Numerical simulation on the effect of fractures geometries for shale gas development with discrete fracture network model

• Published in: Journal of petroleum exploration and production technology Vol. 11; no. 3; pp. 1289 - 1301
• Main Authors: Liu, Songze, Wei, Jianguang, Ma, Yuanyuan, Liu, Xuemei, Yan, Bingxu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.03.2021; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Apertures; Computational fluid dynamics; Darcys law; Discrete natural fracture network; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Energy Systems; Fluid flow; Fracture geometry; Fracture permeability; Gas flow; Geology; Hydraulic fracture; Hydraulic fracturing; Hydraulics; Industrial and Production Engineering; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Length; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Matrix methods; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Natural gas exploration; Numerical simulation; Offshore Engineering; Original Paper-Production Engineering; Permeability; Production increases; Reservoirs; Rocks; Sedimentary rocks; Seepage; Shale; Shale gas; Shales; Discrete natural fracture network; Hydraulic fracture; Numerical simulation; Fracture geometry; Shale gas
• ISSN: 2190-0558; 2190-0566
• DOI: 10.1007/s13202-021-01089-2

The shale gas reservoir is regarded as a dual medium consisting of fracture (hydraulic fracture and discrete natural fracture network) and rock matrix, the seepage process in the fracture and rock matrix is fully considered and a mathematical model of seepage flow in accordance with Darcy's law was established. The results show the influence order of hydraulic fracture geometry on the cumulative production. Compared with the hydraulic fracture aperture of 10 –4  m, when the aperture is 10 –5  m and 10 –6  m, the cumulative production is reduced by 88.0% and 99.7%, respectively. Compared with the hydraulic fracture length is 100 m, when the length is 200 m and 300 m, the cumulative production is increased by 38.2% and 62.4%, respectively. The increase in the natural fracture aperture increases the fracture permeability, which make it more conducive to gas flow into the fracture, thereby increasing the cumulative production. The increase in the number of natural fractures makes the connectivity of the shale reservoir becomes better and the cumulative production increases more.