Extreme massive hydraulic fracturing in deep coalbed methane horizontal wells:A case study of the Linxing Block,eastern Ordos Basin,NW China

Deep coal seams show low permeability,low elastic modulus,high Poisson’s ratio,strong plasticity,high fracture initiation pressure,difficulty in fracture extension,and difficulty in proppants addition.We proposed the concept of large-scale stimulation by fracture network,balanced propagation and effective support of fracture network in fracturing design and developed the extreme massive hydraulic fracturing technique for deep coalbed methane(CBM)horizontal wells.This technique involves massive injection with high pumping rate+high-intensity proppant injection+perforation with equal apertures and limited flow+temporary plugging and diverting fractures+slick water with integrated variable viscosity+graded proppants with multiple sizes.The technique was applied in the pioneering test of a multi-stage fracturing horizontal well in deep CBM of Linxing Block,eastern margin of the Ordos Basin.The injection flow rate is 18 m^(3)/min,proppant intensity is 2.1 m^(3)/m,and fracturing fluid intensity is 16.5 m^(3)/m.After fracturing,a complex fracture network was formed,with an average fracture length of 205 m.The stimulated reservoir volume was 1987×10^(4)m^(3),and the peak gas production rate reached 6.0×10^(4)m^(3)/d,which achieved efficient development of deep CBM.

Excess pore pressure behavior and evolution in deep coalbed methane reservoirs

Deep coalbed methane(DCBM),an unconventional gas reservoir,has undergone significant advancements in recent years,sparking a growing interest in assessing pore pressure dynamics within these reservoirs.While some production data analysis techniques have been adapted from conventional oil and gas wells,there remains a gap in the understanding of pore pressure generation and evolution,particularly in wells subjected to large-scale hydraulic fracturing.To address this gap,a novel technique called excess pore pressure analysis(EPPA)has been introduced to the coal seam gas industry for the first time to our knowledge,which employs dual-phase flow principles based on consolidation theory.This technique focuses on the generation and dissipation for excess pore-water pressure(EPWP)and excess pore-gas pressure(EPGP)in stimulated deep coal reservoirs.Equations have been developed respectively and numerical solutions have been provided using the finite element method(FEM).Application of this model to a representative field example reveals that excess pore pressure arises from rapid loading,with overburden weight transferred under undrained condition due to intense hydraulic fracturing,which significantly redistributes the weight-bearing role from the solid coal structure to the injected fluid and liberated gas within artificial pores over a brief timespan.Furthermore,field application indicates that the dissipation of EPWP and EPGP can be actually considered as the process of well production,where methane and water are extracted from deep coalbed methane wells,leading to consolidation for the artificial reservoirs.Moreover,history matching results demonstrate that the excess-pressure model established in this study provides a better explanation for the declining trends observed in both gas and water production curves,compared to conventional practices in coalbed methane reservoir engineering and petroleum engineering.This research not only enhances the understanding of DCBM reservoir behavior but also offers insights applicable to production analysis in other unconventional resources reliant on hydraulic fracturing.

The status and development strategy of coalbed methane industry in China

To achieve the goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality under the backgrounds of poor resource endowments, weak theoretical basis and other factors, the development of the coalbed methane industry of China faces many bottlenecks and challenges. This paper systematically analyzes the coalbed methane resources, key technologies and progress, exploration effect and production performance in China and abroad. The main problems are summarized as low exploration degree, low technical adaptability, low return on investment and small development scale. This study suggests that the coalbed methane industry in China should follow the “two-step”(short-term and long-term) development strategy. The short-term action before 2030, can be divided into two stages:(1) From the present to 2025, to achieve new breakthroughs in theory and technology, and accomplish the target of annual production of 10 billion cubic meters;(2) From 2025 to 2030, to form the technologies suitable for most geological conditions, further expand the industry scale, and achieve an annual output of 30 billion cubic meters, improving the proportion of coalbed methane in the total natural gas production. The long-term action after 2030 is to gradually realize an annual production of 100 billion cubic meters. The strategic countermeasure to achieve the above goals is to adhere to “technology+management dual wheel drive”, realize the synchronous progress of technology and management, and promote the high-quality development of the coalbed methane industry. Technically, the efforts will focus on fine and effective development of coalbed methane in the medium to shallow layers of mature fields, effective development of coalbed methane in new fields, extensive and beneficial development of deep coalbed methane, three-dimensional comingled development of coalbed methane, applying new technologies such as coalbed methane displacement by carbon dioxide, microwave heating and stimulation technology, ultrasonic stimulation, high-temperature heat injection stimulation, rock breaking by high-energy laser. In terms of management, the efforts will focus on coordinative innovation of resource, technology, talent, policy and investment, with technological innovation as the core, to realize an all-round and integrated management and promote the development of coalbed methane industry at a high level.

