Numerical simulation of hydraulic fracture propagation in tight oil reservoirs by volumetric fracturing

Volumetric fracturing is a primary stimulation technology for economical and effective exploitation of tight oil reservoirs. The main mechanism is to connect natural fractures to generate a fracture network system which can enhance the stimulated reservoir volume. By using the combined finite and discrete element method, a model was built to describe hydraulic fracture propagation in tight oil reservoirs. Considering the effect of horizontal stress difference, number and spacing of perforation clus- ters, injection rate, and the density of natural fractures on fracture propagation, we used this model to simulate the fracture propagation in a tight formation of a certain oil- field. Simulation results show that when the horizontal stress difference is lower than 5 MPa, it is beneficial to form a complex fracture network system. If the horizontal stress difference is higher than 6 MPa, it is easy to form a planar fracture system; with high horizontal stress differ- ence, increasing the number of perforation clusters is beneficial to open and connect more natural fractures, and to improve the complexity of fracture network and the stimulated reservoir volume （SRV）. As the injection rate increases, the effect of volumetric fracturing may be improved; the density of natural fractures may only have a great influence on the effect of volume stimulation in a low horizontal stress difference.

Practice and knowledge of volumetric development of deep fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs in Tarim Basin, NW China

Different from the continental layered sandstone and fracture-pore carbonate reservoirs, the fractured-vuggy carbonate reservoirs in the Tarim Basin are mainly composed of fractured-vuggy bodies of different sizes and shapes. Based on years of study on the geological features, flow mechanisms, high-precision depiction and the recovery mode of fractured-vuggy bodies, the idea of “volumetric development” is proposed and put into practice. A “body by body” production methodology is established with respect to volumetric unit of fractures and vugs based on vuggy body’s spatial allocation and reserves. A variety of development wells, various technological methods, and multi-type injection media are used to develop this type of reservoirs in an all-around way. As a result, the resource and production structures of the Tahe oilfield are significantly improved and a highly efficient development is achieved.

基于最优SRV的页岩气水平井压裂簇间距优化设计

水平井分段分簇压裂时的簇间距大小对页岩气藏的压裂改造效果具有重要影响,过小的簇间距设计将导致分簇主裂缝之间的改造区重叠,降低压裂改造效率;而过大的簇间距设计则会在主裂缝之间产生未改造区,影响储层的动用程度。目前的簇间距优化设计主要基于静态模式下进行且以储层潜在改造区为目标,没有发展与实际压裂过程相吻合并以动态储层改造体积(SRV)为目标的簇间距设计方法。为此,考虑裂缝扩展、压裂液滤失和应力干扰相互耦合的作用机制,建立了分簇裂缝扩展下的动态SRV计算模型,以最优SRV为体积压裂设计的目标,对簇间距进行优化设计。在四川盆地涪陵地区焦石坝页岩气田开展了簇间距优化实例应用,验证了所建立方法的可靠性,分析了影响最优簇间距的关键地质工程参数,并针对该气田南、北不同区块不同地质特征,分别绘制了最优簇间距设计参考图版。结论认为,所建立的簇间距优化设计方法对改善目前分簇射孔的盲目性、指导页岩气藏体积压裂优化设计具有重要的作用和意义。

页岩气藏SRV区域气体扩散与渗流耦合模型

页岩气藏有效开发的前提是储层大规模整体压裂形成有效流动的复杂缝网系统,即所谓的SRV区域,而准确描述该区域气体的流动规律是页岩气井产能评价与开发动态预测的基础。SRV区域由各种大小不同的基岩块与裂缝网络组成,二者的流动规律完全不同,基岩以扩散为主,裂缝以渗流为主。根据页岩储层基岩和裂缝的孔隙度、渗透率参数与吸附、扩散及渗流特征,分别建立二者的物质平衡方程,推导SRV区域基岩与裂缝中气体扩散与渗流的连续性方程;根据体积一致性的原理,为了方便计算,将体积压裂后的立方体基岩块简化为球体,结合球体截面拟稳态流动特征假设,运用Fick扩散定律和基质与裂缝中气体的密度函数推导出了气体的窜流方程,连续性方程与窜流方程的有机耦合可以有效描述SRV区域气体复杂的输运规律。研究结果表明,基岩扩散能力和体积压裂形成的基岩块大小(即压裂规模),共同决定着页岩气井的产能大小及稳产时间。实例计算结果表明,四川盆地长宁—威远地区A井区基岩扩散能力弱,约为10^(-5) cm^2/s,基岩块体积较大,等效球体半径约6.2 m,降低了气体由基岩向裂缝的窜流能力,因而大大影响了该气井的产能。结论认为,增加体积压裂规模、提高SRV区域内缝网密度是页岩气藏高效开发的重要手段。

