Production Performance of Multiply Fractured Horizontal Wells

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct a modeling study to determine the production performance of multiply fractured horizontal well completed in Shale formations and to investigate the impact of hydraulic fractures on the production performance of horizontal wells in ultra-low permeability formations. A commercial reservoir simulator was utilized to model both single and a dual porosity reservoir since both hydraulic fractures and natural fractures play significant roles in well performance of the low permeability reservoirs. The adsorbed gas component was also included in the models. The single and a dual porosity models were utilized to investigate the flow regimes for horizontal wells with multi-stages of hydraulic fracturing stimulation. History matching with actual production from Marcellus Shale wells was utilized to determine the basic model parameters. The results indicated the presence of number of different flow regimes. The hydraulic fractures appear to dominate the early production performance. The impact of reservoir and hydraulic fracture parameters on the flow regimes as well as the production performance and gas desorption were also investigated. The results can be utilized to investigate the feasibility horizontal wells with multiple hydraulic fractures and optimize the production from the shale formations.

Analysis of production data from hydraulically fractured horizontal wells in Marcellus Shale

“…As a result, the characteristics of the reservoir interior (stimulated reservoir volume) have a significant impact on production during this early period. These characteristics include the number; the location, and the half-length of hydraulic fractures (Belyadi A. et al 2012). Furthermore, the production profiles, after 5 years, for 7 and 13 stages in 4000×2000 ft 2 case are almost parallel.…”

“…Our previous investigations (Belyadi A. et al 2012) indicated that two periods production are present in a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic frac stages. During the early period the interior of the reservoir (also referred to as the stimulated reservoir volume) contributes most of the production.…”

“…Based on our previous investigations (Belyadi A. et al 2010, Belyadi H. 2011, and Belyadi, A. et al 2012),a multi-layer, dual porosity model with adsorbed gas was employed as the base model for the simulation runs. A commercial reservoir simulator was used to model a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fractures in the base model.The basic model parameters were established based on the available field information as well as the results of the history matching the production data from Marcellus Shale wells (Belyadi H. 2011).…”

Analysis of Production Performance of the Hydraulically Fractured Horizontal Wells

“…These characteristics include the number; the location, and the half-length of hydraulic fractures (Belyadi, A. et al 2012). This suggests that during this period the production is primarily originates from the interior of the reservoir.…”

“…Based on our previous investigations (Belyadi, A. et al 2010, Belyadi, H. 2011, and Belyadi, A. et al 2012, a multi-layer, dual porosity model with adsorbed gas was employed as the base model for the simulation runs. A commercial reservoir simulator was used to model a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fractures in the base model.…”