Modeling of gas flow in fractured shale

Abstract

In this paper equations and methodologies for the simple modeling of gas flow in fractured shale are developed. Transmissibility following hydraulic fracturing is related to the geo-mechanical properties of the shale. Methods for the application of these models using commercial conventional reservoir models to predict well productivity are developed. This provides a valuable tool in estimating the productivity and economic value of a potential shale gas play where only geological, petrophysical and geo-mechanical and limited or analogue production data is available.