Theory and practice of unconventional gas exploration in carrier beds: Insight from the breakthrough of new type of shale gas and tight gas in Sichuan Basin, SW China

Unconventional gas in the Sichuan Basin mainly includes shale gas and tight gas.The development of shale gas is mainly concentrated in the Ordovician Wufeng Formation-Silurian Longmaxi Formation,but has not made any significant breakthrough in the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation marine shale regardless of exploration efforts for years.The commercial development of tight sandstone gas is mainly concentrated in the Jurassic Shaximiao Formation,but has not been realized in the widespread and thick Triassic Xujiahe Formation.Depending on the geological characteristics of the Qiongzhusi Formation and Xujiahe Formation,the feedback of old wells was analyzed.Then,combining with the accumulation mechanisms of con-ventional gas and shale gas,as well as the oil/gas shows during drilling,changes in production and pressure during develop-ment,and other characteristics,it was proposed to change the exploration and development strategy from source and reservoir exploration to carrier beds exploration.With the combination of effective source rock,effective carrier beds and effective sand-stone or shale as the exploration target,a model of unconventional gas accumulation and enrichment in carrier beds was built.Under the guidance of this study,two significant results have been achieved in practice.First,great breakthrough was made in exploration of the silty shale with low organic matter abundance in the Qiongzhusi Formation,which breaks the traditional approach to prospect shale gas only in organic-rich black shales and realizes a breakthrough in new areas,new layers and new types of shale gas and a transformation of exploration and development of shale gas from single-layer system,Longmaxi For-mation,to multi-layer system in the Sichuan Basin.Second,exploration breakthrough and high-efficient development were re-alized for difficult-to-produce tight sandstone gas reserves in the Xujiahe Formation,which helps address the challenges of low production and unstable production of fracture zones in the Xujiahe Formation,promote the transformation of tight sandstone gas from reserves without production to effective production,and enhance the exploration and development potential of tight sandstonegas.

Quantitative characterization of tight gas sandstone reservoirs using seismic data via an integrated rock-physics-based framework

Seismic characterizing of tight gas sandstone (TGS) reservoirs is essential for identifying promising gas-bearing regions. However, exploring the petrophysical significance of seismic-inverted elastic properties is challenging due to the complex microstructures in TGSs. Meanwhile, interbedded structures of sandstone and mudstone intensify the difficulty in accurately extracting the crucial tight sandstone properties. An integrated rock-physics-based framework is proposed to estimate the reservoir quality of TGSs from seismic data. TGSs with complex pore structures are modeled using the double-porosity model, providing a practical tool to compute rock physics templates for reservoir parameter estimation. The VP/VS ratio is utilized to predict the cumulative thickness of the TGS reservoirs within the target range via the threshold value evaluated from wireline logs for lithology discrimination. This approach also facilitates better capturing the elastic properties of the TGSs for quantitative seismic interpretation. Total porosity is estimated from P-wave impedance using the correlation obtained based on wireline log analysis. After that, the three-dimensional rock-physics templates integrated with the estimated total porosity are constructed to interpret microfracture porosity and gas saturation from velocity ratio and bulk modulus. The integrated framework can optimally estimate the parameters dominating the reservoir quality. The results of the indicator proposed based on the obtained parameters are in good agreement with the gas productions and can be utilized to predict promising TGS reservoirs. Moreover, the results suggest that considering microfracture porosity allows a more accurate prediction of high-quality reservoirs, further validating the applicability of the proposed method in the studied region.

