Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Reservoir Engineering Aspects

of Unconventional Resources

Rate Transient Analysis (RTA):

Utilization of
Time-Rate-Pressure Analysis Methods
for Production Data and Flow Diagnostics

Tom BLASINGAME
Petroleum Engineering
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-3116 (USA)
+1.979.845.2292 — t-blasingame@tamu.edu
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 72
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

"First Principles of Production Analysis" (1935 Rawlins and Schellhardt)

Gas Well Deliverability:

 The original well deliverability
relation was derived from
Back-Pressure Data on Natural-Gas Wells and Their Application to Production

observations:
qg  C( p2  p2 )n
wf
Practices — Rawlins and Schellhardt (USBM Monograph, 1935).

 The "inflow performance relation-

ship" (or IPR) for this case is:
(assuming n=1)
qg  C ( p 2  p 2 )
wf
2
qg ,max  C( p ) ( p  0)
wf
 p 2
qg  wf 
 

 1  

q g ,max 


p 



Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 73

Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Completions Production Reservoir Fluids Geomodel

Time-
Time- Rate- Reservoir
Rate Pressure Model
Rates

Rates

Rates

Pressure
Pressure
Time Time Time

Time Time

Model: Time-Rate Model: Time-Rate-Pressure Model: Time-Rate-Pressure

Basis: Proxy model Basis: Analytical/Numerical Basis: Full Numerical
●Predictions ●Predictions ●Predictions
●EUR ●EUR/SRV ●EUR/SRV
●Correlations ●Estimate Properties ●Flow Mechanisms
Time: Minutes/well Time: ~1 hour/well Time: Days to weeks/well
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 74
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Guidelines for Performance-Based Reservoir Characterizations

● Review all production data for consistency.
● Review well history, particularly recompletions/stimulations.
● Gather/correlate available petrophysical data (core, logs, etc.).
● Perform simplified analysis of production (Arps, EUR, etc.).

● Attempt to correlate measured rate/pressures (quality check).

● Perform model-based analysis of production (and well test) data.

● Integrate results at different scales to establish correlation(s).

Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 75
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Production Analysis Procedure

Procedure:
Step 1: Data Review → Review "Production History Plot" for data
quality/correlation.
Step 2: Data Review → Data correlation check (pwf (or ptf) vs. rate plot).
Crude comparison, only for general trends.
Step 3: Clean/Edit Data for Clarity → Remove spurious data from log-log data
plots used for diagnosis.
Step 4: Identify Flow Regimes (Diagnostics) → Identify characteristic flow
regimes using normalized PI/Blasingame plots.
Step 5: Compare Data to Reservoir Model → Use "Type Curves" to
compare/match the data with a reservoir model.
Step 6: Refine Model Parameters → Improve match of model parameters (k,
s, xf, FcD, ...) using individual type curves, simulation models, and/or
regression methods.
Step 7: Summary History Match → Final "history match" of model and raw
well performance data (pwf and q).

Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 76

Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Rate-Transient Analysis Overview

Objectives of Production Data Analysis (Rate-Transient Analysis)

Expected Results:
●"Conventional" Decline Curve Analysis: (Arps, etc.) — empirical relations
used to provide estimates of recovery and forecasts of future performance.
●"Model-Based" Analyses: Using analytical/numerical reservoir models to
perform simultaneous analysis/modelling procedures. Provides estimates
of dynamic formation properties (k, S, xf, dual porosity properties, etc.)
●"Model-Based" Forecasting: A direct extension of model-based analysis —
generation of a time-dependent pressure and/or rate forecast.
Data Requirements/Assessment/Review:
●Are production data available? (BOTH rates and PRESSURES!)
●Is the well completion history available? (review for issues)
●PVT and static reservoir properties? (must be assessed/included)
●Is the production "analyzable?" (can major issues be resolved?)

Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 77

Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Rate-Transient Analysis Orientation

Orientation:
●Analysis and forecasting methods based on conventional processes …
●Flow phenomenon in unconventional reservoirs is not known/represented …
●No knowledge of terminal production behavior in unconventional reservoirs …
●Decline analyses performed on transient responses …
●Flow geometry/drainage area is uncertain/unknown …
●Need a multi-well approach …

Pressure Drop Normalized Rate, Mscf/d/psi

Slope
= 1:1

(Materials prepared by Dilhan ILK)

Wang et al, 2009 (SPE 124253)

Production Time, Days

Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 78

Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Linear Flow Solution

Solution for a Single Fracture: (transient linear flow)

pD   t Dxf
1 1 kct 1
q ( pi  pwf ) Axf
8.1282 B  t
Note: These solutions are only
1 valid for transient linear flow
q  C Axf [i.e., the case of non-
t interfering pressure
distributions (due to the
Additive Fractures: (transient linear flow) fractures)].

qtot  C k [ Axf,1  Axf, 2 

Axf, 3  Axf, 4 

+ + + → 1
...  Axf, n ]
t
1
qtot  C k ( Axf ) tot
t
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 79
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Time-Rate Behavior — (Formation) Linear Flow — p/q versus SQRT[t ] Plot

●Formation Linear Flow: (t = t or tmb (material balance time))
■ Log-log diagnostic plot: log[p/q] versus log[t ] (slope = -1:2)
■ "Traditional" plot: p/q versus SQRT[t ] (straight-line portion)
■ Extrapolation of rate using a linear flow model will over-predict EUR…
●Governing Relation: ( pi  pwf )  melf t
q
( pi  p wf )
Where melf is the slope of the straight - line trend on a plot of vs t .
q
 1
Solving for the k Ax f , tot term, k Ax f , tot  8.128494 B .
ct melf

