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Multiphase Multicomponent Numerical Modeling for Hydraulic Fracturing with N-Heptane for Efficient Stimulation in a Tight Gas Reservoir of Germany

Author

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  • Faisal Mehmood

    (Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal Zellerfeld, Germany
    Research Centre of Energy Storage Technologies, Clausthal University of Technology, 38640 Goslar, Germany
    Department of Petroleum & Gas Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Lahore 54890, Pakistan)

  • Michael Z. Hou

    (Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal Zellerfeld, Germany
    Research Centre of Energy Storage Technologies, Clausthal University of Technology, 38640 Goslar, Germany)

  • Jianxing Liao

    (College of Civil Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
    Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Rock and Soil Mechanics and Engineering Safety, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Muhammad Haris

    (Research Centre of Energy Storage Technologies, Clausthal University of Technology, 38640 Goslar, Germany
    Department of Petroleum & Gas Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore, Lahore 54890, Pakistan)

  • Cheng Cao

    (Research Centre of Energy Storage Technologies, Clausthal University of Technology, 38640 Goslar, Germany
    State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China)

  • Jiashun Luo

    (Institute of Subsurface Energy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, 38678 Clausthal Zellerfeld, Germany)

Abstract

Conventionally, high-pressure water-based fluids have been injected for hydraulic stimulation of unconventional petroleum resources such as tight gas reservoirs. Apart from improving productivity, water-based frac-fluids have caused environmental and technical issues. As a result, much of the interest has shifted towards alternative frac-fluids. In this regard, n-heptane, as an alternative frac-fluid, is proposed. It necessitates the development of a multi-phase and multi-component (MM) numerical simulator for hydraulic fracturing. Therefore fracture, MM fluid flow, and proppant transport models are implemented in a thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupled FLAC3D-TMVOCMP framework. After verification, the model is applied to a real field case study for optimization of wellbore x in a tight gas reservoir using n-heptane as the frac-fluid. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of important parameters, such as fluid viscosity, injection rate, reservoir permeability etc., on fracture geometry with the proposed fluid. The quicker fracture closure and flowback of n-heptane compared to water-based fluid is advantageous for better proppant placement, especially in the upper half of the fracture and the early start of natural gas production in tight reservoirs. Finally, fracture designs with a minimum dimensionless conductivity of 30 are proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Faisal Mehmood & Michael Z. Hou & Jianxing Liao & Muhammad Haris & Cheng Cao & Jiashun Luo, 2021. "Multiphase Multicomponent Numerical Modeling for Hydraulic Fracturing with N-Heptane for Efficient Stimulation in a Tight Gas Reservoir of Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-26, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:11:p:3111-:d:562895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. S. Liew & Kamaluddeen Usman Danyaro & Noor Amila Wan Abdullah Zawawi, 2020. "A Comprehensive Guide to Different Fracturing Technologies: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, June.
    2. J. David Hughes, 2013. "A reality check on the shale revolution," Nature, Nature, vol. 494(7437), pages 307-308, February.
    3. Robert W. Howarth & Anthony Ingraffea & Terry Engelder, 2011. "Should fracking stop?," Nature, Nature, vol. 477(7364), pages 271-275, September.
    4. Rahm, Dianne, 2011. "Regulating hydraulic fracturing in shale gas plays: The case of Texas," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2974-2981, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiashun Luo & Zhengmeng Hou & Guoqing Feng & Jianxing Liao & Muhammad Haris & Ying Xiong, 2022. "Effect of Reservoir Heterogeneity on CO 2 Flooding in Tight Oil Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Pål Østebø Andersen & Ketil Djurhuus & Reza Askarinezhad & Jonas S. Solbakken, 2022. "Management of High-Water-Cut and Mature Petroleum Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-4, November.

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