页岩气藏缝网压裂裂缝间距优化研究

页岩气藏一般具有低孔隙、低渗透等特征,对其实施缝网压裂是高效开发页岩气的最佳途径。采用位移不连续法建立线弹性二维均质地层诱导应力场分布数学模型,通过水平应力差异系数对顺序压裂和交替压裂的裂缝间距进行优化研究。结果表明,水平应力差异系数受到裂缝净压力、裂缝缝长、原地应力场等因素的影响;裂缝净压力越大、缝长越长,水平应力差异系数越小;随着与裂缝距离的增加,水平应力差异系数呈现先减小后增加的趋势,因此,存在后续裂缝形成复杂网络的最佳裂缝间距;顺序压裂裂缝间距不宜过大,且后续压裂裂缝间距应适当减小;交替压裂裂缝间距最优时,缝间水平应力差异系数最小,对中间裂缝形成缝网最有利。     

Production rate analysis of multiple-fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs by a trilinear flow model

Most multiple-fractured horizontal wells experience long-term linear flow due to the ultralow permeability of shale gas reservoirs. Considering the existence of natural fractures caused by compression and shear stresses during the process of tectonic movement or the expansion of high-pressure gas, a shale gas reservoir can be more appropriately described by dual-porosity medium. Based on the assumption of slab dual-porosity, this paper uses the trilinear flow model to simulate the transient production behavior of multiple-fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs, which takes the desorption of adsorbed gas, Knudsen diffusion and gas slippage flow in the shale matrix into consideration. Production decline curves are plotted with the Stehfest numerical inversion algorithm, and sensitivity analysis is done to identify the most influential reservoir and hydraulic fracture parameters. It was found that the density and permeability of the natural fracture network are the most important parameters affecting the production dynamics of multiple-fractured horizontal wells in shale gas reservoirs. The higher the density and permeability of the natural fractures are, the shorter the time is required to exploit the same amount of reserve, which means a faster investment payoff period. The analytical model presented in this paper can provide some insight into the reserve evaluation and production prediction for shale gas reservoirs.     

微支撑剂对页岩油气的增产机理及选配原则

水力压裂是页岩油气增产的主要手段,其核心是向储层连续泵入压裂液迫使储层产生水力裂缝/缝网形成油气运移高效通道,从而达到油气增产的目的。相较人工主缝,微裂缝具有数量大、缝宽小、走向复杂等特点,常规支撑剂无法对其形成有效支撑,如何提高微裂缝的导流能力是进一步提高页岩油气产能的关键。微缝导流能力实验表明:微支撑剂嵌入页岩裂缝表面导致一定程度的渗透率损害,但支撑微裂缝的渗透率仍比页岩基质渗透率高出2～3个数量级,仍可为页岩油气运移提供有效渗流通道。本文系统分析了微支撑剂对微裂缝的支撑特性、微支撑剂的长距离输运性能及辅助降滤等特征,提出了微支撑剂对致密油气增产的内在机制。结合我国致密油气储层基质孔隙尺度,形成了考虑微裂缝开度及基质孔隙尺寸的微支撑剂选配原则。     

裂缝参数对考虑滑脱效应页岩气水平井产能的影响

低渗透页岩气藏中,气体渗流时会受滑脱效应的影响。建立了考虑滑脱效应的气、水两相页岩气藏渗流数学模型,并建立了理想地质模型,采用数值模拟方法,研究了水力压裂的不同裂缝参数对水平井产能的影响。模拟结果表明:裂缝条数、长度和间距是影响页岩气井产能的重要参数,而裂缝宽度和渗透率对产能的影响相对较弱;页岩气井的产能随着裂缝条数和裂缝长度的增加而增大;水平井的水平段长度及裂缝条数一定时,可通过增大裂缝间距来减少裂缝间的相互干扰。      

Cluster spacing optimization of multi-stage fracturing in horizontal shale gas wells based on stimulated reservoir volume evaluation

The multi-stage fracturing in horizontal well is a common technique for shale gas reservoir exploitation, in which cluster spacing governs the fracturing performance. Undersized cluster spacing might make the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), activated by the respective hydraulic fracture, excessively overlap with each other, while oversized cluster spacing might leave a large unstimulated volume between neighboring hydraulic fractures; in either case, fracturing would be inefficient. Previous design of cluster spacing has failed to maximize the SRV due to the absence of a dynamic SRV evaluation model. A numerical model of SRV evaluation in shale reservoir was established by integrating four main modules, including fracture propagation, reservoir pressure distribution, formation stress distribution, and natural fracture failure criterion. Then, a method to optimize cluster spacing was developed with the goal of maximizing SRV. In order to validate this method, it was applied in Fuling shale gas reservoir in Southwest China to determine the optimal cluster spacing. The sensitivity of key parameters on the optimal cluster spacing has been analyzed. This research proposed a compelling cluster spacing optimization method, which could reduce the uncertainty in cluster spacing design, and provides some new insights on the optimal design of multi-stage fracturing in horizontal shale gas well.     

