maintains an accurate representation of the modeled physical processes. This is done by considering simplified fracture networks in which the fractures are represented as rectangles that are divided into rectangular subfractures such that the fracture intersections are defined on the borders of these subfractures. Two-dimensional analytical solutions for the Darcy-scale flow problem are utilized at the subfracture scale and coupled at the fracture-network scale through discretization nodes located on the subfracture borders. We investigate the impact of parameters related to the location and number of the discretization nodes on the results obtained, and we compare our results with those calculated using reference solutions, which are an analytical solution for simple configurations and a standard finite-element modeling approach for complex configurations. This work represents a first step towards the development of 3D hybrid analytical and numerical approaches where the impact of the surrounding matrix will be eventually considered.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hybrid Analytical and Numerical Approach for Modeling Fluid Flow in Simplified Three-Dimensional Fracture Networks

et al. 2020

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“…In these models, the matrix and fracture are divided into two systems to solve the problem independently, and the relationship between them is established according to the filtration volume. Based on the dual‐continuum model and fracture treatment method in the discrete fracture model, Xu et al, 51 Altwaijri et al, 52 and Shakiba et al 53 proposed the embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM) to simulate production performance considering the complex fracture network. In this model, three types of non‐neighboring connections were defined to describe the mass exchange.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New algorithm to simulate fracture network propagation using stationary and moving coordinates in naturally fractured reservoirs

Zhang

Yan

et al. 2020

Energy Science & Engineering

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“…Although there are many analytical or semi-analytical models to simulate shale-gas reservoirs [20][21][22][23], numerical reservoir simulation is needed to accurately model multiple shale-gas well production due to complexity of natural and hydraulic fracture configurations and complex two-phase flow physics [24][25][26][27]. The traditional local grid refinement (LGR) method with structured grids is difficult to model complex fractures explicitly [28,29]. Although the LGR method with unstructured grids has the capability to handle complex fractures, the computational efficiency is a big issue.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of the Effect of Natural Fractures on Multiple Shale-Gas Well Performance Using Non-Intrusive EDFM Technology

Liu

et al. 2019

Energies

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The influence of complex natural fractures on multiple shale-gas well performance with varying well spacing is poorly understood. It is difficult to apply the traditional local grid refinement with structured or unstructured gridding techniques to accurately and efficiently handle complex natural fractures. In this study, we introduced a powerful non-intrusive embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM) technology to overcome the limitations of exiting methods. Through this unique technology, complex fracture configurations can be easily and explicitly embedded into structured matrix blocks. We set up a field-scale two-phase reservoir model to history match field production data and predict long-term recovery from Marcellus. The effective fracture properties were determined thorough history matching. In addition, we extended the single-well model to include two horizontal wells with and without including natural fractures. The effects of different numbers of natural fractures on two-well performance with varying well spacing of 200 m, 300 m, and 400 m were examined. The simulation results illustrate that gas productivity almost linearly increases with the number of two-set natural fractures. Furthermore, the difference of well performance between different well spacing increases with an increase in natural fracture density. A larger well spacing is preferred for economically developing the shale-gas reservoirs with a larger natural fracture density. The findings of this study provide key insights into understanding the effect of natural fractures on well performance and well spacing optimization.

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Numerical study of complex fracture geometry effect on two-phase performance of shale-gas wells using the fast EDFM method

Cited by 46 publications

References 17 publications

Hybrid Analytical and Numerical Approach for Modeling Fluid Flow in Simplified Three-Dimensional Fracture Networks

Hybrid Analytical and Numerical Approach for Modeling Fluid Flow in Simplified Three-Dimensional Fracture Networks

New algorithm to simulate fracture network propagation using stationary and moving coordinates in naturally fractured reservoirs

Investigation of the Effect of Natural Fractures on Multiple Shale-Gas Well Performance Using Non-Intrusive EDFM Technology

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