Investigation of influence factors on CO_(2) flowback characteristics and optimization of flowback parameters during CO_(2) dry fracturing in tight gas reservoirs

CO_(2) dry fracturing is a promising alternative method to water fracturing in tight gas reservoirs,especially in water-scarce areas such as the Loess Plateau.The CO_(2) flowback efficiency is a critical factor that affects the final gas production effect.However,there have been few studies focusing on the flowback characteristics after CO_(2) dry fracturing.In this study,an extensive core-to-field scale study was conducted to investigate CO_(2) flowback characteristics and CH_(4) production behavior.Firstly,to investigate the impact of core properties and production conditions on CO_(2) flowback,a series of laboratory experiments at the core scale were conducted.Then,the key factors affecting the flowback were analyzed using the grey correlation method based on field data.Finally,taking the construction parameters of Well S60 as an example,a dual-permeability model was used to characterize the different seepage fields in the matrix and fracture for tight gas reservoirs.The production parameters after CO_(2) dry fracturing were then optimized.Experimental results demonstrate that CO_(2) dry fracturing is more effective than slickwater fracturing,with a 9.2%increase in CH_(4) recovery.The increase in core permeability plays a positive role in improving CH_(4) production and CO_(2) flowback.The soaking process is mainly affected by CO_(2) diffusion,and the soaking time should be controlled within 12 h.Increasing the flowback pressure gradient results in a significant increase in both CH_(4) recovery and CO_(2) flowback efficiency.While,an increase in CO_(2) injection is not conducive to CH_(4) production and CO_(2) flowback.Based on the experimental and field data,the important factors affecting flowback and production were comprehensively and effectively discussed.The results show that permeability is the most important factor,followed by porosity and effective thickness.Considering flowback efficiency and the influence of proppant reflux,the injection volume should be the minimum volume that meets the requirements for generating fractures.The soaking time should be short which is 1 day in this study,and the optimal bottom hole flowback pressure should be set at 10 MPa.This study aims to improve the understanding of CO_(2) dry fracturing in tight gas reservoirs and provide valuable insights for optimizing the process parameters.

Tight gas charging and accumulation mechanisms and mathematical model

The gas-water distribution and production heterogeneity of tight gas reservoirs have been summarized from experimental and geological observations, but the charging and accumulation mechanisms have not been examined quantitatively by mathematical model. The tight gas charging and accumulation mechanisms were revealed from a combination of physical simulation of nuclear magnetic resonance coupling displacement, numerical simulation considering material and mechanical equilibria, as well as actual geological observation. The results show that gas migrates into tight rocks to preferentially form a gas saturation stabilization zone near the source-reservoir interface. When the gas source is insufficient, gas saturation reduction zone and uncharged zone are formed in sequence from the source-reservoir interface. The better the source rock conditions with more gas expulsion volume and higher overpressure, the thicker the gas saturation stabilization and reduction zones, and the higher the overall gas saturation. When the source rock conditions are limited, the better the tight reservoir conditions with higher porosity and permeability as well as larger pore throat, the thinner the gas saturation stabilization and reduction zones, but the gas saturation is high. The sweet spot of tight gas is developed in the high-quality reservoir near the source rock, which often corresponds to the gas saturation stabilization zone. The numerical simulation results by mathematical model agree well with the physical simulation results by nuclear magnetic resonance coupling displacement, and reasonably explain the gas-water distribution and production pattern of deep reservoirs in the Xujiaweizi fault depression of the Songliao Basin and tight gas reservoirs in the Linxing-Huangfu area of the Ordos Basin.

Simulation of Gas-Water Two-Phase Flow in Tight Gas Reservoirs Considering the Gas Slip Effect

A mathematical model for the gas-water two-phase flow in tight gas reservoirs is elaborated.The model can account for the gas slip effect,stress sensitivity,and high-speed non-Darcy factors.The related equations are solved in the framework of a finite element method.The results are validated against those obtained by using the commercial software CMG(Computer Modeling Group software for advanced recovery process simulation).It is shown that the proposed method is reliable.It can capture the fracture rejection characteristics of tight gas reservoirs better than the CMG.A sensitivity analysis of various control factors(initial water saturation,reservoir parameters,and fracturing parameters)affecting the production in tight gas wells is conducted accordingly.Finally,a series of theoretical arguments are provided for a rational and effective development/exploitation of tight sandstone gas reservoirs.