页岩气开采的相关实验、模型和环境效应

页岩气是一种重要的非常规天然气资源,正在改变世界能源、经济和政治格局。渗透率是评价页岩气藏商业开采可行性的重要参数之一,由于页岩的致密性,页岩气的流动机理不同于常规气藏,因此,页岩储层渗透率测试和页岩气流动模型已成为当前国际研究的热点课题之一。在对页岩气开采技术简单介绍的基础上,综述了页岩储层渗透率测试的试验和理论研究现状,分析了气体吸附对页岩渗透率的影响。阐述了页岩气流动模型的最新进展,分析了双重孔隙模型描述气体迁移的准确性,提出了描述均匀储层中页岩气解吸-扩散-渗流多级运移模型。评述了页岩气开采的温室效应和对地下水的影响,并简单介绍了适合页岩气开采的新技术即无水压裂开采技术,即采用CO2对页岩气藏分段压裂,同时将CO2埋存于废弃井中。最后,对页岩储层渗透率测试和页岩气流动模型研究的新发展以及无水压裂技术进行了展望。     

离散裂隙网络对页岩气井产能影响的数值模拟

页岩作为典型的非常规储层,基质孔隙小,渗透率极低,水平井多级水力压裂为其商业开发的主要手段。准确模拟页岩气产能,应同时考虑水力裂隙和天然裂隙的渗流。基于离散裂隙模型和等效连续模型建立页岩气渗流数学模型,利用有限元分析方法进行数值求解,研究不同走向裂隙组对页岩气井产能的影响。研究认为,页岩基质为气体的生产提供了主要气源,天然裂隙作为渗流的主要通道,将气体输送到水力裂缝,进而到达井筒。模拟结果表征,离散裂隙的渗流特征对于页岩气井的产能有重要影响。根据页岩储层的天然裂隙走向,可以优化相应的水平井方位。对于二维离散裂隙网络模型,水平井沿着2个裂隙组夹角的平分线更有利于生产。      

页岩储层裂隙渗透率模型和试验研究

页岩储层的裂隙渗透率是评价页岩气开采的重要参数,基于裂隙法向刚度的概念,考虑页岩储层变形过程中裂隙系统和基质系统之间的相互作用以及页岩气解吸引起的体应变,提出了与有效应力相关的页岩储层的渗透率模型。然后分别分析了页岩气藏在单轴应变和常体积条件下的渗透率模型,分析表明,单轴应变和常体积条件下（3个方向的总应变都为0）的裂隙渗透率模型完全一致。采用脉冲衰减渗透率仪测试了煤系页岩的裂隙渗透率,当有效应力从0.7 MPa增加到14.5 MPa时,渗透率从41.81×10-17 m2降到5.43×10-17 m2。为了阐述渗透率模型的有效性,利用煤系页岩的渗透率数据对有效应力-渗透率模型进行拟合。结果表明,当裂隙的法向刚度、张开度和煤系页岩的初始渗透率分别为57 922.5 MPa/m、0.000 17 m和50.15×10-17 m2时,有效应力-渗透率模型和煤系页岩的渗透率拟合程度较好。然后利用现场渗透率数据对该模型进行拟合,结果表明,当裂隙的法向刚度和张开度的关系符合反比例函数时,拟合程度非常好。该渗透率模型适合于单轴应变、常体积和常围压条件,可用于描述页岩气开采过程中页岩储层裂隙渗透率随孔隙压力的变化规律。同时,该渗透率模型和P&M模型以及S&D模型进行了比较,结果表明,该渗透率模型的拟合结果与S&D模型基本一致,但与P&M模型存在一定的差别。     

Effects of mechanical layering on hydraulic fracturing in shale gas reservoirs based on numerical models

