A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs

Bowen Hu, Jianguo Wang and Zhanguo Ma
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Bowen Hu: State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Jianguo Wang: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Zhanguo Ma: School of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: A fractal discrete fracture network based model was proposed for the gas production prediction from a fractured shale reservoir. Firstly, this model was established based on the fractal distribution of fracture length and a fractal permeability model of shale matrix which coupled the multiple flow mechanisms of slip flow, Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, and multilayer adsorption. Then, a numerical model was formulated with the governing equations of gas transport in both a shale matrix and fracture network system and the deformation equation of the fractured shale reservoir. Thirdly, this numerical model was solved within the platform of COMSOL Multiphysics (a finite element software) and verified through three fractal discrete fracture networks and the field data of gas production from two shale wells. Finally, the sensitivity analysis was conducted on fracture length fractal dimension, pore size distribution, and fracture permeability. This study found that cumulative gas production increases up to 113% when the fracture fractal length dimension increases from 1.5 to the critical value of 1.7. The gas production rate declines more rapidly for a larger fractal dimension (up to 1.7). Wider distribution of pore sizes (either bigger maximum pore size or smaller minimum pore size or both) can increase the matrix permeability and is beneficial to cumulative gas production. A linear relationship is observed between the fracture permeability and the cumulative gas production. Thus, the fracture permeability can significantly impact shale gas production.

Keywords: fractal discrete fractal network; fractured shale reservoir; fractal dimension; pore size distribution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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