Tight gas production model considering TPG as a function of pore pressure,permeability and water saturation

Threshold pressure gradient has great importance in efficient tight gas field development as well as for research and laboratory experiments.This experimental study is carried out to investigate the threshold pressure gradient in detail.Experiments are carried out with and without back pressure so that the effect of pore pressure on threshold pressure gradient may be observed.The trend of increasing or decreasing the threshold pressure gradient is totally opposite in the cases of considering and not considering the pore pressure.The results demonstrate that the pore pressure of tight gas reservoirs has great influence on threshold pressure gradient.The effects of other parameters like permeability and water saturation,in the presence of pore pressure,on threshold pressure gradient are also examined which show that the threshold pressure gradient increases with either a decrease in permeability or an increase in water saturation.Two new correlations of threshold pressure gradient on the basis of pore pressure and permeability,and pore pressure and water saturation,are also introduced.Based on these equations,new models for tight gas production are proposed.The gas slip correction factor is also considered during derivation of this proposed tight gas production models.Inflow performance relationship curves based on these proposed models show that production rates and absolute open flow potential are always be overestimated while ignoring the threshold pressure gradients.

Analysis of Reservoir Forming Conditions and Prediction of Continuous Tight Gas Reservoirs for the Deep Jurassic in the Eastern Kuqa Depression,Tarim Basin

The exploration targets in the Kuqa Depression at present are mainly structure traps in Cretaceous-Tertiary.Due to the complexity of mountain distribution and reservoir forming conditions, the exploration of Jurassic in the eastern Kuqa Depression has been in a state of semi-stagnation since the discovery of the Yinan-2 gas reservoir.According to the concept and theory of 'continuous petroleum reservoirs' and the re-analysis of the forming conditions of the Yinan-2 gas reservoir and regional natural gas in the eastern Kuqa Depression,it is believed that the deep Jurassic has good natural gas accumulation conditions as well as geological conditions for forming continuous tight gas reservoirs.The boundary of the Yinan-2 gas reservoir is not controlled by a structural spillpoint.The downdip part of the structure is dominated by gas,while the hanging wall of the fault is filled by water and forming obvious inverted gas and water.The gas reservoir has the normal temperature and ultrahigh pressure which formed in the near source or inner-source.All of these characteristics indicate that the Yinan-2 gas reservoir is different from conventional gas reservoirs.The deep Jurassic in the eastern Kuqa Depression has multisets of source-reservoir-cap assemblages,which comprise interbedded sandstones and mudstones.These assemblages are characterized by a self-generation,self-preserving and self-coverage model.Reservoir sandstones and coal measure mudstones are interbedded with each other at a large scale.As the source rocks,Triassic-Jurassic coal measure mudstones distribute continuously at a large scale and can generate and expel hydrocarbon.Source rocks contact intimately with the overlying sandstone reservoirs.During the late stage of hydrocarbon expulsion,natural gas charged continuously and directly into the neighboring reservoirs.Petroleum migrated mainly in a vertical direction over short distances.With ultra-high pressure and strong charging intensity,natural gas accumulated continuously.Reservoirs are dominated by sandstones of braided delta facies.The sand bodies distribute continuously horizontal.With low porosity and low permeability,the reservoirs are featured by strong heterogeneity.It is hypothesized that the sandstones of the interior depression tend to be relatively tight with increasing depth and structure stress weakness.Thus,it is predicted that continuous tight gas reservoirs of ultra-high pressure may exist in the deep formations of the eastern and even the whole Kuqa Depression.So,it is worth evaluating the exploration potential.

Geological characteristics and accumulation mechanisms of the "continuous" tight gas reservoirs of the Xu2 Member in the middle-south transition region,Sichuan Basin,China

＂Continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs are those reservoirs which develop in widespread tight sandstones with a continuous distribution of natural gas. In this paper, we summarize the geological features of the source rocks and ＂＇continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs in the Xujiahe Formation of the middle- south transition region, Sichuan Basin. The source rocks of the Xul Member and reservoir rocks of the Xu2 Member are thick （Xul Member： 40 m, Xu2 Member： 120 m） and are distributed continuously in this study area. The results of drilled wells show that the widespread sandstone reservoirs of the Xu2 Member are charged with natural gas. Therefore, the natural gas reservoirs of the Xu2 Member in the middle-south transition region are ＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs. The accumulation of ＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs is controlled by an adequate driving force of the pressure differences between source rocks and reservoirs, which is demonstrated by a ＂one-dimensional＂ physical simulation experiment. In this simulation, the natural gas of＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs moves tbrward with no preferential petroleum migration pathways （PPMP）, and the natural gas saturation of＂continuous＂ tight gas reservoirs is higher than that of conventional reservoirs.

