Investigation of temperature behavior for multi-fractured horizontal well in low-permeability gas reservoir

This study aims to interpret the temperature behavior of a cemented multi-fractured horizontal well (MFHW) in a low-permeability gas reservoir (LPGR) during production. First, considering heat conduction, heat convection, thermal expansion, viscous dissipation, and the Joule-Thomson effect, a comprehensive numerical temperature prediction model is developed under a single-phase condition. The developed models are formulated for the reservoir and wellbore domains based on mass, momentum, and energy conservation. The non-Darcy law is applied to the numerical models, and radial flow in the hydraulic fractures is accounted for when the reservoir and wellbore models are coupled. These developed models are solved numerically by the finite difference method. Then, synthetic cases demonstrate the models' ability to predict the temperature behavior and clarify the change regularity of the wellbore temperature profile for an MFHW in an LPGR. The effects of pressure interference among hydraulic fractures on the inflow rate are analyzed. Based on the sensitivity of arriving temperature to the fracture parameters, an approach to plotting fracture parameter diagnosis charts are introduced. In addition, a field case is provided to illustrate the application and feasibility of the new models on the basis of the accurate simulated results of wellbore temperature profiles. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.