A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs
A fractal discrete fracture network based model was proposed for the gas production prediction from a fractured shale reservoir. Firstly, this model was established based on the fractal distribution of fracture length and a fractal permeability model of shale matrix which coupled the multiple flow m...
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MDPI AG
2020-04-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/7/1857 |
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| author | Bowen Hu Jianguo Wang Zhanguo Ma |
| author_facet | Bowen Hu Jianguo Wang Zhanguo Ma |
| author_sort | Bowen Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A fractal discrete fracture network based model was proposed for the gas production prediction from a fractured shale reservoir. Firstly, this model was established based on the fractal distribution of fracture length and a fractal permeability model of shale matrix which coupled the multiple flow mechanisms of slip flow, Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, and multilayer adsorption. Then, a numerical model was formulated with the governing equations of gas transport in both a shale matrix and fracture network system and the deformation equation of the fractured shale reservoir. Thirdly, this numerical model was solved within the platform of COMSOL Multiphysics (a finite element software) and verified through three fractal discrete fracture networks and the field data of gas production from two shale wells. Finally, the sensitivity analysis was conducted on fracture length fractal dimension, pore size distribution, and fracture permeability. This study found that cumulative gas production increases up to 113% when the fracture fractal length dimension increases from 1.5 to the critical value of 1.7. The gas production rate declines more rapidly for a larger fractal dimension (up to 1.7). Wider distribution of pore sizes (either bigger maximum pore size or smaller minimum pore size or both) can increase the matrix permeability and is beneficial to cumulative gas production. A linear relationship is observed between the fracture permeability and the cumulative gas production. Thus, the fracture permeability can significantly impact shale gas production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:31:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-12623ffcf0194857bb95734b4c0851d7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:31:38Z |
| publishDate | 2020-04-01 |
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| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-12623ffcf0194857bb95734b4c0851d72023-11-19T21:17:42ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732020-04-01137185710.3390/en13071857A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale ReservoirsBowen Hu0Jianguo Wang1Zhanguo Ma2State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaSchool of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, ChinaA fractal discrete fracture network based model was proposed for the gas production prediction from a fractured shale reservoir. Firstly, this model was established based on the fractal distribution of fracture length and a fractal permeability model of shale matrix which coupled the multiple flow mechanisms of slip flow, Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, and multilayer adsorption. Then, a numerical model was formulated with the governing equations of gas transport in both a shale matrix and fracture network system and the deformation equation of the fractured shale reservoir. Thirdly, this numerical model was solved within the platform of COMSOL Multiphysics (a finite element software) and verified through three fractal discrete fracture networks and the field data of gas production from two shale wells. Finally, the sensitivity analysis was conducted on fracture length fractal dimension, pore size distribution, and fracture permeability. This study found that cumulative gas production increases up to 113% when the fracture fractal length dimension increases from 1.5 to the critical value of 1.7. The gas production rate declines more rapidly for a larger fractal dimension (up to 1.7). Wider distribution of pore sizes (either bigger maximum pore size or smaller minimum pore size or both) can increase the matrix permeability and is beneficial to cumulative gas production. A linear relationship is observed between the fracture permeability and the cumulative gas production. Thus, the fracture permeability can significantly impact shale gas production.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/7/1857fractal discrete fractal networkfractured shale reservoirfractal dimensionpore size distribution |
| spellingShingle | Bowen Hu Jianguo Wang Zhanguo Ma A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs Energies fractal discrete fractal network fractured shale reservoir fractal dimension pore size distribution |
| title | A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs |
| title_full | A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs |
| title_fullStr | A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs |
| title_short | A Fractal Discrete Fracture Network Based Model for Gas Production from Fractured Shale Reservoirs |
| title_sort | fractal discrete fracture network based model for gas production from fractured shale reservoirs |
| topic | fractal discrete fractal network fractured shale reservoir fractal dimension pore size distribution |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/7/1857 |
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