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A Chart-Based Diagnostic Model for Tight Gas Reservoirs Based on Shut-in Pressure during Hydraulic Fracturing
1 Petroleum Engineering School, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China
2 Sinopec Northwest Oilfield Branch, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, 841600, China
3 Southwest Oil and Gas Field Company, Huayou Company, Chengdu, 610017, China
* Corresponding Author: Mingqiang Wei. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Fluid and Thermal Dynamics in the Development of Unconventional Resources II)
Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(2), 309-324. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2024.058454
Received 12 September 2024; Accepted 22 November 2024; Issue published 06 March 2025
Abstract
A precise diagnosis of the complex post-fracturing characteristics and parameter variations in tight gas reservoirs is essential for optimizing fracturing technology, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and assessing post-fracturing production capacity. Tight gas reservoirs face challenges due to the interaction between natural fractures and induced fractures. To address these issues, a theoretical model for diagnosing fractures under varying leak-off mechanisms has been developed, incorporating the closure behavior of natural fractures. This model, grounded in material balance theory, also accounts for shut-in pressure. The study derived and plotted typical G-function charts, which capture fracture behavior during closure. By superimposing the G-function in the closure phase of natural fractures with pressure derivative curves, the study explored how fracture parameters—including leak-off coefficient, fracture area, closure pressure, and closure time—impact these diagnostic charts. Findings show that variations in natural fracture flexibility, fracture area, and controlling factors influence the superimposed G-function pressure derivative curve, resulting in distinctive “concave” or “convex” patterns. Field data from Well Y in a specific tight gas reservoir were used to validate the model, confirming both its reliability and practicality.Graphic Abstract

Keywords
There are abundant tight gas resources with reservoirs characterized by low porosity, low permeability, and poor connectivity. Horizontal wells and hydraulic fracturing are essential technical means for the efficient development of these tight gas resources [1–3]. Post-fracture fracture diagnosis and evaluation are the main methods for assessing fracturing effects and are important bases for optimizing fracturing designs and processes. Currently, fracture monitoring and diagnosis technologies mainly include acoustic logging, seismic and microseismic monitoring, resistivity logging, and nuclear magnetic resonance [4–6]. These technologies play important roles in fracture monitoring and diagnosis, but they also have drawbacks such as complex data interpretation, limited resolution, high costs, and depth restrictions [7–10]. Compared to other fracture monitoring and diagnosis technologies, the analysis of shut-in pump pressure curves based on hydraulic fracturing construction has broad application prospects owing to advantages such as monitoring data being unaffected by construction and the capability to obtain multiple parameters [11,12].
Currently, the theoretical basis for shut-in pump pressure fracture diagnosis in hydraulic fracturing relies mainly on the dimensionless G-function model over time established by Nolte [13] based on the Carter leak-off equation. However, in this model, symmetric bilaterally fractured fractures are assumed and parameters related to natural fracture closure pressure drops are treated as constants, limiting its applicability in evaluating complex artificial fracture networks [14–16]. In response to the post-fracture diagnosis of complex fracture networks, extensive research has been conducted and many interpretations have been proposed for shut-in pump pressure fracture diagnosis [17,18]. Barree et al. [19] improved the G-function diagnostic method based on the Nolte model to identify more complex nonidealized fracture features, proposing pressure analysis using the G-function, square root of time, and double logarithmic plots for micro-injection pressure loss tests. Castillo [20] proposed a new G-function chart based on the G-function to judge fracture closure and suggested changes in the leak-off coefficient related to pressure during the fracture closure process. Liu et al. [21] provided corresponding analytical and semi-analytical solutions for behaviors such as tip extension, pressure loss, and multiple closures before closure in micro-injection pressure loss tests. Liu et al. [22] used the slope of a composite G-function chart to determine closure points and calculate fracture parameters, while Mohamed et al. [23] and Mohamed et al. [24] divided the flow stage using double logarithmic methods, plotted double logarithmic charts using shut-in time and pressure data, divided them into three stages, and effectively identified fracture closure points by combining double logarithmic charts with G-function charts. However, current interpretation methods mainly entail analysis of shut-in pump pressure data from small-scale micro-injection pressure loss tests, with limited research being conducted on shut-in pump pressure fracture diagnosis for large-scale hydraulic fracturing communicating with complex fracture networks in tight reservoirs.