页岩储层SRV影响因素分析

为了计算页岩储层压裂改造体积,建立了与施工参数相关联的储层改造体积SRV(Stimulated Reservoir Volume)计算模型。应用该模型研究了弹性模量、泊松比、地应力差、储层厚度等因素对储层改造体积的影响,分析得知泊松比和水平主应力差存在临界值,分别为0.36 MPa和6 MPa,超过临界值后难于形成缝网。通过页岩储层实例分析得出储层改造体积随着压裂排量的增加而增大,施工排量存在一个最佳值10 m3/min;储层改造体积随着液量的增加而增大,增幅先增后减;增大施工压力可增大储层改造体积,但增幅不明显。该模型为页岩储层体积压裂施工参数优选和改造体积预测提供参考。

基于微地震数据的SRV计算方法及工程应用

页岩储层改造体积(SRV)是体积压裂施工评价的关键指标。由于微地震数据在空间上的不均匀和不规则分布,已有的方法通过构建规则的几何包络体来估算SRV具有较大的计算误差。因此,本文提出了一种基于三维不规则包络体的SRV的方法,该方法综合了Kmeans聚类分析和Delaunay三角剖分来实现三维不规则边界识别。首先采用K-means三维聚类方法对压裂过程微地震事件点进行聚类分析,将观测结果按照空间位置相似性分成不同的点云集合,其次利用Delaunay三角剖分中alpha-shape方法识别每一个集合的三维不规则凸面体,分别计算每一个凸面体的体积并累加得到总的SRV。实例应用结果表明:和传统模型相比,该模型得到的不规则包络体和微地震监测结果吻合度更好,能够有效排除未响应区域的带来的计算误差,在无需预测裂缝扩展的情况下快速得到体积压裂的SRV,实现同一口水平井不同压裂段的SRV精细计算,并且包络体具有可收缩性,通过校正收缩因子和聚类数目进行校正可得特定区块较为精确的SRV结果。

A review of development methods and EOR technologies for carbonate reservoirs

Carbonate reservoirs worldwide are complex in structure,diverse in form,and highly heterogeneous.Based on these characteristics,the reservoir stimulation technologies and fluid flow characteristics of carbonate reservoirs are briefly described in this study.The development methods and EOR technologies of carbonate reservoirs are systematically summarized,the relevant mechanisms are analyzed,and the application status of oil fields is catalogued.The challenges in the development of carbonate reservoirs are discussed,and future research directions are explored.In the current development processes of carbonate reservoirs,water flooding and gas flooding remain the primary means but are often prone to channeling problems.Chemical flooding is an effective method of tertiary oil recovery,but the harsh formation conditions require high-performance chemical agents.The application of emerging technologies can enhance the oil recovery efficiency and environmental friendliness to a certain extent,which is welcome in hard-to-recover areas such as heavy oil reservoirs,but the economic cost is often high.In future research on EOR technologies,flow field control and flow channel plugging will be the potential directions of traditional development methods,and the application of nanoparticles will revolutionize the chemical EOR methods.On the basis of diversified reservoir stimulation,combined with a variety of modern data processing schemes,multichannel EOR technologies are being developed to realize the systematic,intelligent,and cost-effective development of carbonate reservoirs.

