Fluid flow and efficient development technologies in unconventional reservoirs: State-of-the-art methods and future perspectives

Abstract

With the global energy consumption on the rise and the gradual decline in conventional oil production, unconventional reservoirs have received considerable attention in the last decade. However, due to the unique physical properties and a large number of micro/nanopores in unconventional reservoirs, fluid flow in these reservoirs is considerably different from conventional ones. Therefore, it is highly important to conduct research on elucidating these fluid flow mechanisms. Furthermore, to avoid problems associated with the rapid production decline and low recovery efficiency in such reservoirs, an enhanced oil recovery technology that can efficiently and economically develop unconventional reservoirs is urgently required. This paper systematically summarizes the current research on flow mechanisms, including capillary imbibition, molecular-scale fluid flow and productivity prediction in unconventional reservoirs, and introduces the enhanced oil recovery and application status of hydraulic fracturing assisted oil displacement technology, along with a brief analysis of their advantages and disadvantages. This study is intended to serve a reference for the efficient development of unconventional reservoirs.

Document Type: Perspective

Cited as: Wang, F., Xu, H., Wang, S., Deng, J., Wang, Y. Fluid flow and efficient development technologies in unconventional reservoirs: State-of-the-art methods and future perspectives. Advances in Geo-Energy Research, 2024, 12(3): 237-240. https://doi.org/10.46690/ager.2024.06.07

References

Cai, J., Li, C., Song, K., et al. The influence of salinity and mineral components on spontaneous imbibition in tight sandstone. Fuel, 2020, 269: 117087.

Jiang, B., Mu, L., Yan, Y., et al. Calculation method of productivity for shale oil in volumetric fractured horizontal wells. ACS Omega, 2022, 7(24): 20495-20504.

Jiang, W., Lv, W., Jia, N., et al. Study on the effects of wettability and pressure in shale matrix nanopore imbibition during shut-in process by molecular dynamics simulations. Molecules, 2024, 29(5): 1112.

Li, J., Zhou, X., Gayubov, A., et al. Study on production performance characteristics of horizontal wells in low permeability and tight oil reservoirs. Energy, 2023, 284: 129286.

Liu, Y., Wang, F., Wang, Y., et al. The mechanism of hydraulic fracturing assisted oil displacement to enhance oil recovery in low and medium permeability reservoirs. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2022, 49(4): 752-759.

Tian, W., Wu, K., Feng, D., et al. Dynamic contact angle effect on water-oil imbibition in tight oil reservoirs. Energy, 2023, 284: 129209.

Wang, F., Chang, S., Molecular dynamics investigation of shale oil occurrence and adsorption in nanopores: Unveiling wettability and influencing factors. Chemical En gineering Journal, 2024, 481: 148380.

Wang, F., Xu, H., Liu, Y., et al. Research on the adsorption law of HFAD agents on the surface of porous media during hydraulic fracturing-assisted oil displacement in low-permeability reservoirs. Langmuir, 2023a, 39(50): 18614-18620.

Wang, F., Xu, H., Liu, Y., et al. Mechanism of low chemical agent adsorption by high pressure for hydraulic fracturing-assisted oil displacement technology: A study of molecular dynamics combined with laboratory experiments. Langmuir, 2023b, 39(46): 16628-16636.

Wang, Z., Niu, H., Ma, Q., et al. Comparative study of the imbibition patterns of two types of surfactants and their residual oil morphology in low-permeability reservoirs. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2023c, 664: 131188.