Integrity and Failure Analysis of Cement Sheath Subjected to Coalbed Methane Fracturing

Perforation and fracturing are typically associated with the development of coalbed methane wells.As the cement sheath is prone to failure during this process,in this work,the effects of the casing pressure,elastic modulus of the cement,elastic modulus of the formation,and casing eccentricity on the resulting stresses are analyzed in the frame of a finite element method.Subsequently,sensitivity response curves of the cement sheath stress are plotted by normalizing all factors.The results show that the maximum circumferential stress and Mises stress of the cement sheath increase with the casing internal pressure,elastic modulus of the cement and casing eccentricity.As the elastic modulus of the formation increases,the maximum circumferential stress of the cement sheath decreases,and its maximum Mises stress increases slightly.The cement sheath undergoes tensile failure during coalbed methane fracturing.The stress sensitivity of the cement sheath to the influential parameters is in the following order:casing internal pressure>elastic modulus of cement sheath>casing eccentricity>elastic modulus of formation.

Fuzzy pattern recognition model of geological sweetspot for coalbed methane development

From the perspective of geological zone selection for coalbed methane(CBM) development, the evaluation parameters(covering geological conditions and production conditions) of geological sweetspot for CBM development are determined, and the evaluation index system of geological sweetspot for CBM development is established. On this basis, the fuzzy pattern recognition(FPR) model of geological sweetspot for CBM development is built. The model is applied to evaluate four units of No.3 Coal Seam in the Fanzhuang Block, southern Qinshui Basin, China. The evaluation results are consistent with the actual development effect and the existing research results, which verifies the rationality and reliability of the FPR model. The research shows that the proposed FPR model of geological sweetspot for CBM development does not involve parameter weighting which leads to uncertainties in the results of the conventional models such as analytic hierarchy process and multi-level fuzzy synthesis judgment, and features a simple computation without the construction of multi-level judgment matrix. The FPR model provides reliable results to support the efficient development of CBM.

Coalbed Methane-bearing Characteristics and Reservoir Physical Properties of Principal Target Areas in North China

The coalbed methane (CBM) resources in North China amounts up to 60% of total resources in China. North China is the most important CBM accumulation area in China. The coal beds of the Upper Paleozoic Taiyuan and Shanxi formations have a stable distribution. The coal reservoir of target areas such as Jincheng, Yanquan-Shouyang, Hancheng, Liulin, etc. have good CBM-bearing characteristics, high permeability and appropriate reservoir pressure, and these areas are the preferred target areas of CBM developing in China. The coal reservoirs of Wupu, Sanjiaobei, Lu'an, Xinmi, Anyang-Hebi, Jiaozuo, Xinggong and Huainan also have as good CBM-bearing characteristics, but the physical properties of coal reservoirs vary observably. So, further work should be taken to search for districts with high pressure, high permeability and good CBM-bearing characteristics. Crustal stresses have severe influence on the permeability of coal reservoirs in North China. From west to east, the crustal stress gradient increases, while the coal reservoirs permeability decreases.

Coalbed methane genesis, occurrence and accumulation in China

Coalbed methane （CBM） is an important type of unconventional gas. Commercial development of CBM in America has been very successful since the 1980s. The CBM industry in Australia and Canada has developed rapidly during the last decade. Commercial development of CBM in China started in the 1990s, and has made great progress. The geological theory of CBM in China has achieved great advancement in genesis, occurrence and accumulation. On the aspect of CBM genesis, five CBM genetic types （primary biogenic gas, secondary biogenic gas, thermal degradation gas, pyrolysis gas and mixed gas） are identified by studying the geochemical characteristics of CBM, and a tracing indicator system is established. The discovery of secondary biogenic gas in medium-high rank coal reservoirs has widened the potential of CBM resources. On the aspect of CBM occurrence, the gas adsorption regulation under combined action of temperature and pressure is revealed by conducting adsorption experiments of different coal ranks under varying temperature and pressure conditions. Besides, by applying the adsorption potential theory in CBM research, the adsorption model under combined action of temperature and pressure is established. The new model can predict CBM resources accurately, and overcome the limitation of the traditional Langmuir model which uses just a single factor to describe the adsorption characteristics of deep buried coal. On the aspect of CBM accumulation, it is proposed that there are three evolutionary stages during CBM accumulation, including gas generation and adsorption, unsaturated gas adsorption, gas desorption-diffusion and preservation. Controlled by tectonic evolution, hydrodynamics and sealing conditions, CBM tends to be regionally enriched in synclines. Advances in geological theory of CBM in China can not only improve understanding of natural gas, but also provide new ideas for further exploration of CBM.