Interpretation of Temperature Profiles during Soak Periods in Steam-stimulated Wells

To address the problems existing in testing steam injection profiles in a steam-stimulated well during steam injection and production periods, this paper proposes that the temperature profile in the completion interval could be tested during the soak period. A mathematical model for calculating the vertical distribution of temperature in a single layer reservoir is established based on the temperature characteristics of steam stimulated reservoirs, and the vertical distribution of temperature in a single layer reservoir could be obtained and heat loss could be calculated. The temperature, which is disturbed by thermal conduction in a multilayer reservoir, and heat loss could be derived based on the superposition principle of temperature potential. This paper establishes a multilayer testing temperature profile interpretation method and interprets the actual test temperature profile of Well Gao 3-7-66. The results indicate that the temperature profile in the soak period can reflect the thermal absorption conditions in various reservoir beds.

Progress and development directions of shale oil reservoir stimulation technology of China National Petroleum Corporation

By reviewing the development history of shale oil reservoir stimulation technology of PetroChina Company Limited(PetroChina),we have systematically summarized the main progress of shale oil reservoir stimulation technology of CNPC in five aspects:reservoir stimulation mechanism,fracture-controlled fracturing,geological-engineering integrated reservoir stimulation design platform,low-cost materials,and large well-pad three-dimensional development mode.It is made clear that the major stimulation technology for shale oil reservoir is the high density multi-cluster and fracture-controlled staged fracturing aiming to increase fracture-controlled reserves,lower operation costs and increase economic benefits.Based on comprehensive analysis of the challenges shale oil reservoir stimulation technology faces in three-dimensional development,stimulation parameter optimization for fracture-controlled fracturing,refracturing and low-cost stimulation technology,we proposed five development directions of the stimulation technology:(1)Strengthen the research on integration of geology and engineering to make full use of reservoir stimulation.(2)Deepen the study on fracture-controlled fracturing to improve reserves development degree.(3)Promote horizontal well three-dimensional development of shale oil to realize the production of multiple layers vertically.(4)Research refracturing technology of shale oil reservoir through horizontal well to efficiently tap the remaining reserves between fractures.(5)Develop low-cost stimulation supporting technology to help reduce the cost and increase economic benefit of oilfield development.

The role of natural fracture activation in hydraulic fracturing for deep unconventional geo-energy reservoir stimulation

The presence of sealed or semi-sealed,multiscale natural fracture systems appears to be crucial for the successful stimulation of deep reservoirs.To explore the reaction of such systems to reservoir stimulation,a new numerical simulation approach for hydraulic stimulation has been developed,trying to establish a realistic model of the physics involved.Our new model successfully reproduces dynamic fracture activation,network generation,and overall reservoir permeability enhancement.Its outputs indicate that natural fractures facilitate stimulation far beyond the near-wellbore area,and can significantly improve the hydraulic conductivity of unconventional geo-energy reservoirs.According to our model,the fracture activation patterns are jointly determined by the occurrence of natural fractures and the in situ stress.High-density natural fractures,high-fluid pressure,and low effective stress environments promote the formation of complex fracture networks during stimulation.Multistage or multicluster fracturing treatments with an appropriate spacing also increase the stimulated reservoir area(SRA).The simulation scheme demonstrated in this work offers the possibility to elucidate the complex multiphysical couplings seen in the field through detailed site-specific modeling.

Microseismic Imaging of Hydraulically Induced-Fractures in Gas Reservoirs: A Case Study in Barnett Shale Gas Reservoir, Texas, USA

Microseismic technology has been proven to be a practical approach for in-situ monitoring of fracture growth during hydraulic fracture stimulations. Microseismic monitoring has rapidly evolved in acquisition methodology, data processing, and in this paper, we evaluate the progression of this technology with emphasis on their applications in Barnett shale gas reservoir. Microseismic data analysis indicates a direct proportion between microseismic moment magnitude and depth, yet no relation between microseismic activity and either injection rate or injection volume has been observed. However, large microseismic magnitudes have been recorded where hydraulic fracturing stimulation approaches a fault and therefore the geologic framework should be integrated in such programs. In addition, the geometry of fracture growth resulted by proppant interactions with naturally fractured formations follows unpredictable fashion due to redirecting the injection fluids along flow paths associated with the pre-existing fault network in the reservoir. While microseismic imaging is incredibly useful in revealing the fracture geometry and the way the fracture evolves, recently several concerns have been raised regarding the capability of microseismic data to provide the fracture dimensional parameters and the fracture mechanism that could provide detailed information for reservoir characterization.

