Integrated Geomechanics and Multiporosity Reservoir Simulation: Investigating Improved Oil Recovery by Huff-and-Puff Gas Injection in Shale Petroleum Reservoirs
Date
2023-08-30
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Abstract
In shale formations, multiple stress-dependent porosity systems coexist, and fluid flow occurs through several processes that are also affected by rock deformation. This multiporosity, multitransport mechanisms and stress-dependent nature of shale reservoirs must be honored when modeling them. Thus, the objective of this dissertation is to develop an integrated numerical simulator of fluid flow and geomechanics that incorporates several storage and transport mechanisms of shale reservoirs and how they are affected by rock deformation. At the same time, this work investigates huff-and-puff gas injection to improve oil recoveries, which is one of the main challenges of shale play exploitation. This thesis attains these goals by: Introducing a methodology that integrates calculation of stresses and deformation of the fractured porous medium; changes in matrix (organic and inorganic) porosities and permeabilities, and fractures (natural and hydraulic) permeabilities; and their effect on production performance of shale reservoirs by primary recovery and huff-and-puff gas injection. Building a coupled geomechanics-fluid flow model that implements the methodology described above. History matching a huff-and-puff pilot well in the Eagle Ford Shale using multiporosity reservoir simulation and investigating the effect of adsorption and diffusion from solid kerogen. Carrying out a history match of data from a huff-and-puff pilot well in the Eagle Ford Shale using a commercial reservoir simulator and investigating several scenarios with the tuned model. Evaluating possible combinations of huff-and-puff gas injection and hydraulic refracturing to improve oil recoveries in shale reservoirs. It is concluded that the integrated multiporosity, multitransport mechanisms and stress-dependent model developed in this thesis properly evaluates changes that occur in the various porosities and permeabilities, and transport mechanisms in shales during primary production and huff-and-puff gas injection.
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Geomechanics, Shale Reservoirs, Improved Oil Recovery, Huff-and-Puff, Gas Injection, Reservoir Simulation, Refracturing, Unconventional Reservoirs, Coupling, Rock Mechanics, Adsorption, Diffusion, Numerical Simulation, Finite Elements, Finite Differences, Multiporosity, Huff and Puff
Citation
Fragoso Amaya, A. R. (2023). Integrated geomechanics and multiporosity reservoir simulation: investigating improved oil recovery by huff-and-puff gas injection in shale petroleum reservoirs (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.