The Classification and Model of Coalbed Methane Reservoirs

Coalbed methane has been explored in many basins worldwide for 30 years, and has been developed commercially in some of the basins. Many researchers have described the characteristics of coalbed methane geology and technology systematically. According to these investigations, a coalbed methane reservoir can be defined: 'a coal seam that contains some coalbed methane and is isolated from other fluid units is called a coalbed methane reservoir'. On the basis of anatomization, analysis, and comparison of the typical coalbed methane reservoirs, coalbed methane reservoirs can be divided into two classes: the hydrodynamic sealing coalbed methane reservoirs and the self-sealing coalbed methane reservoirs. The former can be further divided into two sub-classes: the hydrodynamic capping coalbed methane reservoirs, which can be divided into five types and the hydrodynamic driving coalbed methane reservoirs, which can be divided into three types. The latter can be divided into three types. Currently, hydrodynamic sealing reservoirs are the main target for coalbed methane exploration and development; self-sealing reservoirs are unsuitable for coalbed methane exploration and development, but they are closely related with coal mine gas hazards. Finally, a model for hydrodynamic sealing coalbed methane reservoirs is established.

Sorption of methane and CO_2 for enhanced coalbed methane recovery and carbon dioxide sequestration

Sequestration of CO2 in deep and unmineable coal seams is one of the attractive alternatives to reduce its atmospheric concentration. Injection of CO2 in coal seams may help in enhancing the recovery of coalbed methane. An experimental study has been carried out using coal samples from three different coal seams, to evaluate the enhanced gas recovery and sequestration potential of these coals. The coals were first saturated with methane and then by depressurization some of the adsorbed methane was desorbed. After partial desorption, CO2 was injected into the coals and subsequently they were depressurized again. Desorption of methane after the injections was studied, to investigate the ability of CO2 to displace and enhance the recovery of methane from the coals. The coals exhibited varying behavior of adsorption of CO2 and release of methane. For one coal, the release of methane was enhanced by injection of CO2, suggesting preferential adsorption of CO2 and desorption of methane. For the other two coals, CO2 injection did not produce incremental methane initially, as there was initial resistance to methane release. However with continued CO2 injection, most of the remaining methane was produced. The study suggested that preferential sorption behavior of coal and enhanced gas recovery pattern could not be generalized for all coals.

A Comprehensive Model for Evaluating Coalbed Methane Reservoirs in China

Coalbed methane reservoir （CBMR） evaluation is important for choosing the prospective target area for coalbed methane exploration and production. This study aims at identifying the characteristic parameters and methods to evaluate CBMR. Based on the geological surveys, laboratory measurements and field works, a four-level analytic hierarchy process （AHP） model for CBMR evaluation is proposed. In this model, different weights are prioritized and assigned on the basis of three main criteria （including reservoir physical property, storage capacity and geological characteristics）, 15 sub-criteria, and 18 technical alternatives; the later of which are discussed in detail. The model was applied to evaluate the CBMR of the Permo-Carboniferous coals in the Qinshui Basin, North China. This GIS-based fuzzy AHP comprehensive model can be used for the evaluation of CBMR of medium-high rank （mean maximum vitrinite reflectance 〉0.5 %） coal districts in China.

