Analytical model to simulate production of tight reservoirs with discrete fracture network using multi-linear flow

Abstract A common way to produce hydrocarbons from tight reservoirs is to use volume fracturing. After volume fracturing, the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) always exists around the wellbore. To characterize the SRV, many work have been done using simulation methods. The Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) model is one of the commonly used simulation methods. Based on the simulated results of DFN model, this paper constructed a multi-linear flow model to analyze the pressure transient and rate transient behaviors in tight oil reservoirs with SRV, where the reservoir is divided into many regions including matrix system outside the fracture network, matrix system inside the fracture network, fracture network system. We formulates the 1-D flow solutions for each region, and then couple them by imposing flux and pressure continuity across the boundaries between regions. We solve the model with the linear flow model and using Laplace transform and Stehfest algorithm comprehensively. The model solution is verified with numerical simulation thoroughly. And we test the model with field cases to analyze fractured well performance in tight oil reservoir. History matching results are shown according to real production data. Sensitivity studies to quantify the key parameters affecting the well performance were performed finally. Five variables, which are fracture spacing, fracture network size, fracture network conductivity, matrix permeability and reservoir size, were investigated. The presented new model and obtained results can enrich the production performance analysis methods for tight oil reservoirs.