Blasingame production decline type curves for analysing a multi-fractured horizontal well in tight gas reservoirs

Production decline analysis has been considered as an important method to obtain the flow parameters, reservoir properties and original gas in place. Although advanced Blasingame production decline analysis methods for vertical wells, fractured wells and horizontal wells are widely used, limited study has conducted on Blasingame production decline type curves for multi-fractured horizontal well(MFHW). Based on the perpendicular bisection(PEBI) grids, a numerical model was developed and the solution was obtained using control volume finite element method and the fully implicit method. Blasingame production decline-type curves of the infinitely conductive MFHW were plotted through computer programming. A field case was presented to analyse and verify the model developed. Five flow regimes, including early formation linear flow, early radial flow, compound linear flow, transient flow and pseudo-radial flow, are recognized. Fracture spacing is the main factor that affects early radial flow, compound linear flow and transient flow, the distance from the well to the circular boundary affects the pseudo-radial flow, and the type curves are also significantly affected by the formation permeability, fracture number and fracture half-length. The validation of field case suggests that the Blasingame production decline type curves proposed in this work can be applied to the production decline analysis for MFHW in tight gas reservoirs.

Enhancing recovery and sensitivity studies in an unconventional tight gas condensate reservoir

The recovery factor from tight gas reservoirs is typically less than 15%, even with multistage hydrauhc tractunng stimulation. Such low recovery is exacerbated in tight gas condensate reservoirs, where the depletion of gas leaves the valuable condensate behind. In this paper, three enhanced gas recovery （EGR） methods including produced gas injection, CO2 injection and water injection are investigated to increase the well productivity for a tight gas condensate reservoir in the Montney Formation, Canada. The production performance of the three EGR methods is compared and their economic feasibility is evaluated. Sensitivity analysis of the key factors such as primary production duration, bottom-hole pressures, and fracture conductivity is conducted and their effects on the well production performance are analyzed. Results show that, compared with the simple depletion method, both the cumulative gas and condensate production increase with fluids injected. Produced gas injection leads to both a higher gas and condensate production compared with those of the CO2 injection, while waterflooding suffers from injection difficulty and the corresponding low sweep efficiency. Meanwhile, the injection cost is lower for the produced gas injection due to the on-site available gas source and minimal transport costs, gaining more economic benefits than the other EGR methods.

Selection of candidate wells for re-fracturing in tight gas sand reservoirs using fuzzy inference

An artificial-intelligence based decision-making protocol is developed for tight gas sands to identify re-fracturing wells and used in case studies. The methodology is based on fuzzy logic to deal with imprecision and subjectivity through mathematical representations of linguistic vagueness, and is a computing system based on the concepts of fuzzy set theory, fuzzy if-then rules, and fuzzy reasoning. Five indexes are used to characterize hydraulic fracture quality, reservoir characteristics, operational parameters, initial conditions, and production related to the selection of re-fracturing well, and each index includes 3 related parameters. The value of each index/parameter is grouped into three categories that are low, medium, and high. For each category, a trapezoidal membership function all related rules are defined. The related parameters of an index are input into the rule-based fuzzy-inference system to output value of the index. Another fuzzy-inference system is built with the reservoir index, operational index, initial condition index and production index as input parameters and re-fracturing potential index as output parameter to screen out re-fracturing wells. This approach was successfully validated using published data.