Microbial Geochemical Characteristics of the Coalbed Methane in the Shizhuangnan Block of Qinshui Basin, North China and their Geological Implications

Methanogens and sulfate reducing bacteria were detected by the 16SrRNA sequencing of coalbed methane(CBM)co-produced water in the south of the Qinshui Basin,which is indicative of the presence of secondary biological gas in the south of this basin,in contradiction to the previous understanding of thermogenic gas.This work systematically collected water samples from the CBM wells in the Shizhuangnan Block and analyzed the microbial geochemical characteristics from the aspects of water ions,hydrogen and oxygen isotopes,dissolved inorganic carbon and microbial diversity.It is shown that the Shizhuangnan Block has a nearly SN-trending monoclinic structure,and the elevation of coal seam decreases gradually from the east to west.Because of the water blocking effect of Sitou fault in the west,the precipitation flowed from the east to west,and gradually transited to stagnant flow area.The concentration variation of some ions such as Na^+,K^+,Ca2^+,Mg2^+,Cl^-,HCO3^-and total dissolved solids(TDS)suggest the variation of redox condition in the coal reservoir water.The 16SrDNA sequencing analysis of the collected water samples detected the presence of methanogens and sulfate reduction bacteria.The presence of methane production zone and sulfate methane transition zone(SMTZ)was identified.The effect of methanogens in the methane production zone leads to an increase in the methane concentration,resulting in a high gas content in the study area.In the SMTZ,most methane is consumed by anaerobic oxidation due to high sulfate concentrations.

Coalbed methane adsorption and desorption characteristics related to coal particle size

Effects of particle size on CH4 and CO2adsorption and desorption characteristics of coals are investigated at 308 K and pressures up to 5.0 MPa.The gas adsorption and desorption isotherms of coals with particle sizes ranging from 250 μm to 840 μm are measured via the volumetric method,and the Langmuir model is used to analyse the experimental results.Coal particle size is found to have an obvious effect on the coal pore structure.With the decrease of coal particle size in the process of grinding,the pore accessibility of the coal,including the specific surface area and pore volume,increases.Hence,coal with smaller particle size has higher specific surface area and higher pore volume.The ability of adsorption was highly related to the pore structure of coal,and coal particle size has a significant influence on coal adsorption/desorption characteristics,including adsorption capacity and desorption hysteresis for CH4 and CO2,i.e.,coal with a smaller particle size achieves higher adsorption capacity,while the sample with a larger particle size has lower adsorption capacity.Further,coal with larger particle size is also found to have relatively large desorption hysteresis.In addition,dynamic adsorption performances of the samples are carried out at 298 K and at pressures of 0.1 MPa and 0.5 MPa,respectively,and the results indicate that with the increase of particle size,the difference between CO2 and CH4adsorption capacities of the samples decreases.

Experimental investigation of propagation mechanisms and fracture morphology for coalbed methane reservoirs

Fracture propagation mechanisms in coalbed methane(CBM) reservoirs are very complex due to the development of the internal cleat system. In this paper, the characteristics of initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures in coal specimens at different angles between the face cleat and the maximum horizontal principal stress were investigated with hydraulic fracturing tests. The results indicate that the interactions between the hydraulic fractures and the cleat system have a major effect on fracture networks. "Step-like’’ fractures were formed in most experiments due to the existence of discontinuous butt cleats. The hydraulic fractures were more likely to divert or propagate along the butt cleat with an increase in the angles and a decrease in the horizontal principal stress difference. An increase in the injection rate and a decrease in the fracturing fluid viscosity were more conducive to fracture networks. In addition, the influence on fracture propagation of the residual coal fines in the wellbore was also studied. The existence of coal fines was an obstacle in fracturing, and no effective connection can be formed between fractures. The experimental investigation revealed the fracture propagation mechanisms and can provide guidance for hydraulic fracturing design of CBM reservoirs.

An economic evaluation method of coalbed methane resources during the target selection phase of exploration

Because forecasting a development program during the target selection phase of exploration for coalbed methane （CBM） is impossible, the conventional method that relies on a conceptual （or detailed） development pro- gram cannot be used during the economic evaluation of CBM resources. Hence, this study focuses on establishing an economic evaluation model based on the characteristics of the target selection phase. The discounted cashflow method is applied to the construction of the model with the assumption that there is a uniform distribution of produc- tion wells. The computational error generated by the assumption is corrected by introducing a correction factor based on the production profile of single CBM wells. The case study demonstrates that the blocks lacking economic value can be screened out, and the most advantageous targets can be found by computing the resource values in the best- and worst-case scenarios. This technique can help to reduce wasted investments and improve the quality of decision-making in selecting targets for exploration.