Generally, induced hydraulic fractures are generated by fluid overpressure and are used to increase reservoir permeability through forming interconnected fracture systems. However, in heterogeneous and anisotropic rocks, many hydraulic fractures may become arrested or offset at layer contacts under certain conditions and do not form vertically connected fracture networks. Mechanical layering is an important factor causing anisotropy in sedimentary layers. Hence, in this study, with a shale gas reservoir case study in the Longmaxi Formation in the southeastern Chongqing region, Sichuan Basin, we present results from several numerical models to gain quantitative insights into the effects of mechanical layering on hydraulic fracturing. Results showed that the fractured area caused by hydraulic fracturing indicated a linear relationship with the neighboring layer’s Young’s modulus. An increase of the neighboring layer’s Young’s modulus resulted in better hydraulic fracturing effects. In addition, the contact between two neighboring layers is regarded as a zone with thickness and mechanical properties, which also influences the effects of hydraulic fracturing in reservoirs. The initial hydraulic fracture was unable to propagate into neighboring layers under a relatively low contact’s Young’s modulus. When associated local tensile stresses exceeded the rock strength, hydraulic fractures propagated into neighboring layers. Moreover, with the contact’s Young’s modulus becoming higher, the fractured area increased rapidly first, then slowly and finally became stable.     

Permeability tensor and representative elementary volume of fractured rock masses

Based on a simulation of three-dimensional fracture networks and a superposition principle of liquid dissipation energy for fractured rock masses, a model of the fracture permeability tensor is proposed. An elastic constitutive model of rock fractures, considering fracture closure and dilation during shearing, is also proposed, based on the dilation angle of the fracture. Algorithms of flow-path searching and calculation of the effective flow coefficients for fracture networks are presented, together with a discussion on the influence of geometric parameters of the fractures (trace length, spacing, aperture, orientation and the number of fracture sets) on magnitude, anisotropy of hydraulic permeability and the size of a representative elementary volume (REV). The anisotropy of hydraulic permeability of fractured rock masses is mainly affected by orientation and the number of fracture sets, and the REV size is mainly influenced by trace length, spacing and the number of fracture sets. The results of studies on REV size and the influence of in-situ stress on hydraulic conductivity of the rock mass on the slope of Jinping-I hydropower station, China, are presented using the developed models and methods. The simulation results agreed well with the results obtained from field water-pressure measurements, with an error of less than 10 %.     

页岩水力压裂过程的态型近场动力学模拟研究

水力压裂技术广泛使用于页岩气开采工程中。为了分析压裂过程中多裂缝扩展形成复杂裂缝网的机制,尝试将态型近场动力学理论引入页岩水平井水力压裂过程的力学建模与数值仿真,在物质点间相互作用力模型中加入等效水压力项以实现在新生裂缝面上跟踪施加水压力,建立了水力压裂过程的近场动力学分析模型。通过模拟页岩储层的水力压裂过程,可得到复杂的裂缝扩展路径、裂缝网络的形成过程以及裂缝扩展受射孔间距及页岩天然裂缝和层理的影响。研究结果表明:射孔间距过小会造成起裂干扰,使中心射孔的裂缝扩展受到抑制;在压裂压力一定的情况下适当增大射孔间距,可以显著增强页岩压裂形成裂缝网的能力;压裂过程中水平层理面可能张开形成水平裂缝,且天然裂缝会诱导形成更复杂的垂直裂缝。模型和方法可为页岩水力压裂过程和机制研究及工程实践提供参考。     

充填天然裂缝对页岩受载过程中渗透率变化规律影响机理分析

页岩气开采需要对储层进行大规模人工水力压裂改造,为了研究压裂过程中页岩渗透率变化规律及其机理,文章通过对含充填天然裂缝和不含天然裂缝两块页岩岩样进行流-固耦合物理模拟实验,并结合样品的全岩X-射线衍射分析,获得以下认识:加卸载过程中,应力-应变曲线中应力小平台的出现可以指示样品中微裂缝的形成与闭合,是渗透率变化的内在机制;当岩样达到破裂条件形成显裂缝后,样品发生永久性变形,从而达到渗透率增大的效果;受载过程中,微裂缝易沿着天然裂缝脆弱面发育,并不断积累连通成裂缝网络,是形成两块岩样渗透率变化差异的机理。      

A Comprehensive Numerical Study of Hydraulic Fracturing Process and Its Affecting Parameters

