This research work presents a new method for estimating fracture properties for a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fractures in shale gas reservoirs. This method utilizes the production data obtained during the linear flow period to provide reliable estimates of both fracture half-length and formation permeability. The new method provides an excellent alternative to the conventional pressure transient analysis methods. It requires neither the existence of the elliptical flow nor the pseudoradial flow periods and thus reduces the impractical long times required for well testing in horizontal wells drilled in shale gas reservoirs. The conventional pressure transient analysis methods require an independent estimate of formation permeability from the pseudo-radial flow period in other to estimate fracture half-length and fracture conductivity from linear and bilinear flow periods respectively. A readily available noisy production data can be easily analyzed for fracture property estimates using the new method by coupling with a stable deconvolution technology which converts variable production-rate and pressure measurements into an equivalent constant-rate pressure drawdown test. The required inputs to utilize the proposed methodology are production data and basic reservoir properties such as formation thickness, formation temperature, porosity, fluid compressibility and viscosity. Because of the relative simplicity of this method, it does not require special expertise to use. This study presents synthetic cases to illustrate the proposed method and demonstrate its' validity and applicability. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Yueming Cheng, my research advisor and academic sponsor, for her constant financial and academic support throughout the course of this research work and my graduate study at West Virginia University. Her professionalism and knowledge of the subject of research is splendid. Her financial support, professional assistance and advice are greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank the other members of my research committee. I strongly appreciate the constant support and advice from Dr. Sam Ameri, Department Chair, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering department. He has been a father and friend throughout my study at the university. I greatly appreciate the continuous support from Dr. Khashayar Aminian, for his wisdom and excellent communications skills as an educator. He has greatly impacted my academic life. It is my pleasure and honor to have him on my committee. I would like to thank everyone in the Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, especially Ms. Beverly Matheny for her friendly ambience. My sincere appreciation also goes to my parents for their unconditional love, financial and moral supports, prayers and advice throughout my endeavors in life. I cannot thank you enough. I also thank my siblings, Doyinsola, Abiodun and Abiola Aboaba, for their love and understanding. And to my wife, Bola Aboaba, I thank you for being there always. iv TABL...
This research work presents a new method for estimating fracture properties for a horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fractures in shale gas reservoirs. This method utilizes the production data obtained during the linear flow period to provide reliable estimates of both fracture half-length and formation permeability. The new method provides an excellent alternative to the conventional pressure transient analysis methods. It requires neither the existence of the elliptical flow nor the pseudoradial flow periods and thus reduces the impractical long times required for well testing in horizontal wells drilled in shale gas reservoirs. The conventional pressure transient analysis methods require an independent estimate of formation permeability from the pseudo-radial flow period in other to estimate fracture half-length and fracture conductivity from linear and bilinear flow periods respectively. A readily available noisy production data can be easily analyzed for fracture property estimates using the new method by coupling with a stable deconvolution technology which converts variable production-rate and pressure measurements into an equivalent constant-rate pressure drawdown test. The required inputs to utilize the proposed methodology are production data and basic reservoir properties such as formation thickness, formation temperature, porosity, fluid compressibility and viscosity. Because of the relative simplicity of this method, it does not require special expertise to use. This study presents synthetic cases to illustrate the proposed method and demonstrate its' validity and applicability. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Yueming Cheng, my research advisor and academic sponsor, for her constant financial and academic support throughout the course of this research work and my graduate study at West Virginia University. Her professionalism and knowledge of the subject of research is splendid. Her financial support, professional assistance and advice are greatly appreciated. I would also like to thank the other members of my research committee. I strongly appreciate the constant support and advice from Dr. Sam Ameri, Department Chair, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering department. He has been a father and friend throughout my study at the university. I greatly appreciate the continuous support from Dr. Khashayar Aminian, for his wisdom and excellent communications skills as an educator. He has greatly impacted my academic life. It is my pleasure and honor to have him on my committee. I would like to thank everyone in the Department of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, especially Ms. Beverly Matheny for her friendly ambience. My sincere appreciation also goes to my parents for their unconditional love, financial and moral supports, prayers and advice throughout my endeavors in life. I cannot thank you enough. I also thank my siblings, Doyinsola, Abiodun and Abiola Aboaba, for their love and understanding. And to my wife, Bola Aboaba, I thank you for being there always. iv TABL...
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