Fractured Well Responses in Heterogeneous Systems—Application to Devonian Shale and Austin Chalk Reservoirs

Abstract

This paper presents new methods to analyze fractured well responses in heterogeneous reservoirs. We consider wells producing formations that are naturally fractured and use the idealizations proposed by Warren and Root (pseudosteady-state flow in the matrix-system) and by deSwaan-O (unsteady-state flow in the matrix-system) to model the naturally fractured reservoir. Pressure responses are correlated in a manner suitable for direct application of field data. Methods to determine fracture half-length are presented. Two field applications are discussed. The consequences of neglecting the heterogeneous character of the porous medium are also discussed.