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

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Abstract

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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, China

    Ran Lin, Lan Ren & Jinzhou Zhao

  2. Research Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Jianghan Oilfield Branch of Sinopec Group, Wuhan, China

    Leize Wu & Yuanzhao Li

Authors
  1. Ran Lin
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  2. Lan Ren
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  3. Jinzhou Zhao
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  4. Leize Wu
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  5. Yuanzhao Li
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Correspondence to Lan Ren.

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Highlights

• A numerical model of SRV evaluation in shale reservoir was established.

• An optimization method of cluster spacing was developed with the goal of maximizing SRV.

• The optimization method has been applied to a shale gas field to obtain the optimal cluster spacing.

• Formation horizontal stress contrast, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, pump rate, fracturing fluid volume, and viscosity have different impacts on the SRV as well as the optimal cluster spacing.

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Lin, R., Ren, L., Zhao, J. et al. Cluster spacing optimization of multi-stage fracturing in horizontal shale gas wells based on stimulated reservoir volume evaluation. Arab J Geosci 10, 38 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2823-x

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