Deviation from Linear Flow

Apparent 1/1 slope 1
Log[Reciprocal Productivity Index]

(most likely liquid-loading)

1 Deviation from

Reciprocal Productivity Index

Linear Flow Region

1
2
melf

Linear Flow Region

(1/2 slope)

Linear Flow
Region

Log[Material Balance Time] Square Root of Material Balance Time

a. (Log-log plot): Reciprocal productivity index versus material balance time, b. (Square root plot): Reciprocal productivity index versus square root of
multiple wells. material balance time, multiple wells.
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 80
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Rate-Time Analysis — Start and End of Linear Flow (Gas Shales)

Data taken from publicly available sources — Horizontal Shale (Dry) Gas Wells ONLY

qg (t )  qgi /[(1  bDi t ) (1 / b) ]

Heckman, T.L., et al (2013): Best Practices for Reserves Estimation in

Discussion: Unconventional Reservoirs — Present and Future Considerations,

●START of "Linear Flow" (~3-6 months).

Keynote presentation presented at the 2013 SPE Unconventional
Resources Conference, The Woodlands, TX (USA), 10-12 April 2013.

●END of "Linear Flow" (~9-36 months).

●"Linear Flow" → linear trends on these plots (b=2 for log-log plot).
●Gp(t) vs. SQRT(t) is most clear trend.
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 81
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

(Sort of) "Big Data" Analysis — Barnett Shale Example (Data prior to Mar 2013)

Correlation of Gp,1Yr vs. Initial Gas Production Histogram of Gp,1Yr (Barnett Shale horizontal
(Barnett Shale horizontal gas wells). gas wells).

Correlation of Gp,1Yr using Initial Gas Histogram of EUR30Yr (Barnett Shale horizontal
Production and various completion parameters gas wells).
(Barnett Shale horizontal gas wells).

Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 82

Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Schematic for Horizontal Well with Multiple Fractures

Transient Linear Flow Relation:

1
qtot  C k [ Axf,1  Axf, 2  ...  Axf, n ]
t
1
qtot  C k (Axf ) tot
t
Use of Hyperbolic Flow Relation
to Represent Transient Linear Flow:

qi,hyp
q (t ) 
(1  bDi t )1 / b
Assuming b  2
qi,hyp
q (t ) 
(1  2 Di t )1 / 2
As t  large; (1  2 Di t )1 / 2  2 Di t
qi,hyp 1 1
q (t )  a  at 1 / 2
2 Di t t

Discussion:
●The MFHW model is the "master" solution for unconventional wells.
●All flow regimes are modeled, but not often observed.
●Diagnostics can be obscured by clean-up and liquid-loading.
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 83
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Rate Transient Analysis (RTA) Concept Models — Olorode (SPE 152482)

Discussion:
●Reduction from linear flow (half-slope) for CfD,SecFrac < 10.
●Model trends are also observed in field data.
●Secondary fracture concept may be useful in optimizing fracture design.
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 84
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Tri-linear Flow Solution (SPE 125043)

Flow Configuration (Tri-Linear Model) Comparison of Solutions

Original Example (Tri-Linear Model)

Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 85

Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Rate Transient Analysis Concept Models (Fuentes, et al (SPE 163843))

Discussion:
●Linear or exponential permeability distributions away from the fracture.
●Essentially a proxy for the SRV concept.
●Comparisons → variation in performance for permeability distributions.
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 86
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Practical Aspects — Stimulation

"You only produce from what you fracture …"

Anonymous

Individual Fractures from

Individual Perforation Clusters

Complex Fractures from

Individual Perforation Clusters

Discussion:
●SRV (Stimulated Reservoir Volume)
■ Build Complexity → Slickwater
■ Build Conductivity → Hybrid/Gel
●Future Stimulation Challenges:
■ "Rubble-ize" the reservoir?
■ "Pulverize" the reservoir? Project Rulison (1971)
■ Do this with little or no water? Stimulation using Atomic Weapons

Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 87

Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Rate Transient Analysis (RTA) Concept Models — Broussard (TAMU 2013)

Geometry: (radial composite system) k r (r )  k o [r / rs ]n

●Composite, cylinder consists of two regions:
— Inner region is stimulated (k = power-law function).
— Outer region is unstimulated and homogeneous.
●Horizontal well centered in a cylindrical volume.
●Wellbore spans the entire length of the reservoir.
●Radial flow only.
xf = rs = 50 ft, wkf = 10 md-ft xf = rs = 25 ft, wkf = 10 md-ft

Performance of radial composite system very similar

to that for a multi-fracture horizontal well solution.
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 88
Petroleum Engineering 612 — Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs Module — Reservoir Engineering Aspects of Unconventional Resources

Rate Transient Analysis (RTA) Concept Models — Mhiri (TAMU 2014)

Sample random-walk
fracture pattern
cases.

3-D
rendering.

Discussion:
●After a random number steps, the fractures may bifurcate (split).
●-derivative of the mass flowrate is the diagnostic function.
●-derivative is 0.55 (mono-branch) and 0.70 (quad-branch).
Tom BLASINGAME | t-blasingame@tamu.edu | Texas A&M U. Slide — 89