Simulation Study of The Effect of Well

Spacing, Permeability Anisotropy, and

Palmer and Mansoori Model on
Coalbed Methane Production
Ismail Zulkarnain
Harold Vance Department
of Petroleum Engineering.
Texas A&M University
25th July, 2005
1

Outline
2

Objectives

US coalbed Methane Resource

CBM and Conventional Natural Gas Reservoirs
Reservoir Characteristics of Coals
Adsorption and Desorption Phenomena
Dual Porosity Model
Simulation Data
Well Spacing Effect
Permeability Anisotropy
Palmer and Mansoori Theory
Conclusions
2

Objectives
3

Study the effect of interference between wells on the

reservoir performance coalbed methane production. It
also is known as well spacing effect on coalbed
methane production.
Study the effect of well configuration on an
anisotropic coal bed methane reservoir.
Study the effects of Palmer and Mansoori Theory
(Matrix Shrinkage Effect and Cleats Compression
Effect) on the reservoir performance of coal bed
methane (CBM).

CBM in the United States

4

From Kentucky Geological Survey

Early CBM wells were drilled to release gas as a safety measure prior to coal
mining operations.

Increase in natural gas prices in he 1970s encouraged intensive research efforts

and federal tax credits catalyzed CBM exploration and development to produce
CBM for profit.

US Coalbed Methane Resource

5
Coalbed methane activity is increasing in the U.S.,
the world leader in reserves and production,
due to recent high gas prices and dwindling
conventional gas supplies
Walter B. Ayers

US Coalbed Methane Resource

5

Proved Reserves
18,743 bcf

US Production (2003)

1600 bcf
8% of US dry gas production

Sandstones and Coal Reservoirs

6

Large Internal Surface Area of Coal

Surface Area of Coals are in the range of; 2,150 3,250 ft2/g (SOURCE: Marsh (3), 1965)
295ft x 147 ft

Surface Area Can

EQUAL
Micro-particle of Coal
A block of Coal

If average surface area of coal is 2700 ft2/g,

16 gram of coal has surface area equal to a football field area.
7

CBM and Conventional Natural Gas

7

Typical Conventional
Natural Gas

CBM

Depth

150 to 3000m

150 to 1500m

Water

Rates may increase during

production

Rates typically decreases

during production life

Normally, 1 well per square mile but

density may be increased

2 to 8 wells per square mile

Stored in macropores
or fractures

Stored as adsorbed gas on

the coal matrix

Well Spacing

Gas Storage

Reservoir Characteristics of Coal

8

Matrix (micro pores)

Fracture/Cleats (macro pores)
Face Cleats (continuous throughout the reservoir)
Butt Cleats (discontinuous, terminated at an intersection)
9

Reservoir Characteristics of Coal

9

10

Coalbed Recovery Mechanism

qg, qw

10

All the flow is in fractures

Fractures are 100% saturated with water
3 Stages in Primary Recovery;
Dewatering: to reduce cleat pressure
Stable Prod. Stage: Methane desorbing from matrix and flowing to the cleat
Decline Stage: Methane and water flow to the well bore

11

Schematic of Coalbed Methane Well

11

GAS

WATER

OVERBURDEN

(Sand, shale, and thinner

coal beds)

CEMENT

COAL

Water

PUMP

PUMP MAY BE SET IN COAL RATHER THAN IN RAT HOLE

12

12

Adsorption and Desorption

(Sorption) in Coal

13

13

Langmuir Theory of Single

Molecule Adsorption

14

Reservoir Mechanism
14

Coalbed Adsorption Phenomenon

15

Reservoir Mechanism
15

16

Adsorption Phenomena
16

Adsorption

Physical adsorption between methane and the coal solid molecules

involves intermolecular forces (Van der Waals forces)

Adsorption is instantaneous
Equilibrium adsorption model
Gas adsorption/desorption is pressure dependent
LANGMUIR ISOTHERM

