Optimization of Shale Gas Production by Advanced Hydraulic Fracturing

Authors: Fazl Ullah, Rahmat Ullah

Abstract:

This paper shows a comprehensive learning focused on the optimization of gas production in shale gas reservoirs through hydraulic fracturing. Shale gas has emerged as an important unconventional vigor resource, necessitating innovative techniques to enhance its extraction. The key objective of this study is to examine the influence of fracture parameters on reservoir productivity and formulate strategies for production optimization. A sophisticated model integrating gas flow dynamics and real stress considerations is developed for hydraulic fracturing in multi-stage shale gas reservoirs. This model encompasses distinct zones: a single-porosity medium region, a dual-porosity average region, and a hydraulic fracture region. The apparent permeability of the matrix and fracture system is modeled using principles like effective stress mechanics, porous elastic medium theory, fractal dimension evolution, and fluid transport apparatuses. The developed model is then validated using field data from the Barnett and Marcellus formations, enhancing its reliability and accuracy. By solving the partial differential equation by means of COMSOL software, the research yields valuable insights into optimal fracture parameters. The findings reveal the influence of fracture length, diversion capacity, and width on gas production. For reservoirs with higher permeability, extending hydraulic fracture lengths proves beneficial, while complex fracture geometries offer potential for low-permeability reservoirs. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of hydraulic cracking dynamics in shale gas reservoirs and provides essential guidance for optimizing gas production. The research findings are instrumental for energy industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers alike, shaping the future of sustainable energy extraction from unconventional resources.

Keywords: Fluid-solid coupling, apparent permeability, shale gas reservoir, fracture property, numerical simulation.

References:

[1] Kreps BH. The rising costs of fossil‐fuel extraction: an energy crisis that will not go away. American journal of economics and sociology. 2020 May;79(3):695-717.
[2] Badjadi MA, Zhu H, Zhang C, Naseem MH. Enhancing Water Management in Shale Gas Extraction through Rectangular Pulse Hydraulic Fracturing. Sustainability. 2023 Jul 10;15(14):10795.
[3] Suppachoknirun, T., & Tutuncu, A. N. (2017). Hydraulic fracturing and production optimization in Eagle Ford shale using coupled geomechanics and fluid flow model. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 50, 3361-3378.
[4] Eyinla DS, Leggett S, Badrouchi F, Emadi H, Adamolekun OJ, Akinsanpe OT. A comprehensive review of the potential of rock properties alteration during CO2 injection for EOR and storage. Fuel. 2023 Dec 1;353:129219.
[1] He, X. (2022). Fluid Flow in Fractured Rocks: Analysis and Modeling (Doctoral dissertation).
[2] Fan X, Li G, Shah SN, Tian S, Sheng M. Analysis of a fully coupled gas flow and deformation process in fractured shale gas reservoirs. J Nat Gas Sci Eng. 2015;27:901-913.
[3] Wang JG, Liu J, Kabir A. Combined effects of directional compaction, non-Darcy flow and anisotropic swelling on coal seam gas extraction. Int J Coal Geol. 2013;109:1-14.
[4] Zhao Y, Jiang H, Rahman S, Yuan Y, Zhao L, Li J, Ge J, Li J. Three-dimensional representation of discrete fracture matrix model for fractured reservoirs. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 2019 Sep 1;180:886-900.
[5] Hui MH, Karimi-Fard M, Mallison B, Durlofsky LJ. A general modeling framework for simulating complex recovery processes in fractured reservoirs at different resolutions. SPE Journal. 2018 Apr 12;23(02):598-613.
[6] Olorode O, Wang B, Rashid HU. Three-dimensional projection-based embedded discrete-fracture model for compositional simulation of fractured reservoirs. SPE Journal. 2020 Aug 13;25(04):2143-61.
[7] Wang, J., Wei, Y., Pan, Y., & Yu, W.. Optimization Method for Fracture-Network Design Under Transient and Pseudosteady Condition Using UFD Technique and Deep Learning Approach. In SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference (p. D031S075R002). 2023 June URTEC.
[8] Weng X, Kresse O, Chuprakov D, Cohen CE, Prioul R, Ganguly U. Applying complex fracture model and integrated workflow in unconventional reservoirs. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 2014 Dec 1;124:468-83.
[9] Yu W, Hu X, Wu K, Sepehrnoori K, Olson JE. Coupled fracture-propagation and semianalytical models to optimize shale gas production. SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering. 2017 Nov 16;20(04):1004-19.
[10] Xu S, Feng Q, Li Y, Wang S. An integrated workflow for fracture propagation and reservoir simulation in tight oil. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. 2019 Aug 1;179:1159-72.
[11] Salah M, Ibrahim M. Engineered fracture spacing staging and perforation cluster spacing optimization for multistage fracturing horizontal wells. InSPE annual technical conference and exhibition 2018 Sep 24. OnePetro.
[12] Tomac, I., & Gutierrez, M. (2020). Micromechanics of hydraulic fracturing and damage in rock based on DEM modeling. Granular Matter, 22, 1-17.
[13] Ghanizadeh A, Clarkson CR, Clarke KM, Yang Z, Rashidi B, Vahedian A, Song C, DeBuhr C, Haghshenas B, Ardakani OH, Sanei H. Effects of entrained hydrocarbon and organic-matter components on reservoir quality of organic-rich shales: implications for “sweet spot” identification and enhanced-oil-recovery applications in the Duvernay formation (Canada). SPE journal. 2020 Jun 11;25(03):1351-76.
[14] Lee AL, Gonzalez MH, Eakin BE. The viscosity of natural gases. J Petrol Technol. 1966;18(08):997-1000.
[15] Jin, H., Liu, C., Guo, Z., Zhang, Y., Niu, C., Wang, D., & Ling, Y. (2021). Rock physical modeling and seismic dispersion attribute inversion for the characterization of a tight gas sandstone reservoir. Frontiers in Earth Science, 9, 641651.
[16] Pogrebnyak, V. G., Chudyk, I. I., & Perkun, I. V. (2022). Solutions of polymers in the oil and gas technologies. Prospects for Developing Resource-Saving Technologies in Mineral Mining and Processing, 110.
[17] Arias Ortiz, D., Bounceur, N., & Patzek, T. W. (2022, September). Validation and Analysis of the Physics-Based Scaling Curve Method for Ultimate Recovery Prediction in Hy-Draulically Fractured Shale Gas Wells. In SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition? (p. D031S060R003). SPE.
[18] Men, X., Tao, S., Liu, Z., Tian, W., & Chen, S. (2021). Experimental study on gas mass transfer process in a heterogeneous coal reservoir. Fuel Processing Technology, 216, 106779.
[19] Kong, B., Chen, S., Chen, Z., & Zhou, Q. (2020). Bayesian probabilistic dual-flow-regime decline curve analysis for complex production profile evaluation. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 195, 107623.
[20] Pearson, C. M., Fowler, G., Stribling, K. M., McChesney, J., McClure, M., McGuigan, T., ... & Wildt, P. (2020, October). Near-wellbore deposition of high conductivity proppant to improve effective fracture conductivity and productivity of horizontal well stimulations. In SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. OnePetro.
[21] Wang, W., & Taleghani, A. D. (2017). Impact of hydraulic fracturing on cement sheath integrity; A modelling approach. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 44, 265-277.
[22] Aabø, T. M., Oldfield, S. J., Yuan, H., Kammann, J., Sørensen, E. V., Stemmerik, L., & Nielsen, L. (2023). Establishing a High Resolution 3D Fracture Dataset in Chalk: Possibilities and Obstacles Working with Outcrop Data. In Geomechanical Controls on Fracture Development in Chalk and Marl in the Danish North Sea: Understanding and Predicting Fracture Systems (pp. 9-46). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
[23] Quosay, A. A., Knez, D., & Ziaja, J. (2020). Hydraulic fracturing: New uncertainty based modeling approach for process design using Monte Carlo simulation technique. PLoS One, 15(7), e0236726.
[24] Lin, M., Chen, S., Ding, W., Chen, Z., & Xu, J. (2015). Effect of fracture geometry on well production in hydraulic-fractured tight oil reservoirs. Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, 54(03), 183-194.
[25] Tang, R., Xie, J., Xue, S., Zhang, Z., Liu, J., & Yang, B. (2022). Research on seepage characteristics of Y-shaped fractures under different fracture roughness. Geofluids, 2022.
[26] Zhao, H., Wu, K., Huang, Z., Xu, Z., Shi, H., & Wang, H. (2021). Numerical model of CO2 fracturing in naturally fractured reservoirs. Engineering Fracture Mechanics, 244, 107548.
[27] Xu, S., Guo, J., Feng, Q., Ren, G., Li, Y., & Wang, S. (2022). Optimization of hydraulic fracturing treatment parameters to maximize economic benefit in tight oil. Fuel, 329, 125329.
[28] Fu, S., Yu, J., Zhang, K., Liu, H., Ma, B., & Su, Y. (2020). Investigation of multistage hydraulic fracture optimization design methods in horizontal shale oil wells in the Ordos Basin. Geofluids, 2020, 1-17.