Sedimentology and Ichnology of Upper Montney Formation Tight Gas Reservoir, Northeastern British Columbia, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

Several decades of conventional oil and gas production in Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) have resulted in maturity of the basin, and attention is shifting to alternative hydrocarbon reservoir system, such as tight gas reservoir of the Montney Formation, which consists of siltstone with subordinate interlaminated very fine-grained sandstone. The Montney Formation resource play is one of Canada’s prime unconventional hydrocarbon reservoir, with reserve estimate in British Columbia (Natural Gas reserve = 271 TCF), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG = 12,647 million barrels), and oil reserve (29 million barrels). Based on sedimentological and ichnological criteria, five lithofacies associations were identified in the study interval: Lithofacies F-1 (organic rich, wavy to parallel laminated, black colored siltstone);Lithofacies F-2 (very fine-grained sandstone interbedded with siltstone);Lithofacies F-3A (bioturbated silty-sandstone attributed to the Skolithos ichnofacies);Lithofacies F-3B (bioturbated siltstone attributed to Cruziana ichnofacies);Lithofacies F-4 (dolomitic, very fine-grained sandstone);and Lithofacies F-5 (massive siltstone). The depositional environments interpreted for the Montney Formation in the study area are lower shoreface through proximal offshore to distal offshore settings. Rock-Eval data (hydrogen Index and Oxygen Index) shows that Montney sediments contains mostly gas prone Type III/IV with subordinate Type II kerogen, TOC ranges from 0.39 - 3.54 wt% with a rare spike of 10.9 wt% TOC along the Montney/Doig boundary. Vitrinite reflectance data and Tmax show that thermal maturity of the Montney Formation is in the realm of “peak gas” generation window. Despite the economic significance of the Montney unconventional “resource-play”, however, the location and predictability of the best reservoir interval remain conjectural in part because the lithologic variability of the optimum reservoir lithologies has not been adequately characterized. This study presents lithofacies and ichnofacies analyses of the Montney Formation coupled with Rock-Eval geochemistry to interpret the sedimentology, ichnology, and reservoir potential of the Montney Formation tight gas reservoir in Fort St. John study area (T86N, R23W and T74N, R13W), northeastern British Columbia, western Canada.

A reservoir drying method for enhancing recovery of tight gas

Based on the study of damage mechanisms of generalized water blocking and related water-blocking removal methods, the drying agents for enhancing tight gas reservoir recovery were developed, and the basic properties, injection mode and drying effect of the drying agents were evaluated. The chemical effect, thermal effect, salt resistance, salt resistance formulas and delay mechanism of the drying agent systems for different types of tight reservoirs were investigated through lab experiment. The solubility and solubilization properties of supercritical carbon dioxide on drying agent systems were tested.The injection mode of dissolving drying agent in supercritical carbon dioxide was proposed. The mechanisms of supercritical carbon dioxide with water in micropores of formation matrix were analyzed. Micro-pore structures and seepage characteristics of reservoir before and after drying were compared. Based on the characterization in combination of NMR and laser etched pore structure model, drying effects of the drying agents on bound water of different occurrences were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Lattice Boltzmann method was used to evaluate the influence of drying effect on gas micro-seepage ability.The influence of drying effect on productivity and production performance of gas well was analyzed by numerical simulation.The drying effect can greatly reduce water saturation of tight reservoir and improve the gas seepage capacity in near wellbore and fractures. This work can provide guidance for developing new measures in enhancing recovery of tight gas reservoirs.

Seismic rock physics modeling of fractures and fluids in a tight gas sandstone reservoir

Tight sandstone gas reservoirs have characteristics of low porosity and low permeability,complex pore structure.In the paper,we consider the pore and micro-fracture systems in tight sandstone reservoir and perform rock physics modeling of sandstone gas reservoirs based on Chapman.Then we analyze the effects of relaxation time,and difference fluid types on dispersion and attention,and seismic responses.We found that the magnitude of the relaxation time is related to the gas saturation and the viscosity coefficient of the fluid.The magnitude of the relaxation time affects the frequency range of the velocity dispersion and attenuation,and the type of fluid affects the magnitude of the velocity dispersion and attenuation.As the relaxation time decreases,the calculated amplitude deceases.And the amplitude and the waveform of the synthetic seismic record are related to different fluid types and formation thickness.

