Title: Fast marching method for evaluation of reserves drainage volume in shale gas reservoirs considering multi-well interference

Authors: Miaomiao Liu; Fenglan Zhao; Shijun Huang; Guoliang Li

Addresses: College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing, 102249, China ' College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing, 102249, China ' College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing, 102249, China ' College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing, 102249, China

Abstract: The fast marching method (FMM) has shown considerable potential for rapid modelling of unconventional gas reservoirs, particularly excelling in pressure front tracking efficiency. In this study, an FMM-based evaluation method is established for analysing reserves drainage volume in shale gas reservoirs under multi-well conditions. The effects of fracturing stages, stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) permeability, fracturing stage spacing, horizontal well spacing, and fracture half-length on production are investigated. By combining numerical simulation with FMM, the production of shale reservoir is analysed, and the reservoir performance is further investigated employing a three-dimensional well network development pattern. The results demonstrate that fracturing stages have the greatest impact on drainage volume, followed by fracturing stage spacing. Fracture half-length, horizontal well spacing, and SRV permeability have the least impact on drainage volume. The three-dimensional well network development pattern can reduce interference between horizontal wells at the same layer, increasing cumulative gas production by over 20%. [Received: July 10, 2024; Accepted: August 19, 2024]

Keywords: shale gas reservoir; reserves evaluation; fast marching methods; FMM; tridimensional well pattern.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2025.148039

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2025 Vol.38 No.2, pp.171 - 198

Received: 03 Jul 2024
Accepted: 19 Aug 2024
Published online: 15 Aug 2025 *

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