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Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow through Fractal-Based Discrete Fractured Network

Author

Listed:
  • Wendong Wang

    (School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China)

  • Yuliang Su

    (School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China)

  • Bin Yuan

    (Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N1N4, Canada)

  • Kai Wang

    (Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA)

  • Xiaopeng Cao

    (Shengli Oil Field Exploration and Development Research Institute, Dongying 257000, China)

Abstract

: In recent years, multi-stage hydraulic fracturing technologies have greatly facilitated the development of unconventional oil and gas resources. However, a quantitative description of the “complexity” of the fracture network created by the hydraulic fracturing is confronted with many unsolved challenges. Given the multiple scales and heterogeneity of the fracture system, this study proposes a “bifurcated fractal” model to quantitatively describe the distribution of induced hydraulic fracture networks. The construction theory is employed to generate hierarchical fracture patterns as a scaled numerical model. With the implementation of discrete fractal-fracture network modeling (DFFN), fluid flow characteristics in bifurcated fractal fracture networks are characterized. The effects of bifurcated fracture length, bifurcated tendency, and number of bifurcation stages are examined. A field example of the fractured horizontal well is introduced to calibrate the accuracy of the flow model. The proposed model can provide a more realistic representation of complex fracture networks around a fractured horizontal well, and offer the way to quantify the “complexity” of the fracture network in shale reservoirs. The simulation results indicate that the geometry of the bifurcated fractal fracture network model has a significant impact on production performance in the tight reservoir, and enhancing connectivity of each bifurcate fracture is the key to improve the stimulation performance. In practice, this work provides a novel and efficient workflow for complex fracture characterization and production prediction in naturally-fractured reservoirs of multi-stage fractured horizontal wells.

Suggested Citation

  • Wendong Wang & Yuliang Su & Bin Yuan & Kai Wang & Xiaopeng Cao, 2018. "Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow through Fractal-Based Discrete Fractured Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:2:p:286-:d:128551
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhaohui Chong & Xuehua Li & Xiangyu Chen & Ji Zhang & Jingzheng Lu, 2017. "Numerical Investigation into the Effect of Natural Fracture Density on Hydraulic Fracture Network Propagation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-33, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fanhui Zeng & Fan Peng & Jianchun Guo & Jianhua Xiang & Qingrong Wang & Jiangang Zhen, 2018. "A Transient Productivity Model of Fractured Wells in Shale Reservoirs Based on the Succession Pseudo-Steady State Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Jingxuan Zhang & Xiangjun Liu & Xiaochen Wei & Lixi Liang & Jian Xiong & Wei Li, 2019. "Uncertainty Analysis of Factors Influencing Stimulated Fracture Volume in Layered Formation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-24, November.
    3. Shi, Yu & Song, Xianzhi & Wang, Gaosheng & Li, Jiacheng & Geng, Lidong & Li, Xiaojiang, 2019. "Numerical study on heat extraction performance of a multilateral-well enhanced geothermal system considering complex hydraulic and natural fractures," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 950-963.
    4. Long Ren & Wendong Wang & Yuliang Su & Mingqiang Chen & Cheng Jing & Nan Zhang & Yanlong He & Jian Sun, 2018. "Multiporosity and Multiscale Flow Characteristics of a Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV)-Fractured Horizontal Well in a Tight Oil Reservoir," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, October.
    5. Qiang Wang & Jifang Wan & Langfeng Mu & Ruichen Shen & Maria Jose Jurado & Yufeng Ye, 2020. "An Analytical Solution for Transient Productivity Prediction of Multi-Fractured Horizontal Wells in Tight Gas Reservoirs Considering Nonlinear Porous Flow Mechanisms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, March.

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