To address the issue of decreasing fracture flexibility and area with natural fracture closure caused by hydraulic fracturing communicating with natural fractures in tight gas reservoirs, a theoretical model for shut-in pump pressure fracture diagnosis was established, with the geometric morphology of communicating natural fractures and the variation of leak-off volume with time under various leak-off mechanisms taken into account. Modern mathematical physics methods and Python programming were applied to solve the theoretical model, and G-function charts were drawn. By overlaying the G-function during the natural fracture closure period with pressure derivative curves, the influence of fracture parameters such as leak-off coefficient, area, closure pressure, and time on chart characteristics was discussed. This led to the development of a new model and analysis method for accurately diagnosing fracture step or constant-rate closure during pressure attenuation after hydraulic fracturing, which is critical for improving post-fracturing production capacity evaluation in tight gas reservoirs. Example analysis was conducted using on-site fracturing pressure monitoring data to verify the applicability and reliability of this method in post-fracture diagnosis of complex fracture networks in tight gas reservoirs.
2 Analysis of Shut-in Pump Pressure Theoretical Model
Nolte and co-workers Nolte [25] and Nolte et al. [26] proposed the classic G-function model for post-fracturing evaluation of symmetric bilaterally fractured fractures based on the material balance equation of fracturing fluid injection; this can be used to determine the closure time and closure pressure of fractures. The model assumptions are as follows: (1) The fracturing fluid is incompressible, so the volume of fracturing fluid pumped in equals the volume lost to the formation and the volume involved in fracturing. (2) The leak-off coefficient of the fracturing fluid is constant and unaffected by pressure changes, as described by the Carter leak-off modele. (3) The fracture area remains constant after well shut-in. (4) The fracture flexibility is constant and linearly related to fracture width and pressure. (5) The fracture height and closure pressure remain constant after well shut-in.
The relationship between net fracture pressure and fracture flexibility, as well as the relationship among net fracture pressure, fracture closure pressure, and fluid pressure within the fracture, can be described as follows:
where
The average width of the fracture can be expressed as
Nolte [13] established the material balance equation for an incompressible fracturing fluid:
The Carter [27] leak-off equation quantifies the leak-off rate on one side of the fracture as
where
If negligible fluid losses are assumed, the rate of crack area growth is proportional to time with the formula
The total filtrate volume of the crack minus the filtrate volume during the pumping process equals the filtrate volume of the crack during shut-in periods:
Substituting into Eq. (5) yields the differential relationship between crack pressure and crack filtrate volume after shut-in:
Both
The relevant expression for the G-function has been derived as
in which
where
Because the fracture filtration coefficient and fracture flexibility are considered unchanged in the model,
3 Establishment of Pressure Fracture Diagnosis Model for Volume Fracturing Pump Shutdown
Fig. 1 shows that the basic theoretical model of pump shutdown pressure is the G-function diagram of a simple symmetrical double-wing fracture. The mass balance equation of a common G-function model considers only the fracture volume
Figure 1: Common types of G-function charts
Figure 2: Physical model of natural fractures
The following assumptions were made in the model:
1. The fracturing fluid is incompressible, and the material balance states that the volume of fracturing fluid pumped equals the volume lost to the formation and the volume participating in fracture propagation.