Pool-Forming Stages and Enrichment Models of Medium- to High-Rank Coalbed Methane

The pool-forming mechanism of coalbed methane has its own characteristics.In this paper, based on studies on the typical coal-bearing basins in China,it is pointed out that the reservoir formation of medium- to high-rank coalbed methane has experienced three critical stages：the coalbed methane generation and adsorption stage,the coalbed adsorption capacity enhancement stage,and the coalbed methane desorption-diffusion and preservation stage.The regional tectonic evolution, hydrodynamic conditions and sealing conditions play important roles in the stage of coalbed methane desorption-diffusion and preservation.Medium- to high-rank coalbed methane has three types of enrichment models,that is,the most favorable,the relatively favorable,and the unfavorable enrichment models.

New Progress on the Coal Fines Affecting the Development of Coalbed Methane

Objective The production of coal fines is very common in the development of coalbed methane（CBM）in the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin,China.A large amount of produced coal fines seriously affect the productivity of CBM wells（Wei Yingchun et al.,2013）.Therefore,the production problems of CBM wells caused by coal fines have attracted extensive attention.

Prospect Conceiving of Joint Research and Development of Shale Gas and Coalbed Methane in China

Inspired by successful development of shale gas in USA and influenced by hydrocarbon resources shortage currently, China has strengthened shale gas research and accelerated its exploration process. In order to enrich coalbed methane (CBM) and shale gas geological theory and promote their development process, this paper compared shale gas with CBM in accumulation, distribution, reservoir and production. It expatiated on the background and significance of the combined research and development, and analyzed the geological foundation and future prospects. Our investigation demonstrated that there are many sets of coal-bearing strata in Shanxi formation of Permian system in Ordos in North China, Longtan formation of Upper Permian and Xujiahe formation of Upper Triassic in Southern Yangtze region, Xishanyao formation of Middle Jurassic in Turpan-Hami Basin and Junggar Basin in Northwest China, and Shahezi formation of Cretaceous in Songliao Basin in northeast China. In these regions, shales which are interbeded with coal seams have the characters of big thickness, continuous distribution, high content of organic matter, good parent material and high maturity, accord with the basic geological conditions to format shale gas and CBM reservoir and composite gas reservoir, thus form appropriate regions and layers to carry out joint research and exploration with good prospects for development.

Application of a neural network system combined with genetic algorithm to rank coalbed methane reservoirs in the order of exploitation priority

A new method based on the combination of a neural network and a genetic algorithm was proposed to rank the order of exploitation priority of coalbed methane reservoirs. The neural network was used to acquire the weights of reservoir parameters through sample training and genetic algorithm was used to optimize the initial connection weights of nerve cells in case the neural network fell into a local minimum. Additionally, subordinate functions of each parameter were established to normalize the actual values of parameters of coalbed methane reservoirs in the range between zero and unity. Eventually, evaluation values of all coalbed methane reservoirs could be obtained by using the comprehensive evaluation method, which is the basis to rank the coalbed methane reservoirs in the order of exploitation priority. The greater the evaluation value, the higher the exploitation priority. The ranking method was verified in this paper by ten exploited coalbed methane reservoirs in China. The evaluation results are in agreement with the actual exploitation cases. The method can ensure the truthfulness and credibility of the weights of parameters and avoid the subjectivity caused by experts. Furthermore, the probability of falling into local minima is reduced, because genetic the algorithm is used to optimize the neural network system.

Drilling and completion technologies of coalbed methane exploitation: an overview

Coalbed methane(CBM)drilling and completion technologies(DCTs)are signifcant basis for achieving efcient CBM exploration and exploitation.Characteristics of CBM reservoirs vary in diferent regions around the world,thereby,it is crucial to develop,select and apply the optimum DCTs for each diferent CBM reservoir.This paper frstly reviews the development history of CBM DCTs throughout worldwide and clarifes its overall development tendency.Secondly,diferent well types and its characteristics of CBM exploitation are summarized,and main application scopes of these well types are also discussed.Then,the key technologies of CBM drilling(directional drilling tools,measurement while drilling,geo-steering drilling,magnetic guidance drilling,underbalanced drilling and drilling fuids),and the key technologies of CBM completion(open-hole,cavity and under-ream completion,cased-hole completion,screen pipe completion and horizontal well completion)are summarized and analyzed,it is found that safe,economic and efcient development of CBM is inseparable from the support of advanced technologies.Finally,based on the current status of CBM development,the achievements,existing challenges and future prospects are summarized and discussed from the perspective of CBM DCTs.