Investigation on the pressure response behavior of two-layer vertical mixed boundary reservoir: field cases in Western Sichuan XC gas field, China

Abstract

Pressure response behavior of two-layered reservoir with a vertical mixed boundary is easy to be mistaken for that of the radial composite reservoir or dual-pore reservoir. It is difficult to fit the pressure response curve and easy to obtain abnormal parameter values using a misunderstood model. In this paper, we present the interpretation of three different types of pressure responses of vertical mixed boundary reservoir by our proposed models, where the diagnostic window and feature value are captured for different mixed boundary types. Results show that the mixed boundary with closed boundary and infinite-acting boundary induces the fake pressure response of a radial composite reservoir with poor permeability outer zone. The mixed boundary with the main constant-pressure and non-main closed boundary produces a fake pressure response of a dual-porosity reservoir. The diagnostic window of pressure response curves shape can easily capture the mixed boundary type, and the feature value of the feature values of pressure response value can quickly obtain the permeability ration of one layer. Aiming at different representative types of pressure response cases in the western Sichuan XC gas field, China, we innovatively analyze them from a different perspective and get a new understanding of pressure response behavior of vertical mixed boundary, which provides a guideline for the interpretation of layered oil and gas reservoir with the complex boundary in the vertical direction.