Numerical Modeling of Shale Oil Considering the Influence of Micro- and Nanoscale Pore Structures

A shale reservoir is a complex system with lots of nanoscale pore throat structures and variable permeability. Even though shale reservoirs contain both organic and inorganic matter, the slip effect and phase behavior complicate the two-phase flow mechanism. As a result, understanding how microscale effects occur is critical to effectively developing shale reservoirs. In order to explain the experimental phenomena that are difficult to describe using classical two-phase flow theory, this paper proposes a new simulation method for two-phase shale oil reservoirs that takes into account the microscale effects, including the phase change properties of oil and gas in shale micro- and nanopores, as well as the processes of dissolved gas escape, nucleation, growth and aggregation. The presented numerical simulation framework, aimed at comprehending the dynamics of the two-phase flow within fractured horizontal wells situated in macroscale shale reservoirs, is subjected to validation against real-world field data. This endeavor serves the purpose of enhancing the theoretical foundation for predicting the production capacity of fractured horizontal wells within shale reservoirs. The impact of capillary forces on the fluid dynamics of shale oil within micro- and nanoscale pores is investigated in this study. The investigation reveals that capillary action within these micro- and nanoscale pores of shale formations results in a reduction in the actual bubble point pressure within the oil and gas system. Consequently, the reservoir fluid persists in a liquid monophasic state, implying a constrained mobility and diminished flow efficiency of shale oil within the reservoir. This constrained mobility is further characterized by a limited spatial extent of pressure perturbation and a decelerated pressure decline rate, which are concurrently associated with a relatively elevated oil saturation level.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a new simulation method for two-phase shale oil reservoirs that takes into account the microscale effects and validates it using field data. The study reveals that capillary action restricts the flow of shale oil within micro- and nanoscale pores, resulting in reduced oil saturation and flow efficiency.