2. Cater filtration is followed.
3. Prior to natural fracture closure, natural and hydraulic fractures jointly lose fluid to the reservoir. Fracture compliance
4. Fracture extension and friction are not considered during pumping and well shut-in processes.
The material balance equation states that the fluid volume during pumping equals the lost volume to the formation through the fractures and the fracture volume:
where
Filtration follows Cater filtration, thus utilizing the formula for filtrate volume during shut-in periods. By considering the filtrate volumes of the hydraulic fractures and natural fractures separately through Eqs. (7) and (8), the total filtrate volume in the natural fractures and the total filtrate volume in the hydraulic fractures during the closure period can be determined:
Combining the relationship between fracture net pressure and fracture compliance yields the volumes of natural fractures and hydraulic fractures:
where
We then substitute the filtrate volumes and fracture volumes of natural fractures and hydraulic fractures into the material balance equation to get
By differentiating this equation with respect to
Integrating this equation yields the expression for pressure drop before the closure of natural fractures:
As the pressure decreases and natural fractures completely close, only hydraulic fractures leak into the reservoir matrix. In Eq. (17), the material balance becomes
Similarly, the expression for the overall pressure drop before the closure of hydraulic fractures can be obtained:
The expression for the pressure drop after the closure of natural fractures but before the closure of hydraulic fractures needs to consider the influence of the natural fracture closure period, which can be obtained from Eq. (23):
By combining Eqs. (23) and (24), the expression for the pressure drop of hydraulic fractures after the closure of natural fractures can be obtained, namely, the expression for the shut-in pressure of the fractures during volumetric fracturing:
The following solving steps can be used to calculate the other parameters in Table 1, apart from the initial conditions:
1. Select initial conditions
2. Substitute the initial condition values into Eq. (25); iteratively, solve for
3. Calculate the values of
4. Plot the G-function curve.
4 Characteristics and Analysis of the G-Function Plot in Volumetric Fracturing
4.1 Plotting and Features of the Graph
Fig. 3 illustrates the theoretical process of plotting the G-function model. Because the pressure drop equations before and after the closure of natural fractures differ, the closure pressure of natural fractures is initially used for differentiation. The pressure during the closure period of natural fractures is calculated using Eq. (21). When
Figure 3: Program flowchart for calculating pump shutdown pressure considering natural fractures
Based on the pressure drop basic data in Table 1, the G-function plots for varying fracture compliance and fracture area can be drawn through hydraulic fracture pressure drop calculations, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
Figure 4: G-function chart of fracture flexibility with pressure variation
Figure 5: G-function chart of fracture area with pressure variation
During the natural fracture closure period and the process of fracture leak-off, the natural fractures do not participate in the leak-off. Additionally, there is some fluid at the contact surface of the natural fractures that does not leak into the reservoir. This results in a slower overall leak-off of the fractures and a smaller decrease in pressure. As a result, the G-function
As hydraulic fractures and natural fractures leak off into the reservoir together, the overall leak-off of the fractures accelerates. This leads to a faster overall leak-off of the fractures and a greater decrease in pressure. Consequently, the G-function
4.2 Parameter Sensitivity Analysis
A sensitivity analysis can be performed on the parameters
First, we consider fracture compliance
Figure 6: Analysis charts of variable fracture flexibility: (a) fracture compliance G-function chart; (b) fracture area G-function chart
Next we consider fracture area
Figure 7: Analysis chart of variable fracture area: (a) fracture compliance G-function chart; (b) fracture area G-function chart
Finally, we consider control factor
Figure 8: Analysis chart of variable control factors: (a) fracture compliance G-function chart; (b) fracture area G-function chart
Through the sensitivity analysis of
5 Application Example and Analysis
Well Y is located in a tight gas reservoir area; the main lithology of the reservoir characterized by black and gray-black shales. The well was drilled to a total depth of 6870.0 m, with a vertical depth of 4345.43 m. The completion interval is in the Longmaxi Formation, with 139.7 mm casing used for completion and a horizontal section length of 2300.00 m.
Seismic multilevel fault data indicate the presence of natural fractures, with two sets of natural fracture zones developed along the well trajectory in intervals of 5860–6760 m (sections 2–14) and 5070–5160 m (sections 26–28), totaling 1016 m, as shown in Fig. 9.