Production of hydrocarbons from shale formations has been made possible mainly due to hydraulic fracture (HF) technology. It increases the permeability of reservoir rocks around a well by connecting fractures and improving conductivity. HF behavior especially in presence of natural fractures have recently given much attention in studies. This paper investigates HF propagation and its associated parameters in various conditions. A higher order displacement discontinuity method is used to achieve higher accuracy in the results. First, behavior of crack opening displacement (COD) of an HF i.e. HF width in various conditions is studied. COD is a key parameter in determination of an HF operation success. It is proportional to production rate of oil and gas wells and provides a path for proppant entrance into the fractures. An equation considering many important parameters, based on numerous numerical modellings of various mechanical and geometrical effects on COD is proposed with coefficient of determination and standard error of 94.35% and 4.37 × 10^?4 respectively. The next part of the paper studies the HF propagation in a naturally fractured reservoir. These natural fractures alter the stress fields and hence affect the propagation of a hydraulic fracture. In fact, it is shown that in certain orientations of hydraulic fractures and natural fractures, the effect of natural fractures disappear or completely changes propagation path. Using a combination of several interaction criteria, a new modeling of HFs and NFs interaction is presented. The modellings showed that spacing and angle of intersection can significantly affect HFs propagation. The results of COD and HF propagation in presence of natural fractures may be considered in HG design and primary orientation of perforated fractures.     

Coupled Numerical Evaluations of the Geomechanical Interactions Between a Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation and a Natural Fracture System in Shale Formations

Due to the low permeability of many shale reservoirs, multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in horizontal wells is used to increase the productive, stimulated reservoir volume. However, each created hydraulic fracture alters the stress field around it, and subsequent fractures are affected by the stress field from previous fractures. The results of a numerical evaluation of the effect of stress field changes (stress shadowing), as a function of natural fracture and geomechanical properties, are presented, including a detailed evaluation of natural fracture shear failure (and, by analogy, the generated microseismicity) due to a created hydraulic fracture. The numerical simulations were performed using continuum and discrete element modeling approaches in both mechanical-only and fully coupled, hydro-mechanical modes. The results show the critical impacts that the stress field changes from a created hydraulic fracture have on the shear of the natural fracture system, which in-turn, significantly affects the success of the hydraulic fracture stimulation. Furthermore, the results provide important insight into: the role of completion design (stage spacing) and operational parameters (rate, viscosity, etc.) on the possibility of enhancing the stimulation of the natural fracture network (‘complexity’); the mechanisms that generate the microseismicity that occurs during a hydraulic fracture stimulation; and the interpretation of the generated microseismicity in relation to the volume of stimulated reservoir formation.     

页岩水平井多段分簇压裂起裂压力数值模拟

页岩储层孔隙度和渗透率极低,天然裂缝和水平层理发育,常规压裂增产措施无法满足页岩气的开发要求,水平井多段分簇压裂是页岩气开发的关键技术之一,该技术能够大幅度提升压裂改造的体积、产气量和最终采收率。为确定页岩储层水平井多段分簇射孔压裂的起裂点和起裂压力,采用有限元方法建立了水平井套管完井（考虑水泥环和套管的存在）多段分簇射孔的全三维起裂模型。数值模型的起裂压力与室内试验结果吻合较好,证明了数值模型的准确性和可靠性。利用数值模型研究了页岩水平井多段分簇射孔压裂的起裂点和起裂压力的影响因素,研究发现：射孔孔眼附近无天然裂缝或水平层理影响,起裂点发生在射孔簇孔眼的根部;射孔簇间距越小,中间射孔簇的干扰越大,可能造成中间的射孔簇无法起裂;射孔密度和孔眼长度增大,起裂压力降低;天然裂缝的存在,在某些情况能够降低起裂压力且改变起裂位置,主要与天然裂缝的分布方位及水平主应力差有关;水平层理可能会降低起裂压力,但与垂向主应力与水平最小主应力的差值有关。获得的起裂压力变化规律,可作为进一步研究水平井多段分簇射孔条件下的裂缝扩展规律的基础,可以为压裂设计和施工的射孔参数确定及优化给出具体建议。     

Major factors influencing proppant behaviour and proppant-associated damage mechanisms during hydraulic fracturing

The ultra-low permeability of shale reservoirs necessitates engineering applications such as hydraulic fracturing to enable the extraction of economically viable amounts of gas. In this process, a high-pressure fluid is injected into the reservoir to create a network of fractures. Proppants are solid, spherical, high-strength particles with size range between 8 and 140 mesh (105 μm–2.38 mm), which are injected into the reservoir simultaneously with fracturing fluid to prompt the opening of the fractures created, and they play a major role in the hydraulic fracturing process. As a result, appropriate management of proppants in shale reservoirs based on precise identification of their behaviour in shale reservoirs is necessary, because unexpected proppant performance or behaviour, commonly known as proppant damage mechanisms, can greatly reduce fracture conductivity. Therefore, it is essential to determine the major factors affecting proppant behaviour in order to maintain constant fracture conductivity. Numerous factors have been found in previous studies, and they can be summarized into three major groups: proppant properties, reservoir properties and hydraulic fracturing production, which affect proppant damage mechanisms. In the present paper, case studies have been provided on the determination of potential factors influencing proppant behaviour, followed by a discussion of their effects on fracture conductivity. The aim of this study is to present current opinions on potential factors influencing proppant behaviour based on a comprehensive literature review.     

