Discrete fracture modeling of shale gas flow considering rock deformation

In this work, we implement a discrete fracture model (DFM), in which the reservoir is divided into the matrix and fracture system. The DFMs use flexible Delaunay triangulation to represent individual fractures, hence they could handle complex fracture network. Based on the comprehensive study of the deformation of matrix and fracture, a flow model that considers rock deformation is presented to predict well production and reservoir dynamics. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the influence of rock deformation on a reservoir with complex fracture network. Results under no deformation (ND) condition and integrated deformation (ID) condition show that rock deformation has an obvious impact on the gas production and the pressure distribution. The percentage of production loss increases with reservoir pressure, while decreases as matrix permeability or fracture conductivity increases. Comparisons of production loss caused by the individual deformation depict that the natural fracture deformation (NFD) is dominant, the hydraulic fracture deformation (HFD) is minor, while the matrix deformation (MD) is negligible. Less percentage of production loss caused by the ID is observed than the sum caused by the NFD, the HFD, and the MD.