Simulation studies in unconventional gas reservoirs

Producing gas from unconventional sources is critical for developing secure sources of energy. In unconventional gas reservoirs like in tight gas sands the permeability values are extremely low. In such cases the natural fractures and fracture networks play an important role in enhancing the production rate by increasing permeability. This thesis describes an approach of representing the fracture network and then analyzing the effect of the fracture network on production predictions. The first stage of this process is representing the fracture network as a discrete fracture network. The created discrete fracture network is then introduced into a geomechanical simulator. The geomechanical simulator is used to create a complex hydraulic fracture in the presence of the existing natural fractures. This system of complex fractures is incorporated into a flow simulator for predicting the production rates and to generate pressure signatures. This study includes studying the effect of different fracture orientation, fracture spacing on the production values. There is a possibility that fracture maybe of irregular shape and may not intersect with the well or with other conductive fractures, but may show conductive features due to the geomechanical stress and strains applied on them at reservoir condition. The simulation results for tight gas sands obtained from geomechanical simulation coupled with fluid flow are highlighted and discussed.