Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, China
Offshore low-permeability thin interbedded reservoirs contain significant oil reserves and are crucial for future development. However, due to the high cost and operational challenges associated with offshore fracturing, large-scale fracturing common in onshore fields is uneconomical. Furthermore, o...
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| Format: | Article |
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/285 |
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| author | Guangai Wu Yingwen Ma Yanfeng Cao Anshun Zhang Wei Liu Jinghe Wang Xinyi Yang |
| author_facet | Guangai Wu Yingwen Ma Yanfeng Cao Anshun Zhang Wei Liu Jinghe Wang Xinyi Yang |
| author_sort | Guangai Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Offshore low-permeability thin interbedded reservoirs contain significant oil reserves and are crucial for future development. However, due to the high cost and operational challenges associated with offshore fracturing, large-scale fracturing common in onshore fields is uneconomical. Furthermore, offshore low-permeability reservoirs often have sparse well placement and wide well spacing, in contrast to onshore low-permeability fields, which leads to low recovery. Additionally, there is a lack of comprehensive theory on optimizing the well patterns and fracture networks to maximize net income, highlighting the need for further research. This study tackles these issues in a low-permeability thin interbedded reservoir in the Bozhong Oilfield by using reservoir numerical simulation. First, fracture parameters, including fracture half-length and conductivity, are optimized for different well patterns. Subsequently, well pattern optimization is conducted under fractured conditions, targeting maximum net income under various conditions. The results indicate that when fractures are confined to a single reservoir layer and the main reservoir layer accounts for less than 36% of the development section, fractured directional well patterns yield a higher net income. Conversely, when fractures penetrate all reservoir layers, fractured horizontal wells with closer fracture spacing a higher number of fractures are the most profitable option, particularly in offshore fields with large well spacing. The findings provide critical insights into optimizing well patterns and fracture network designs for offshore low-permeability thin interbedded reservoirs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-478595de92fb469ea16442ada67edbd6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-478595de92fb469ea16442ada67edbd62025-01-24T13:30:54ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118228510.3390/en18020285Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, ChinaGuangai Wu0Yingwen Ma1Yanfeng Cao2Anshun Zhang3Wei Liu4Jinghe Wang5Xinyi Yang6CNOOC China National Offshore Oil Corporation Research Institute, Beijing 100027, ChinaCNOOC China National Offshore Oil Corporation Research Institute, Beijing 100027, ChinaCNOOC China National Offshore Oil Corporation Research Institute, Beijing 100027, ChinaCNOOC China National Offshore Oil Corporation Research Institute, Beijing 100027, ChinaCollege of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaCollege of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaCollege of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, ChinaOffshore low-permeability thin interbedded reservoirs contain significant oil reserves and are crucial for future development. However, due to the high cost and operational challenges associated with offshore fracturing, large-scale fracturing common in onshore fields is uneconomical. Furthermore, offshore low-permeability reservoirs often have sparse well placement and wide well spacing, in contrast to onshore low-permeability fields, which leads to low recovery. Additionally, there is a lack of comprehensive theory on optimizing the well patterns and fracture networks to maximize net income, highlighting the need for further research. This study tackles these issues in a low-permeability thin interbedded reservoir in the Bozhong Oilfield by using reservoir numerical simulation. First, fracture parameters, including fracture half-length and conductivity, are optimized for different well patterns. Subsequently, well pattern optimization is conducted under fractured conditions, targeting maximum net income under various conditions. The results indicate that when fractures are confined to a single reservoir layer and the main reservoir layer accounts for less than 36% of the development section, fractured directional well patterns yield a higher net income. Conversely, when fractures penetrate all reservoir layers, fractured horizontal wells with closer fracture spacing a higher number of fractures are the most profitable option, particularly in offshore fields with large well spacing. The findings provide critical insights into optimizing well patterns and fracture network designs for offshore low-permeability thin interbedded reservoirs.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/285low-permeability reservoirshydraulic fracturingoptimum well patternnumerical simulation |
| spellingShingle | Guangai Wu Yingwen Ma Yanfeng Cao Anshun Zhang Wei Liu Jinghe Wang Xinyi Yang Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, China Energies low-permeability reservoirs hydraulic fracturing optimum well pattern numerical simulation |
| title | Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, China |
| title_full | Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, China |
| title_fullStr | Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, China |
| title_short | Optimization of Well Patterns in Offshore Low-Permeability Thin Interbedded Reservoirs: A Numerical Simulation Study in the Bozhong Oilfield, China |
| title_sort | optimization of well patterns in offshore low permeability thin interbedded reservoirs a numerical simulation study in the bozhong oilfield china |
| topic | low-permeability reservoirs hydraulic fracturing optimum well pattern numerical simulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/285 |
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