A Study of Solid-Free Drilling Fluid for Tight Gas Reservoirs

This project is explaining a laboratory development of a solid free drilling fluid formula that could be potentially used in tight gas reservoirs. The configuration of the weak gel fluid WGL-1, which is resistant to high temperature and high salt, was tested, and concluded that its gelling properties, salt and temperature resistance, and environmental protection were all in line with industry requirements. The final drilling fluid formula was developed as: water + (0.3% ~ 0.5%) NaOH + 5% KCl + 2% WGL-1 + 5% NaCl + (1.0% ~ 2.0%) HBFR Anti-high temperature fluid loss agent + 2% Polyol + (1.5% ~ 2.0%) SDL-1 Lubricant + 0.4% A4O1. The performance of the liquid was tested for temperature resistance, inhibition, gas formation protection effect, plugging performance, and static settlement stability. It was concluded that the temperature resistance performance is satisfied at 150°C, and the cuttings recovery rate is as high as 96.78%. It has good performance in inhibiting water dispersion and swelling of cuttings. The permeability recovery value reaches 88.9%, which meets the requirements of gas formation protection. The SSSI value shows that its settlement stability is good;under high temperature and high pressure, its sealing performance is good. This drilling fluid system has achieved the expected results and laid a foundation for further promoting the development of solid-free drilling fluid systems. The future development direction of solid-free drilling fluids is pointed out, to the improvement of properties to be applied in high temperature environment and have high salt resistance capacity.

A new model for predicting irreducible water saturation in tight gas reservoirs

The irreducible water saturation(Swir) is a significant parameter for relative permeability prediction and initial hydrocarbon reserves estimation.However,the complex pore structures of the tight rocks and multiple factors of the formation conditions make the parameter difficult to be accurately predicted by the conventional methods in tight gas reservoirs.In this study,a new model was derived to calculate Swir based on the capillary model and the fractal theory.The model incorporated different types of immobile water and considered the stress effect.The dead or stationary water(DSW) was considered in this model,which described the phenomena of water trapped in the dead-end pores due to detour flow and complex pore structures.The water film,stress effect and formation temperature were also considered in the proposed model.The results calculated by the proposed model are in a good agreement with the experimental data.This proves that for tight sandstone gas reservoirs the Swir calculated from the new model is more accurate.The irreducible water saturation calculated from the new model reveals that Swir is controlled by the critical capillary radius,DSW coefficient,effective stress and formation temperature.

Application of Multi-Attribute Crossplots to Tight Gas in X Area, Western China

The gas-bearing reservoir in X area is mainly the tight sandstone reservoir characterized by low porosity and permeability, frequently lateral variation and poor connectivity of single sand. The previous research results reveal that the general seismic attributes analysis cannot meet the requirement of fluid identification. This is because the relationship between seismic attributes and their implication is uncertain and ambiguous, which decreases the precision of both reservoir prediction and fluid identification. To overcome the problem, multi-attribute crossplot technology is proposed from the mathematical statistical point of view rather than the correspondence between the seismic attributes and their geological implication. In this method, the wells which have the same statistical law are classified firstly, and then all the interest wells are retained while the wells beyond the statistical law are eliminated, and the seismic attributes sensitive to the same types of eliminated wells are optimized and used to generate crossplots. The nonzero area of their crossplots results just predicts the potential distribution. The discontinuity of subsurface geological conditions results in the non-continuous shape and the seismic bin lead to the mosaic form. The optimization of sensitive attributes relative to the same types of wells is independent from each other, and thus the order of attributes in crossplots does not affect the final prediction results. This method is based on the statistical theory and suitable for the areas such as the study area abundant of lots of well data. Application to X area proves the effectiveness of this method and predicts plane distribution about different types of gas production. Due to the effect of faults and other geological factors, the partition prediction results using multi-attribute crossplots reach 95% of coincidence which is obviously and far higher than the results of the whole area. The final prediction results show that the potential areas with medium and high gas production are mainly concentrated in the northern part of the study area, where lots of development research will be strengthened.

