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The Impact of the Geometry of the Effective Propped Volume on the Economic Performance of Shale Gas Well Production

Author

Listed:
  • Andres Soage

    (Group of Numerical Methods in Engineering, Universidadeda Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Ruben Juanes

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
    Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA)

  • Ignasi Colominas

    (Group of Numerical Methods in Engineering, Universidadeda Coruña, Campus de Elviña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Luis Cueto-Felgueroso

    (Department of Civil Engineering: Hydraulics, Energy and Environment, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28006 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

We analyze the effect that the geometry of the Effective Propped Volume (EPV) has on the economic performance of hydrofractured multistage shale gas wells. We study the sensitivity of gas production to the EPV’s geometry and we compare it with the sensitivity to other parameters whose relevance in the production of shale gas is well known: porosity, kerogen content and permeability induced in the Stimulated Recovery Volume (SRV). To understand these sensitivities, we develop a high-fidelity 3D numerical model of shale gas flow that allows determining both the Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) of gas as well as analyzing the decline curves of gas production (DCA). We find that the geometry of the EPV plays an important role in the economic performance and gas production of shale wells. The relative contribution of EPV geometry is comparable to that of induced permeability of the SRV or formation porosity. Our results may lead to interesting technological developments in the oild and gas industry that improve economic efficiency in shale gas production.

Suggested Citation

  • Andres Soage & Ruben Juanes & Ignasi Colominas & Luis Cueto-Felgueroso, 2021. "The Impact of the Geometry of the Effective Propped Volume on the Economic Performance of Shale Gas Well Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:9:p:2475-:d:543822
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    References listed on IDEAS

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