17

Langmuir Equation
17

Relationship used to represent the sorption mechanism

in coal bed methane reservoir is given as:

V ( p ) VL

p
p pL

(Seidle et al, 1990)

Where;
V(p)

= gas content (scf/ft3)

VL

= Langmuir volume (scf/ft3)

(Saturated monolayer volume)

= gas pressure (psi)

pL

= Langmuir pressure
(Pressure at half of the Langmuir volume)

www.hycal.com (2004 CIPC Session 31)

18

Langmuir Adsorption
18

Matrix may be undersaturated if gas is not available

at initial conditions
Desorption pressure is less than initial pressure
(pd < pi)
Desorption pressure determines the adsorbed gas
content
Desorption pressure is analogous to bubble point
pressure for oil

19

Langmuir Sorption Isotherm

19

Single layer sorption theory Developed in 1916 by Irving Langmuir

Isotherm is used to
Gas Concentration, scf/ton

Theoretical
predict theIsotherm;
release of
Pi=Pd ; pd=pm

gas from the reservoir

as pressure is reduced.

Pd

Undersaturated
Isotherm is based
on
Isotherm;
Pithe
>Pd theory
; pd=pmthat simply
states that the rate of
molecules arriving
and adsorbing on
the solid surface
should equal the rate
of molecules
leaving the surface

Pressure, psi
20

Dual Porosity Model

(Coalbed modeling)

Warren and Root (paper SPE 426)

20

Model Reservoir

Actual Reservoir

Matrix Cell, m
Fracture Cell, f
Matrix Fracture

Matrix

Fracture

Analogous to Warren and Root Model

Modeling two interconnected systems

Coal matrix and Permeable rock fractures

Initial Gas
Storage

Warren & Root

Coal Bed Methane

Free gas in pores

OR Fractures(Cleats)

Adsorbed to coal OR
Free gas in fractures

Pseudo Steady State Model

Matrix / fracture
flow

q C ( pm p f )

Darcys Law

1
C C( p f )

Ficks Law (Diffusion)

21

Diffusive Flow of Gas in CBM Reservoirs

21

Ficks law of diffusion is given as:

dc
q ' DA
dL

Driving force for this mode of transport is a concentration

gradient between the matrix and the cleat.

Diffusion of gas out of the coal matrix can be expressed by a

simple diffusion equation:

C
DFs [C C ( p f )]
t
Average gas
concentration
in the matrix

V ( P) VL

Concentration
in the outer
surface of the coal

Pf
Pf PL

C
1
[C C ( p f )]
t

1
, days
D * Fs

22

Simulation Details
22

Construct a dual porosity simulation model using CMG to

simulate the process of primary production from a single
coal seam.

Model consists of
- 21 * 21 * 1 grid system

Producer

- 1 producing well

23

Simulation Details
23

24

Relative Permeability Curves

24

25

25

Well Spacing Effect

26

80 acre spacing

27

40 acre spacing

28

80 acre spacing

29

30

20 acre spacing

31

80 acre spacing

32

27

Well Spacing Effect

Comparison of an 80 acre
well and a 40 acre well

33

Simulation scenarios
28

B
x = 1320 ft

x = 1866.76 ft

y = 1320 ft
y = 1866.76 ft

80 acre-Isotropic Reservoir

40 acre-Isotropic Reservoir

34

Gas rate (scf/day) per well basis

29

35

Water rate (bbl/day) per well basis

30

36

31

Comparison of 80 acre spacing, 40

acre spacing, 20 acre spacing,
and 5 acre spacing
on an 80 acre reservoir

37

Reservoir model
32

x = 1866.76 ft

y = 1866.76 ft

Isotropic-Square Reservoir System

80 acre

38

Simulation scenarios
33

80 acre reservoir with

80 acre spacing

80 acre reservoir with

40 acre spacing

80 acre reservoir with

20 acre spacing

80 acre reservoir with

5 acre spacing

39

Gas rate (scf/day) per field basis

34

40

Water rate (scf/day) per field basis

35

41

RF Gas (fraction) per field basis

36

42

RF Water (fraction) per field basis

37

43

RF Water (fraction) per field basis

38

44

39

Permeability Anisotropy

45

Problem Statement
40

Coalbed methane is a naturally fractured reservoir.

