Pressure Behavior of Horizontal Wells With Multiple Hydraulic Fractures Completed In Shale

The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify the pressure behavior of a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fractures completed in an ultra-low permeability formation. These formations are also referred to as unconventional gas reservoirs. Unconventional gas reservoirs such as shales and tight gas sands have extremely low permeability that requires massive simulation treatments in order to produce at an economic flow rate. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are proven technologies for achieving economic production from unconventional gas reservoirs. A dual porosity reservoir model was employed in this research study to simulate the pressure behavior of horizontal well containing multiple hydraulic fractures. The flow regimes were determined using the diagnostic plot. The impact of the reservoir and the hydraulic fracture properties on the various flow regimes were also investigated. The flow regimes were found to be influenced by the number and conductivity of the hydraulic fractures and natural fracture permeability.