A fast and reliable semi-analytical method for assessing energy replenishment from fracturing-flooding in low-permeability and tight oil reservoirs

Abstract

The development of low-permeability and tight oil reservoirs is challenged by insufficient natural energy and rapid production decline. Fracturing-flooding is a technique that relies on high-pressure and large-volume fluid injection to replenish reservoir energy, making it a significant method for rapidly boosting formation energy. To evaluate the energy replenishment effect of fracturing-flooding technology in low-permeability and tight reservoirs, this study proposes a semi-analytical method for quick calculation. This approach employs dimensionless simplification, Pedrosa's substitution, Laplace transformation, and Stehfest inversion methods to derive pressure solutions for both the stimulation region and the external matrix region, each with varying flow capacities. The average formation pressure (AFP) of the reservoir is determined using the area-weighted average method, and numerical verification is performed using a commercial simulator. A case study from the Binnan area, along with a sensitivity analysis, demonstrates that after 30 days of fracturing-flooding, the AFP of the reservoir increases to 46.97 MPa, the corresponding reservoir pressure coefficient rises from 1.2 to 1.68, and reservoir energy increases by 40%. The factors influencing energy replenishment are ranked as follows: reservoir thickness, injection rate, stress sensitivity coefficient, matrix permeability, stimulation region radius, and mobility ratio. This study provides theoretical guidance for optimizing fracturing-flooding development schemes in low-permeability and tight oil reservoirs and offers valuable reference for the industry.