Geomechanics evolution integrated with hydraulic fractures, heterogeneity and anisotropy during shale gas depletion. (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Xuanhe; Zhu, Haiyan; Wang, Haibo; Li, Fengxia; Zhou, Tong; He, Jiayuan
• Is Part Of: Geomechanics for energy and the environment. Volume 31(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Shale gas -- Flow-geomechanics coupled modelling -- Hydraulic fractures -- Heterogeneity and anisotropy -- Geomechanics evolution; Engineering geology -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Engineering geology -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations; Engineering geology; Engineering geology -- Environmental aspects; Power resources; Geology -- Periodicals; Energy-Generating Resources -- Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gete.2022.100321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-3808

Abstract

Abstract: Due to reservoir depletion, the reservoir geomechanical parameters, such as stresses, permeability, are changing during shale gas production. A coupled flow-geomechanics model was built to investigate time-lapse geomechanical responses in production before infill well placement of Sichuan Basin shale gas reservoir. In the modelling, hydraulic fractures were simulated from microseismic data and mapped from a geological model to build the flow model. An interface code was improved to build the geomechanical model properties from the geological model, as well as communicates the data between finite difference grids in the reservoir simulator and finite element grids in the geomechanical simulator. In addition, the anisotropy of physical properties and rock mechanical properties was integrated in the flow model and the geomechanical model. Stress-dependent porosity and permeability models were embedded as well. Case studies show that stress evolution and re-orientation are affected by both the trajectory and fractures of producing wells, as well as the heterogeneity of geomechanical properties. Besides, the effect of parallel wells production should be taken into consideration based on the wells-spacing. Highlights: An improved flow-geomechanics coupling method integrated with geological structures is proposed by an interface code. Anisotropy of rock physical and mechanical properties are considered in the coupled flow-geomechanics model. The effects of hydraulic fractures on the evolution of geomechanical parameters during reservoir depletion are studied.