Journal Article

Transient Multiphase Study on the Influence of Well Trajectory on Horizontal Shale Gas Production

Yang, Jian, Du, Anqi, Wen, Ming

2025

Overview

Horizontal wells play a crucial role in enhancing shale gas reservoir production. This study employs transient multiphase simulation to investigate the impact of well trajectory on production optimization throughout a well’s life cycle. The research uses OLGATM as a simulator to examine six well trajectories: toe-up, toe-down, smooth horizontal, undulated toe-up, undulated toe-down, and undulated horizontal. Initial findings indicate comparable production rates across different trajectories during the early production phase, with toe-up wells showing slightly better performances due to minimal slugging. However, as the reservoir pressure decreases, the well trajectory significantly influences production. Horizontal wells achieve the highest accumulated gas production rates due to minimal liquid holdup and back pressure. Toe-up wells experience early liquid accumulation and severe slugging, leading to increased back pressure and smaller production. The study highlights the positive effects of lateral undulations on toe-up and toe-down wells in terms of liquid unloading, however some emphasis is also put on their adverse influence on horizontal wells.

• Publisher: Tech Science Press
• Subject: Horizontal wells / Liquid hold up / Multiphase / Reservoirs / Shale gas