Research and Application of Joint Interpretation Using P-Wave and PS-Wave in Tight Gas Exploration

The exploration and development of tight sandstone gas reservoirs are controlled by high-quality river channel sand bodies on a large scale in Sichuan Basin.In order to improve the accu-racy of sand body prediction and characterization,Multi-component exploration technology research has been carried out in Northwest Sichuan Basin.First,based on the array acoustic logging data,a for-ward modeling has been established to analyze the seismic response characteristics of the PS-wave data and P-wave data.The result shows that the response characteristics of the P-wave and PS-wave to the sand bodies with different impedance are different.And then through the analysis of logging data,the effectiveness of the forward modeling has been proved.When the sandstone velocity is close to the sur-rounding rocks,the P-wave performs as a weak reflection,which may lead to reduce the identification range of the sand bodies.However,the PS-wave exhibits strong reflection,which can identify this type of sand bodies.Finally,by comparing and explaining the PS-wave data and P-wave data,and integrat-ing their attributes,the prediction accuracy of sand bodies is improved.Compared with the interpreta-tion of a single P-wave,the results can significantly expand the distribution range of sand bodies,lay-ing a foundation for improving the production capacity of single wells and reserve submission.

Evaluation of Well Spacing for Primary Development of Fractured Horizontal Wells in Tight Sandstone Gas Reservoirs

Methods for horizontal well spacing calculation in tight gas reservoirs are still adversely affected by the complexity of related control factors,such as strong reservoir heterogeneity and seepage mechanisms.In this study,the stress sensitivity and threshold pressure gradient of various types of reservoirs are quantitatively evaluated through reservoir seepage experiments.On the basis of these experiments,a numerical simulation model(based on the special seepage mechanism)and an inverse dynamic reserve algorithm(with different equivalent drainage areas)were developed.The well spacing ranges of Classes I,II,and III wells in the Q gas field are determined to be 802–1,000,600–662,and 285–400 m,respectively,with their average ranges as 901,631,and 342.5 m,respectively.By considering both the pairs of parallel well groups and series well groups as examples,the reliability of the calculation results is verified.It is shown that the combination of the two models can reduce errors and provide accurate results.

Inter-layer interference for multi-layered tight gas reservoir in the absence and presence of movable water

Due to the dissimilarity among different producing layers,the influences of inter-layer interference on the production performance of a multi-layer gas reservoir are possible.However,systematic studies of inter-layer interference for tight gas reservoirs are really limited,especially for those reservoirs in the presence of water.In this work,five types of possible inter-layer interferences,including both absence and presence of water,are identified for commingled production of tight gas reservoirs.Subsequently,a series of reservoir-scale and pore-scale numerical simulations are conducted to quantify the degree of influence of each type of interference.Consistent field evidence from the Yan'an tight gas reservoir(Ordos Basin,China)is found to support the simulation results.Additionally,suggestions are proposed to mitigate the potential inter-layer interferences.The results indicate that,in the absence of water,commingled production is favorable in two situations:when there is a difference in physical properties and when there is a difference in the pressure system of each layer.For reservoirs with a multi-pressure system,the backflow phenomenon,which significantly influences the production performance,only occurs under extreme conditions(such as very low production rates or well shut-in periods).When water is introduced into the multi-layer system,inter-layer interference becomes nearly inevitable.Perforating both the gas-rich layer and water-rich layer for commingled production is not desirable,as it can trigger water invasion from the water-rich layer into the gas-rich layer.The gas-rich layer might also be interfered with by water from the neighboring unperforated water-rich layer,where the water might break the barrier(eg weak joint surface,cement in fractures)between the two layers and migrate into the gas-rich layer.Additionally,the gas-rich layer could possibly be interfered with by water that accumulates at the bottom of the wellbore due to gravitational differentiation during shut-in operations.