Transient Flow Theory of Multiple-Fractured Horizontal Wells with Complex Mechanisms in Shale Gas Reservoirs

Abstract EN

Shale reservoirs have the characterizations of low porosity, low permeability, and hydrocarbon organic matter self-generation and self-storage, resulting in its complex flow mechanisms.

Compared with fractured vertical wells, multiple-fractured horizontal wells are widely used due to their advantages of effectively increasing the well control range and further expanding the drainage area.

To further study the multiscale flow mechanisms of shale gas, a flow model was established that considered viscous flow in microfractures and inorganic pores, the diffusion of Knudsen in nanoscale porosity, the coexistence of slippage, adsorption-desorption effects under infinity, and closed outer boundary conditions; based on the continuous point source solution, a multiple-fractured horizontal well flow model was established and solved by MATLAB programming.

Then, the effects of various factors were investigated.

The results show that the Knudsen diffusion and slippage coefficients mainly affect the apparent permeability of the matrix pores.

The more the Knudsen diffusion and slippage coefficients are, the earlier the turbulent flow occurs and the higher the gas production is.