基于微地震事件点的SRV拟合方法比较研究

针对噪声影响下基于微地震事件点的改造体积(SRV)计算不准确的问题,开展了微地震事件SRV拟合算法研究。采用三维水力压裂模型来模拟主裂缝扩展和压裂液由裂缝向基质扩散的过程,依据断裂准则和临界孔隙压力来判断所引发的微地震事件,进而得到水力压裂SRV。基于异常点概念,采用各算法拟合去异常点前、后的微地震事件点集,进而得到相应的SRV,并与水力压裂模拟求得的SRV对比。结果表明,异常点处理可以降低噪声对3种拟合算法计算SRV的影响;面元算法虽然较为保守,但微地震事件SRV与水力压裂SRV相差不大,且具有较好的稳定性和抗噪性;三维狄洛尼三角剖分和最小体积覆盖椭球两种算法所得的微地震事件拟合SRV虽然与水力压裂SRV误差相对较大,但这两种方法不仅从数学领域清楚地划分了微地震活动区域,且提供了更详细、更定量化的SRV几何结构。

Progress and development directions of stimulation techniques for ultra-deep oil and gas reservoirs

By reviewing the development history of stimulation techniques for deep/ultra-deep oil and gas reservoirs,the new progress in this field in China and abroad has been summed up,including deeper understanding on formation mechanisms of fracture network in deep/ultra-deep oil and gas reservoir,performance improvement of fracturing fluid materials,fine stratification of ultra-deep vertical wells,and mature staged multi-cluster fracturing technique for ultra-deep and highly deviated wells/horizontal wells.In light of the exploration and development trend of ultra-deep oil and gas reservoirs in China,the requirements and technical difficulties in ultra-deep oil and gas reservoir stimulation are discussed:(1)The research and application of integrated geological engineering technology is difficult.(2)The requirements on fracturing materials for stimulation are high.(3)It is difficult to further improve the production in vertical profile of the ultra-deep and hugely thick reservoirs.(4)The requirements on tools and supporting high-pressure equipment on the ground for stimulation are high.(5)It is difficult to achieve efficient stimulation of ultra-deep,high-temperature and high-pressure wells.(6)It is difficult to monitor directly the reservoir stimulation and evaluate the stimulation effect accurately after stimulation.In line with the complex geological characteristics of ultra-deep oil and gas reservoirs in China,seven technical development directions are proposed:(1)To establish systematic new techniques for basic research and evaluation experiments;(2)to strengthen geological research and improve the operational mechanism of integrating geological research and engineering operation;(3)to develop high-efficiency fracturing materials for ultra-deep reservoirs;(4)to research separated layer fracturing technology for ultra-deep and hugely thick reservoirs;(5)to explore fracture-control stimulation technology for ultra-deep horizontal well;(6)to develop direct monitoring technology for hydraulic fractures in ultra-deep oil and gas reservoirs;(7)to develop downhole fracturing tools with high temperature and high pressure tolerance and supporting wellhead equipment able to withstand high pressure.

Theories and practices of carbonate reservoirs development in China

Carbonate reservoirs in China have the characteristics of diversified accumulation pattern, complex structure and varying reservoir conditions. Concerning these characteristics, this article tracks the technical breakthroughs and related practices since the 1950 s, summarizes the developed theory and technologies of carbonate reservoir development, analyzes their adaptability and problems, and proposes their development trend. The following theory and technologies have come into being:(1) carbonate reservoir formation mechanisms and compound flow mechanisms in complex medium;(2) reservoir identification and description technologies based on geophysics and discrete fracture-vuggy modeling method;(3) well testing analysis technology and numerical simulation method of coupling free flow and porous media flow;(4) enhanced oil recovery techniques for nitrogen single well huff and puff, and water flooding development techniques with well pattern design in spatial structure, changed intensity water injection, water plugging and channel blocking as the core;(5) drilling and completion techniques, acid fracturing techniques and its production increasing techniques. To realize the efficient development of carbonate oil and gas reservoirs, researches in four aspects need to be done:(1) complex reservoir description technology with higher accuracy;(2) various enhanced oil recovery techniques;(3) improving the drilling method and acid fracturing method for ultra-deep carbonate reservoir and significantly cutting engineering cost;(4) strengthening the technological integration of information, big data, cloud computation, and artificial intelligence in oilfield development to realize the smart development of oilfield.