流-固耦合物理模拟实验及其对页岩压裂改造的启示

页岩压裂改造过程中渗透率变化和压裂缝扩展的机理对页岩气开发压裂工程设计具有重要意义,通过页岩岩心首次加载-卸载-二次加载流-固耦合物理模拟实验和二次加载实验后岩心微米CT成像分析,揭示出两个重要现象:(1) 首次加载-卸载-二次加载过程,有助于提高岩心的渗透率;(2) 在二次加载过程中,岩心渗透率随轴压增加出现增加或降低不同的现象,分别对应压裂缝的有序化和方向性扩展或无序化和局部糜棱化扩展.实验获得的认识对页岩储层压裂改造有两条启示:(1) 泵入-停泵-再泵入循环压裂有助于改善页岩气储层的渗透率;(2) 对天然裂缝发育的页岩储层,压裂规模的针对性设计十分关键.      

An adjoint-based optimization method for gas production in shale reservoirs

In this work, we consider a new model for flow in a multiporosity shale gas reservoir constructed within the framework of an upscaling procedure where hydraulic fractures are treated as (\(n-1\)) interfaces (\(n=2,3\)). Within this framework, the hydrodynamics is governed by a new pressure equation in the shale matrix which is treated as a homogenized porous medium composed of organic matter (kerogen aggregates with nanopores) and inorganic impermeable solid (clay, calcite, quartz) separated from each other by a network of interparticle pores of micrometer size. The solution of the pressure equation is strongly influenced by the constitutive response of the retardation parameter and effective hydraulic conductivity where the former incorporates gas adsorption/desorption in the nanopores of the kerogen. By focusing our analyses on this nonlinear diffusion equation in the domain occupied by the shale matrix, an optimization strategy seated on the adjoint sensitivity method is developed to minimize a cost functional related to gas production and net present value in a single hydraulic fracture. The gradient of the objective functional computed with the adjoint formulation is explored to update the controlled pressure drop aiming to optimize production in a given window of time. The combination of the direct approach and gradient-based optimization using the adjoint formulation leads to the construction of optimal production scenarios under controlled pressure decline in the well. Numerical simulations illustrate the potential of the methodology proposed herein in optimizing gas production.     

微地震技术评价中牟区块体积压裂的效果

微地震监测技术是页岩气开采过程中对页岩气储层压裂效果评价和指导压裂过程的重要手段,可通过观察、分析压裂过程中诱发微地震事件,获取压裂裂缝参数、导流能力、裂缝展布发育方向等信息。中牟区块牟页1井具有低孔、低渗储层特征,对含气层段的三层储层,采用大排量水力压裂施工,进行地面微地震监测、井中微破裂成像技术压裂监测及微地震监测;牟页1井监测压裂结果显示为缝长251～496m,缝宽120～252m,改造体积约为237.5×104～387.7×104 m3,方位角64°～80°。压裂实施使储层裂缝开启含气层段得到改造,指导了实时压裂和压裂效果评价。     

页岩水平井体积压裂设计的一种新方法

页岩水平井常采用体积压裂技术获得产能,压裂形成的缝网体积、渗透率是影响压裂效果的关键因素。目前页岩体积压裂设计借用产能预测模型优化缝网参数,此模型较复杂,不便于现场应用。根据等效渗流原理,将页岩储层压裂后形成的缝网系统等效为一个高渗透带,建立了体积压裂缝网参数与施工规模关系模型,提出了体积压裂设计的3个步骤:体积压裂可行性研究、数值模拟优化缝网参数和施工参数优化。根据QY2页岩油水平井特征,进行了体积压裂设计和现场实施。结果表明:压裂形成的高渗透带对产能的贡献最大;高渗透带数量、体积和渗透率增加,压裂后的累积产量和采出程度逐渐增加,存在最优的高渗透带参数。现场应用表明这种设计方法方便实用,可以推广。