A composite dual-porosity fractal model for channel-fractured horizontal wells. Issue 1 (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Wendong; Yuan, Bin; Su, Yuliang; Sheng, Guanglong; Yao, Wei; Gao, Hui; Wang, Kai
• Is Part Of: Engineering applications of computational fluid mechanics. Volume 12:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 116
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Unconventional reservoirs -- channel fractured horizontal wells -- threshold permeability -- fractal theory -- fracture heterogeneity; Computational fluid dynamics -- Periodicals; 620.10640285
• DOI: 10.1080/19942060.2017.1348992
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1994-2060

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The channel fracturing technique has been proven to provide much higher conductive fracture networks by placing discontinuously proppant inside fracture packs. Despite the great success of this new fracturing technique, there is still a lack of models and methods to characterize non-uniform placement of fracture proppant and heterogeneous permeability distribution within stimulated-reservoir-volume (SRV). In this article, a dual-porosity model is coupled with the tri-linear flow model to quantify the production performance of channel fractured horizontal wells. As a consequence of channel fracturing, the non-uniform distribution of fracture networks, and the heterogeneities of both matrix/fracture porosity and permeability are characterized using fractal theory. By implementing the Bessel Function and Laplace transform techniques, analytical solutions are derived by integrating fluid flow across primary hydraulic fractures, SRV and unstimulated reservoir matrices. Through quantitative comparisons of well bottom-hole pressure history, a synthetic fine-grid numerical simulation example is implemented to verify the accuracy of analytical solutions. Sensitivity analysis of fractal dimension, fractal connectivity-index and primary fracture conductivity is carried out to quantify the temporal and spatial consequences of channel fracturing on both reservoir/facture heterogeneity and well productivity throughout well life.