Simulating Production from Complex Fracture Networks: Impact of Geomechanics and Closure of Propped/Unpropped Fractures

Zheng, Shuang; Kumar, Ashish; Gala, Deepen; Shrivastava, Kaustubh; Sharma, Mukul M.

doi:10.15530/urtec-2019-21

Cited by 14 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The tracer transport model is implemented in the finite-volume method based geomechanical reservoir simulator developed by Zheng et al [25]. In the case of tracer transport modeling, two fundamental assumptions are applicable, tracers do not occupy any volume, and they do not affect the physical properties of the phases [26].…”

Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The equations mentioned above (fluid flow in matrix and fracture domain and displacement equation) are solved in a coupled manner which is described in detail in [25]. The displacement equation is coupled with a fracture closure model which will be described in the next section.…”

Section: Fluid Flow and Geomechanics Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The developed tracer transport model is integrated with the geomechanical reservoir simulator [25]. The overall solution algorithm is shown in Figure 3.…”

Section: Solution Algorithmmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diagnosing Hydraulic Fracture Geometry, Complexity, and Fracture Wellbore Connectivity Using Chemical Tracer Flowback

Kumar

Sharma

2020

Energies

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The productivity of a hydraulically fractured well depends on the fracture geometry and fracture–wellbore connectivity. Unlike other fracture diagnostics techniques, flowback tracer response will be dominated only by the fractures, which are open and connected to the wellbore. Single well chemical tracer field tests have been used for hydraulic fracture diagnostics to estimate the stagewise production contribution. In this study, a chemical tracer flowback analysis is presented to estimate the fraction of the created fracture area, which is open and connected to the wellbore. A geomechanics coupled fluid flow and tracer transport model is developed to analyze the impact of (a) fracture geometry, (b) fracture propagation and closure effects, and (c) fracture complexity on the tracer response curves. Tracer injection and flowback in a complex fracture network is modeled with the help of an effective model. Multiple peaks in the tracer response curves can be explained by the closure of activated natural fractures. Low tracer recovery typically observed in field tests can be explained by tracer retention due to fracture closure. In a complex fracture network, segment length and permeability are lumped to define an effective connected fracture length, a parameter that correlates with production. Neural network-based inverse modeling is performed to estimate effective connected fracture length using tracer data. A new method to analyze chemical tracer data which includes the effect of flow and geomechanics on tracer flowback is presented. The proposed approach can help in estimating the degree of connectivity between the wellbore and created hydraulic fractures.

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Section: Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fluid Flow and Geomechanics Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diagnosing Hydraulic Fracture Geometry, Complexity, and Fracture Wellbore Connectivity Using Chemical Tracer Flowback

Kumar

Sharma

2020

Energies

Self Cite

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“…However, their study is mainly focused on the fluid flow aspect, and the geomechanical effects have not been considered in detail. Zhou et al (Zhou et al, 2019) and Zheng et al (Zheng, 2019;Zheng et al, 2020) conducted the hydromechanical coupling simulations to study the impacts of proppant distribution and closure of fracture on cumulative gas production, while they ignored the displacement discontinuity at hydraulic fractures, which is significant for the stress change around these fractures. Due to the geomechanical effects being considered by using the over-simplification method in these studies, Yan et al (Yan et al, 2020) developed a fully coupled geomechanics and gas transport model, in which the displacement discontinuity was simulated by using the stabilized extended finite element method, to investigate the impacts of partially supported fracture closure on well performance in shale gas reservoirs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the Impacts of Nonuniform Proppant Distribution and Fracture Closure on Well Performance in Shale Gas Reservoirs

et al. 2022

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The nonuniform distribution of proppant in hydraulic fractures is an essential factor determining the accuracy of well performance evaluation in shale gas reservoirs. In particular, unpropped and propped parts hold distinct closure behavior. To study the impacts of distinct closure behavior between unpropped and propped parts in fracture on gas production, we combine the proppant transport simulation and the 3D hydromechanical coupling simulation. This study quantitatively indicates the significant effects of nonuniform proppant distribution and fracture closure on well performance in shale gas reservoirs. By comparing the well performances with three kinds of typical proppant distribution at the same injection volume, the distribution accumulating near the wellbore is recommended as it can reduce the impact of unpropped fracture and exploit more gas. In addition, the cases with higher natural fracture permeability are found to have less difference in the well performance with different proppant coverages. Therefore, the impacts of nonuniform proppant distribution and fracture closure on well performance in shale gas reservoirs should be investigated comprehensively.

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A Novel Integrated DFN-Fracturing-Reservoir Model: A Case Study

et al. 2023

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Simulating Production from Complex Fracture Networks: Impact of Geomechanics and Closure of Propped/Unpropped Fractures

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Diagnosing Hydraulic Fracture Geometry, Complexity, and Fracture Wellbore Connectivity Using Chemical Tracer Flowback

Diagnosing Hydraulic Fracture Geometry, Complexity, and Fracture Wellbore Connectivity Using Chemical Tracer Flowback

Investigating the Impacts of Nonuniform Proppant Distribution and Fracture Closure on Well Performance in Shale Gas Reservoirs

A Novel Integrated DFN-Fracturing-Reservoir Model: A Case Study

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