A novel approach of tight oil reservoirs stimulation based on fracture controlling optimization and design

To deal with the stress interference caused by simultaneous propagation of multiple fractures and the wettability reversal and physical property changes of the reservoir caused by fracturing fluid getting in during large-volume fracturing of tight oil reservoirs through a horizontal well, a non-planar 3D fracture growth model was built, wettability reversal characterizing parameters and change of relative permeability curve were introduced to correct the production prediction model of fractured horizontal well, a fracturing design optimization software(Fr Smart) by integrating geological and engineering data was developed, and a fracturing design optimization approach for tight oil reservoirs based on fracture control was worked out. The adaptability of the method was analyzed and the fracture parameters of horizontal wells in tight oil reservoirs were optimized. The simulation results show that fracturing technology based on fracture control is suitable for tight oil reservoirs, and by optimizing fracture parameters, this technology makes it possible to produce the maximum amount of reserves in the well-controlled unit of unconventional reservoirs. The key points of fracturing design optimization based on fracture control include increasing lateral length of and reducing the row spacing between horizontal wells, increasing perforation clusters in one stage to decrease the spacing of neighboring fractures, and also avoiding interference of old and new fracturing wells. Field tests show that this technology can increase single well production and ultimate recovery. Using this technology in developing unconventional resources such as tight oil reservoirs in China will enhance the economics significantly.

Numerical Simulation Study on the Effect of Horizontal Well Reservoir Stimulation for Gas Hydrate Production

A new gas hydrate reservoir stimulation method of in-situ fracturing with transient heating is proposed, in line with analysis of the technological bottlenecks faced by marine gas hydrate production. This method injects the developed chemical reagents into a hydrate reservoir through hydraulic fracturing, releasing heat during the chemical reaction to increase the hydrate decomposition rate. The chemical reaction product furthermore has a honeycomb structure to support fractures and increase reservoir permeability. Based on the geological model of natural gas hydrate in the South China Sea, three development methods are simulated to evaluate hydrate production capacity, consisting of horizontal well, fractured horizontal well and in-situ fracturing with transient heating well. Compared with the horizontal well, the simulation results show that the cumulative gas production of the fractured horizontal well in one year is 7 times that of the horizontal well, while the cumulative gas production of in-situ fracturing with transient heating well is 12 times that of the horizontal well, which significantly improves daily efficiency and cumulative gas production. In addition, the variation patterns of hydrate saturation and temperature-pressure fields with production time for the three exploitation plans are presented, it being found that three sensitive parameters of fracture conductivity, fracture half-length and fracture number are positively correlated with hydrate production enhancement. Through the simulations, basic data and theoretical support for the optimization of gas hydrate reservoir stimulation scheme has been provided.

基于微地震连续裂缝网络模型的SRV研究

在干热岩的开发和改造阶段,需要对储层进行水力压裂改造,储层改造体积(stimulated reservoir volume,SRV)是评价压裂效果的主要标准。微地震监测作为水力压裂的技术环节之一,可以对储层改造体积进行有效估算。本文探讨了基于微地震连续裂缝网络模型的SRV计算方法,以指导干热岩的水力压裂工作。首先,基于微震事件时空分布特征与多项震源参数进行连续裂缝网络建模;其次,提取裂缝网格长度,并选取适当的裂缝高度与裂缝宽度以计算储层改造体积;最后,选取某双井型干热岩微地震监测数据对该方法进行实际应用。实例应用结果表明,该方法可有效估算储层改造体积,为干热岩后续开发与改造提供依据。

