Progress in key technologies for evaluating marine shale gas development in China

Abstract

The Lower Paleozoic Longmaxi and Qiongzhusi Formatiion shale plays were taken as research objects to summarize the geologic and reservoir characteristics of marine shale gas in China. Based on the theory and technology achievements made during the twelfth five-year plan, a key index system was established to evaluate shale gas well production effect in China, and a comprehensive classification was consequently presented by integrating geological statistical indexes and economic evaluation indexes; to characterize the complex fracture network formed by fracturing, a generalized analytical model was established by incorporating fractal and continuum geometry theory to capture the transient behavior of such fractured horizontal well throughout production life. An associated probabilistic analysis, based on the Monte Carlo simulation was presented by linking a probabilistic worksheet with the analytical model, and then used to determine a range of possible outcomes (i.e., EUR, decline rate and production time). Meanwhile, an optimization approach for development parameters, including fractured horizontal segment, fracture geometry (i.e., fracture length, conductivity, number), well spacing and drawdown management was advanced. There are still many unresolved problems on geologic theory, flow mechanism and productivity evaluation method, development technical policy and economic benefits, which limit large-scale and high-efficiency exploitation of shale gas resource in China. Key words: shale gas, reservoir characteristics, productivity evaluation, horizontal section length, fracture parameter, development well spacing, production system