In-depth understanding of the gas–water seepage law caused by different degrees of gas layer perforation and varying gas production rates is key to determining a reasonable development technology policy for vertical heterogeneous edge-water gas reservoirs. Based on core physical data from the entire section of the X2 well, a large-scale high-pressure positive-rhythm profile model that takes into account the influence of “discontinuous interlayer” was innovatively established. The water intrusion process of the gas layer profile under different gas production rates and degrees of gas layer perforation was simulated using an electrical resistivity scanning device. The experimental model has an area of 3000 cm², with a maximum pressure of 70 MPa and a maximum temperature resistance of 150 °C. It includes 456 evenly distributed fluid saturation test points to accurately monitor the gas–water distribution, addressing the issues of small bearing pressure and insufficient saturation monitoring points found in other large-scale models. The experimental results show that, in heterogeneous reservoirs, the high-permeability zone controls the invasion path of edge water, which is the main reason for the uneven invasion of edge water. For the positive-rhythm profile of the F layer, a higher gas production rate (1000 mL/min) shortens the water-free gas recovery period of the gas well and reduces the recovery rate. Perforating the upper two-thirds of the layer can inhibit edge-water breakthrough, prolong the water-free gas recovery period of the gas well, enable the gas–water interface to advance more uniformly, and enhance the recovery degree. The results of this study greatly enhance our understanding of the water invasion characteristics of positive-rhythm reservoirs under the influence of different gas production rates and varying degrees of gas layer perforation.

Performance forecasting of multi-fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs) completed in tight/shale oil or gas reservoirs is of great significance in the development of unconventional resources. Dynamic drainage area (DDA) concept has emerged as a production forecasting methodology for unconventional reservoirs. This paper investigated the DDA method and derived correct expressions of distance of investigation (DOI) for both constant production rate and constant bottom-hole pressure cases by integrating material balance and deliverability equation within the range of DOI. The modified DDA method with correct DOI coefficients provided in this paper permits direct calculation of dynamic performance at arbitrary time steps before the end of transient linear flow. At the same time smooth production forecasting of MFHWs from transient linear to boundary-dominated flow is realized without modification by extra coefficient. Hybrid models such as DDA plus dual-exponential and DDA plus hyperbolic are presented, which can be applied quickly and easily to MFHWs in unconventional reservoirs as alternatives to complex numerical simulation. Meanwhile, average pressure in the range of DDA can be readily obtained with correct DOI coefficients, avoiding complex iterative calculations. The reliability and practicability of this solution have been demonstrated by synthetic and field cases in this work.

Deterioration of induced fractures is common in hydraulically fractured tight or shale reservoirs due to the energy dissipation of the fracturing operation. New models that account for stimulated reservoir heterogeneity are needed for the rate transient analysis of unconventional formations. In this study, we present a practical and straightforward solution for heterogeneous fractured reservoirs by introducing the concept of dynamic average permeability (DAP). An explicit equation of average permeability for linear flow in heterogeneous formation is derived by integrating the solution of the linear flow diffusivity equation and exponential permeability profile function into the Darcy flow model. Methodologies for performance forecast and evaluation of the distance of investigation (DOI) for heterogeneous unconventional reservoirs are proposed based on the DAP concept. Early deviation from the straight line of reciprocal-of-production-rate versus square-root-of-time plot occurs in highly heterogeneous reservoirs, in contrast to the departure caused by the boundary-domination effect. Meanwhile, the study results show that the DOI is significantly reduced in severely permeability-deteriorated unconventional formations. The accuracy and applicability of the new solution have been validated through real examples and synthetic numerical simulations. The analytical solution for transient linear flow in heterogeneous formation with an exponential permeability profile in the Laplace domain is also provided for the verification of the DAP method. The method proposed in this work can be readily applied to rate transient analysis and production forecasting of heterogeneous unconventional reservoirs, avoiding the complex Laplace solution and numerical inversion process.

Radius of investigation (ROI) is of great significance in well testing and reserve estimation. The studies on ROI over the past decades were mainly focusing on homogeneous reservoirs. In heterogeneous formations, such as composite reservoirs and fractured reservoirs, the problem remains unsolved. Few ROI evaluation methods for composite reservoirs have been validated and commonly accepted. This paper conducts extensive analytical and numerical analysis on the pressure propagation of composite reservoirs, analyzing the limitations and misunderstandings of previous methods on the evaluation of ROI. The pressure solution of a two-zone composite reservoir is presented in the Laplace domain and is used to analyze the impact of heterogeneity parameters on pressure transient propagation and the evaluation of radius of investigation. A new ROI formula for composite reservoirs is proposed, which is in great agreement with the analytical solution. The study reveals that the inner zone of a composite reservoir cannot be treated as homogeneous when the pressure front approaches the interface of the two zones with high heterogeneity. A large mobility ratio will slow pressure propagation in composite reservoirs, while a low storativity ratio will increase the value of ROI. Reservoir simulation and real case studies are used to demonstrate the findings of the analytical study. The new study sheds insights into the pressure propagation and eases the calculation of ROI in composite reservoirs.