Unconventional Fracture Networks Simulation and Shale Gas Production Prediction by Integration of Petrophysics, Geomechanics and Fracture Characterization

Abstract

The proficient application of multistage fracturing methods enhances the status of the Duvernay shale formation as a highly esteemed shale reservoir on a global scale. Nevertheless, the challenge is in accurately characterizing unconventional fracture behavior and predicting shale productivity due to the complex distributions of natural fractures, pre-existing faults, and reservoir heterogeneity. The present study puts forth a Geo-Engineering approach to comprehensively investigate the Duvernay shale reservoir in the vicinity of Crooked Lake. To begin with, on the basis of the experimental results and well-logging interpretations, a high-quality petrophysical and geomechanical model is constructed. Subsequently, the establishment of an unconventional fracture model (UFM) takes into account the heterogeneity of the reservoir and the interactions between hydraulic fractures and pre-existing natural fractures/faults and is further validated by 18,040 microseismic events. Finally, the analysis of well productivity is conducted by numerical simulations, revealing that the agreement between the simulated and observed production magnitudes exceeds 89%. This paper will guide the efficient development of increasingly important unconventional shale resources.

Keywords

• geo-engineering approach
• reservoir features
• unconventional fracture modeling
• production prediction
• Duvernay shale reservoirs