Review Article

A Review of Flow Mechanism and Inversion Methods of Fracture Network in Shale Gas Reservoirs

Table 1

Apparent permeability model for shale gas reservoirs.

ModelsSynopsisPros and cons

Javadpour [1]Consider slippage effect and Knudsen diffusion, based on Maxwell theorySimple, only suitable for straight pipes, ideal gas, without considering adsorption and desorption
Civan [15]Second-order slip model, consider slippage effectHigher-order slip flow, contains empirical parameters
Darabi et al. [16]Based on the hypothesis of slippage effect, Maxwell’s theory is adopted, considering the surface roughness and Knudsen diffusion in porous mediaConsider the tortuosity and surface roughness of porous media, ideal gas, without considering adsorption and desorption
Akkutlu et al. [12]Based on matrix-fracture dual media model, the matrix contains organic and inorganic matter, considering surface diffusion and adsorptionDual media system; complex numerical model
Shabro et al. [24]Construct porous structure based on finite difference numerical model and geometric parametersCharacterization of spatial structure of porous media, complex numerical models, ignoring adsorption
Mehmani et al. [25]Apply Javadpour’s model to pore network modelCharacterization of spatial structure of porous media, complex numerical models, ideal gases, ignoring adsorption
Chen et al. [26]Based on SEM to construct the pore structure, considering Knudsen diffusion and slippage effectsCharacterization of spatial structure of porous media, complex numerical models, ignoring adsorption, and containing empirical parameters
Wu et al. [17]Consider influence of real gas properties and stress on permeability and pore sizeConsider complex structure of pore network and the dynamic change of pore size under stress and desorption shrinkage; fail to consider the complex spatial structure
Zhang et al. [19]Divide flow patterns based on Knudsen number, consider multiple migration mechanismsConsidering multiple transport mechanisms of microscale fluids, failing to consider complex spatial structures
Mi et al. [18]Considering matrix porous media and natural fractures, the series-parallel model is used for coupling permeabilityConsidering microscale gas slippage effect, diffusion effect, and natural fracture flow characteristics, failing to consider complex spatial structure
Sheng et al. [20]Based on molecular collision theory, considering the influence of adsorption layer migration on slip coefficient of free gasAnalytical methods are used to realize the combination of multiple migration mechanisms, complex pore structure features and pore size dynamic changes, fail to consider complex spatial structures