Analysis of Decline Curves Based on Beta Derivative

Abstract

This paper presents a new simplified method for forecasting oil and gas production during transient and boundary dominated flow (BDF), which does not require the use of complex analytical or numerical modeling tools. The method is based on the behaviour of the beta derivative (), where two approximate straight lines are obtained during transient flow and BDF with slopes and , respectively. The method is applicable not only to vertical wells in conventional reservoirs producing during BDF but also to hydraulically fractured vertical/multifractured horizontal wells in unconventional reservoirs with prevailing transient (linear) flow. Upon selection of an appropriate (which mainly depends upon the type of flow regime, i.e., radial or linear) and using the proposed equations, type curves can be generated that provide a convenient method for obtaining the slopes of beta derivatives for transient flow ( ) and BDF ( ) through a type curve matching process. The method is validated by comparing results against oil and gas numerical simulations of vertical and hydraulically fracture vertical wells.The developed method is not biased toward any flow regime or presence of skin. Flow regime and skin effects are embedded in the and parameters. Transient and BDF flow are accounted for through the slopes and , respectively. Corroborated with the use of numerical simulation, the proposed method provides reliable production rate forecasting while staying away from the complexities of analytical or numerical modeling.