Integral solution-based modeling of gas transport in unconventional reservoirs
Open Access
- Author:
- Sant'Anna Garcez Nobrega, Jonathan
- Graduate Program:
- Energy and Mineral Engineering
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- August 04, 2022
- Committee Members:
- Mathieu Stienon, Outside Field Member
Corina Drapaca, Outside Unit & Field Member
Luis Ayala H, Chair & Dissertation Advisor
Hamid Emami-Meybodi, Major Field Member
Jeremy Michael Gernand, Program Head/Chair - Keywords:
- Production data analysis
Unconventional Reservoirs
Gas transport
Green's Function Method
Multifractured Horizontal Wells - Abstract:
- Modeling of gas transport through porous media has received increasing attention since the onset of production from unconventional reservoirs. One direct application of analytical and/or semi-analytical solutions derived from the underlying gas diffusivity equation is production data analysis (PDA). PDA is by far one of the most important engineering practices performed during the development of any hydrocarbon reservoir. Indeed, it is crucial to achieve better well performance prediction, improve reservoir characterization and, refine previous reserves calculations. Current conventional and well-established PDA models have been developed based on simplifying assumptions regarding both physical system (reservoir/fluid properties) and production constraints (constant flow rates and bottomhole pressure) to enable tractable analytical treatment. However, such limitations have become critical when extended to unconventional formations such as shale and tight sandstone. The need for the development of robust methodologies capable of better honor the physical aspects behind fluid transport has been heightened by unconventional formations turning into the major portion of the natural gas supply in North America. This study proposes a series of integral-based solutions obtained via Green's function method (GFM). The derived solutions are able to capture the nonlinear behavior of natural gas reservoirs and overcome the so-far elusive goal of incorporating variable rate/pressure production conditions into production data analysis. Our results demonstrated that GFM has valuable features and the potential to overcome the current challenges in nonlinear gas flow modeling with applications to production data analysis of unconventional reservoirs.