Permeability damage micro-mechanisms and stimulation of low-permeability sandstone reservoirs: A case study from Jiyang Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

According to the characteristics of"structural elements"(framework grain,interstitial material and pore throat structure)of low-permeability sandstone reservoir,the"step by step dissolution and separation"acidification and acid fracturing technology has been developed and tested in field.There are three main mechanisms affecting permeability of low-permeability sandstone reservoir:(1)The mud fillings between the framework grains block the seepage channels.(2)In the process of burial,the products from crystallization caused by changes in salinity and solubility and uneven migration and variation of the syn-sedimentary formation water occupy the pores and throat between grains.(3)Under the action of gradual increase of overburden pressure,the framework grains of the rock is compacted tighter,making the seepage channels turn narrower.The"step by step dissolution and separation"acidification(acid fracturing)technology uses sustained release acid as main acidizing fluid,supramolecular solvent instead of hydrochloric acid to dissolve carbonate,and a composite system of ammonium hydrogen fluoride,fluoroboric acid,and fluorophosphoric acid to dissolve silicate,and dissolving and implementing step by step,finally reaching the goal of increasing porosity and permeability.By using the technology,the main blocking interstitial material can be dissolved effectively and the dissolution residual can be removed from the rock frame,thus expanding the effective drainage radius and increasing production and injection of single well.This technology has been proved effective by field test.

Practice and development suggestions of hydraulic fracturing technology in the Gulong shale oil reservoirs of Songliao Basin, NE China

This paper reviews the multiple rounds of upgrades of the hydraulic fracturing technology used in the Gulong shale oil reservoirs and gives suggestions about stimulation technology development in relation to the production performance of Gulong shale oil wells.Under the control of high-density bedding fractures,fracturing in the Gulong shale results in a complex fracture morphology,yet with highly suppressed fracture height and length.Hydraulic fracturing fails to generate artificial fractures with sufficient lengths and heights,which is a main restraint on the effective stimulation in the Gulong shale oil reservoirs.In this regard,the fracturing design shall follow the strategy of"controlling near-wellbore complex fractures and maximizing the extension of main fractures"Increasing the proportions of guar gum fracturing fluids,reducing perforation clusters within one fracturing stage,raising pump rates and appropriately exploiting stress interference are conducive to fracture propagation and lead to a considerably expanded stimulated reservoir volume(SRV).The upgraded main hydraulic fracturing technology is much more applicable to the Gulong shale oil reservoirs.It accelerates the oil production with a low flowback rate and lifts oil cut during the initial production of well groups,which both help to improve well production.It is suggested to optimize the hydraulic fracturing technology in six aspects,namely,suppressing propagation of near-wellbore microfractures,improving the pumping scheme of CO_(2),managing the perforating density,enhancing multi-proppant combination,reviewing well pattern/spacing,and discreetly applying fiber-assisted injection,so as to improve the SRv,the distal fracture complexity and the long-term fracture conductivity.

Proppant transport in rough fractures of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs

A method to generate fractures with rough surfaces was proposed according to the fractal interpolation theory.Considering the particle-particle,particle-wall and particle-fluid interactions,a proppant-fracturing fluid two-phase flow model based on computational fluid dynamics(CFD)-discrete element method(DEM)coupling was established.The simulation results were verified with relevant experimental data.It was proved that the model can match transport and accumulation of proppants in rough fractures well.Several cases of numerical simulations were carried out.Compared with proppant transport in smooth flat fractures,bulge on the rough fracture wall affects transport and settlement of proppants significantly in proppant transportation in rough fractures.The higher the roughness of fracture,the faster the settlement of proppant particles near the fracture inlet,the shorter the horizontal transport distance,and the more likely to accumulate near the fracture inlet to form a sand plugging in a short time.Fracture wall roughness could control the migration path of fracturing fluid to a certain degree and change the path of proppant filling in the fracture.On the one hand,the rough wall bulge raises the proppant transport path and the proppants flow out of the fracture,reducing the proppant sweep area.On the other hand,the sand-carrying fluid is prone to change flow direction near the contact point of bulge,thus expanding the proppant sweep area.