Figure 9: Characteristics of natural fractures
Based on the construction curve analysis (Fig. 10), the natural fracture zones in the 10th section are found to be widely distributed and complex, meeting the parameter requirements of the research model. Therefore, the 10th section in the interval of 5860–6760 m was selected for analysis, with a pumping time of 175.74 min and a shut-in pressure of 66.08 MPa.
Figure 10: Pressure curve for the 10th hydraulic fracturing operation
The input pumping parameters in the pressure drop calculation program are listed in Table 2.
Based on the actual G-function curve’s camelback feature, indicating the presence of single-level natural fractures, a shut-in pressure analysis model for single-level natural fractures related to pressure was selected. The final result obtained is the fitting of the G-function curve, as shown in Fig. 11.
Figure 11: G-function fitting chart for the 10th segment of Well Y
A single-level natural fracture was fitted, with closure pressures selected at 62.50 MPa. The hydraulic fracture closure pressure was determined to be 62.14 MPa, with a natural fracture leak-off coefficient of 0.00241 m/min0.5, reflecting a moderate rate of fluid loss through the communicating natural fractures per unit time. The average fracture compliance of each natural fracture level was calculated to be 0.00015 m/MPa, indicating a low degree of deformation under pressure for the communicating natural fractures. The total natural fracture area was determined to be 5650 m2, illustrating the presence of multiple communicating natural fractures during the pumping process, as listed in Table 3. The theoretical G-function of the modified section of section 10 of Well Y, calculated using the pressure drop model in this study, exhibited a good overall fit with the actual curve, validating the reliability and practicality of the model, as depicted in Fig. 11.
As shown in Fig. 12, the Kelly Petroleum ant body fracture prediction interpretation indicates that fractures develop in well sections at depths of 4740–4868, 5026–5079, 5502–5534, 5959–6001, and 6418–6478 m. The ant body fracture prediction interpretation is similar to the interpretation results of Well Y in this study, with natural fractures developing in the 10th section.
Figure 12: Schematic diagram of ant body fracture prediction interpretation
Based on the interpretation results of Well Y and the reliability analysis, it can be concluded that the model for diagnosing complex fracture networks post-fracturing in this study is accurate and practical. This also suggests that, in the absence of geological mechanics data to interpret the degree of natural fracture development and fracture parameters, analysis can be conducted using the complex fracture network closure period fracture diagnostic method.
(1) A theoretical model for diagnosing fractures in volume fracturing shut-in pressures in tight gas reservoirs was established. G-function charts and natural fracture closure period G-function
(2) By accurately identifying and obtaining parameters such as shut-in fracture pressure, natural fracture closure pressure, fracture compliance, and fracture area through the natural fracture closure period G-function
(3) In the example analysis, the instantaneous shut-in pressure fitted by the G-function chart showed a strong correlation with actual data, validating the reliability and applicability of the model. The fitting results of the example and the test data matched with an accuracy rate of >90% through the shut-in pressure fracture diagnostic model calculations, reflecting characteristics such as moderate fluid loss through communicating natural fractures per unit time, low deformation of fractures under pressure, and the presence of multiple communicating natural fractures during the pumping process in Well Y of a certain tight gas reservoir.
Acknowledgement: The authors would like to thank the reviewers and editors for their useful suggestions for improving the quality of our manuscript.
Funding Statement: The authors received no specific funding for this study.
Author Contributions: The authors confirm contribution to the paper as follows: Study conception and design: Mingqiang Wei and Neng Yang; data collection: Han Zou and Yonggang Duan; analysis and interpretation of results: Ahao Li, Han Zou and Mingqiang Wei; draft manuscript preparation: Neng Yang and Mingqiang Wei. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Availability of Data and Materials: Data will be made available on request.
Ethics Approval: Not applicable.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest to report regarding the present study.
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