Semianalytical Production Simulation of Complex Hydraulic-Fracture Networks

Summary The application of horizontal-well drilling and multistage fracturing has become a norm in the industry to develop unconventional resources from ultratight formations. A complex fracture network generated in the presence of stress isotropy and pre-existing natural fractures immensely extends reservoir contact and improves hydrocarbon production. A semianalytical method is presented in this paper to simulate the production from such a complex fracture network. This method combines an analytical reservoir solution with a numerical solution on discretized fracture panels. The mathematics is briefly introduced. Numerous case studies are presented, from a simple planar fracture to a real-field example from the Barnett shale. Production behavior and the key flow regimes are discussed. With its simplicity, yet capturing the physics of the transient-production performance, this approach provides an accessible tool for people from multiple disciplines in unconventional-resource development to rapidly evaluate treated-well productivity and stimulation effectiveness.