Browsing by Subject "Horizontal Wells"
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Item A Triple-Porosity Model for Fractured Horizontal Wells(2010-10-12) Alahmadi, Hasan Ali H.Fractured reservoirs have been traditionally idealized using dual-porosity models. In these models, all matrix and fractures systems have identical properties. However, it is not uncommon for naturally fractured reservoirs to have orthogonal fractures with different properties. In addition, for hydraulically fractured reservoirs that have preexisting natural fractures such as shale gas reservoirs, it is almost certain that these types of fractures are present. Therefore, a triple-porosity (dual-fracture) model is developed in this work for characterizing fractured reservoirs with different fractures properties. The model consists of three contiguous porous media: the matrix, less permeable micro-fractures and more permeable macro-fractures. Only the macro-fractures produce to the well while they are fed by the micro-fractures only. Consequently, the matrix feeds the micro-fractures only. Therefore, the flow is sequential from one medium to the other. Four sub-models are derived based on the interporosity flow assumption between adjacent media, i.e., pseudosteady state or transient flow assumption. These are fully transient flow model (Model 1), fully pseudosteady state flow model (Model 4) and two mixed flow models (Model 2 and 3). The solutions were mainly derived for linear flow which makes this model the first triple-porosity model for linear reservoirs. In addition, the Laplace domain solutions are also new and have not been presented in the literature before in this form. Model 1 is used to analyze fractured shale gas horizontal wells. Non-linear regression using least absolute value method is used to match field data, mainly gas rate. Once a match is achieved, the well model is completely described. Consequently, original gas in place (OGIP) can be estimated and well future performance can be forecasted.Item Acid Placement in Acid Jetting Treatments in Long Horizontal Wells(2012-07-16) Sasongko, HariIn the Middle East, extended reach horizontal wells (on the order of 25,000 feet of horizontal displacement) are commonly acid stimulated by jetting acid out of drill pipe. The acid is jetted onto the face of the openhole wellbore as the drill pipe is withdrawn from the well. The jetting action helps to remove the drilling fluid filter cake and promote the acid to penetrate into the formation and form wormholes to stimulate the well. However, with very long sections of wellbore open to flow, the acid placement and subsequent wormhole distribution and penetration depths are uncertain. This study has modeled the acid jetting process using a comprehensive model of acid placement and wormhole propagation in a horizontal well. It is presumed that the acid jetting tool removes the drilling mud filter cake, so that no filter cake exists between the end of the drill pipe and the toe of the well. Correspondingly, the model also assumes that there is an intact, low-permeability filter cake on the borehole wall between the end of the drill pipe and the heel of the well. The drill pipe is modeled as being withdrawn from the well during the acid jetting treatment, as is done in practice. The acidizing simulator predicts the distribution of acid and the depths of wormholes formed as functions of time and position during the acid jetting treatment. The model shows that the acid jetting process as typically applied in these wells preferentially stimulates the toe region of the horizontal well. Comparisons of the simulation predictions with published data for acid jetting treatments in such wells showed good general agreement. Based on the simulation study, this study presents recommendations for improved acid jetting treatment procedures to improve the distribution of acid injected into the formation.Item Optimization of fractured well performance of horizontal gas wells(2009-06-02) Magalhaes, Fellipe VieiraIn low-permeability gas reservoirs, horizontal wells have been used to increase the reservoir contact area, and hydraulic fracturing has been further extending the contact between wellbores and reservoirs. This thesis presents an approach to evaluate horizontal well performance for fractured or unfractured gas wells and a sensitivity study of gas well performance in a low permeability formation. A newly developed Distributed Volumetric Sources (DVS) method was used to calculate dimensionless productivity index for a defined source in a box-shaped domain. The unique features of the DVS method are that it can be applied to transient flow and pseudo-steady state flow with a smooth transition between the boundary conditions. In this study, I conducted well performance studies by applying the DVS method to typical tight sandstone gas wells in the US basins. The objective is to determine the best practice to produce horizontal gas wells. For fractured wells, well performance of a single fracture and multiple fractures are compared, and the effect of the number of fractures on productivity of the well is presented based on the well productivity. The results from this study show that every basin has a unique ideal set of fracture number and fracture length. Permeability plays an important role on dictating the location and the dimension of the fractures. This study indicated that in order to achieve optimum production, the lower the permeability of the formation, the higher the number of fractures.