Coalbed methane reservoir is consisted of the face
cleats (continuous fractures) and the butt cleats
(discontinuous fractures).
The existence of the face cleats and the butt cleats
causes the permeability anisotropy in coalbed methane
reservoirs.

46

Problem Statement
41

Butt Cleats
y
Face Cleats

Anisotropic - Reservoir System

Permeability in x-direction is higher than permeability in y-direction

47

Reservoir model
42

x = 1866.76 ft

y = 1866.76 ft

Anisotropic-Square Reservoir System

(kX=1 md and kY=0.01 md)

48

Effect of well configuration on anisotropic reservoir

43

Scenario A
The reservoir is 80 acre area. The reservoir has 4
wells. Each of the well has the same drainage
area, 20 acre. Each of the well is located in the
center of square reservoir area.

49

Effect of well configuration on anisotropic reservoir

44

Scenario B
The reservoir is 80 acre area. The reservoir has 4
wells. Each of the well has the same drainage
area, 20 acre. Each of the well is located in the
center of rectangular reservoir area. Placement of
wells is aligned to the direction of lower
permeability direction.

50

Effect of well configuration on anisotropic reservoir

45

Scenario C
The reservoir is 80 acre area. The reservoir has 4
wells. Each of the well has the same drainage
area, 20 acre. Each of the well is located in the
center of rectangular reservoir area. Placement of
wells is aligned to the direction of higher
permeability direction.

51

Gas rate (scf/day) per field basis

46

52

Water rate (scf/day) per field basis

47

53

RF Gas (fraction) per field basis

48

54

RF Water (fraction) per field basis

49

55

Tabulated results (Well configuration)

50

56

51

Palmer and Mansoori

Theory

57

Palmer and Mansoori model

52

Palmer and Mansoori theory models low pressure k

rebound in coals:
At higher pressures, k decreases with pressure
due to compaction (cleats compression)
At lower pressures, k increases with pressure
due to matrix shrinkage during gas desorption.

58

Cleats compression
53

Overburden pressure

fracture

coal matrix

(a) Before cleats compression

(b) After cleats compression

59

Matrix shrinkage
54

Width of cleats
after shrinkage

Coal matrix before

after
shrinkage

Fractures/cleats

Width of cleats
before shrinkage

60

Palmer and Mansoori model

55

Cleats Compression

Matrix Shrinkage

61

Palmer and Mansoori model

56

62

Palmer and Mansoori model

57

63

Palmer and Mansoori model

58

It has an implication on the gas production:

64

59

Sensitivity Analysis on Palmer and

Mansoori Model Parameters

65

Sensitivity Cases
60

Youngs Modulus, psia

500,000 psia, 750,000 psia, 1,000,000 psia, 1,500,000 psia, 2,000,000
psia, 3,000,000 psia, 4,000,000 psia, and 5,000,000 psia,

Poissons Ratio, fraction

0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,

Strain Maximum, dimensionless

0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1

66

Youngs modulus
61

67

Youngs modulus
62

68

Youngs modulus, E
62

z
vertical strain, zz
z
zz
E
zz

zz ( psi ), vertical stress

Esteel ?
Erock ?

69

Poisson Ratio,
62

xx

zz

zz ( psi ), vertical stress

cork 0
steel 0.3
rubber 0.5 incompressible
70

Bulk modulus, K
62

z
vertical strain, zz
z
zz
E
zz

xx ( psi ), vertical stress

Esteel ?
Erock ?

71

Youngs modulus, E
62

z
vertical strain, zz
z
zz
E
zz

xx ( psi ), vertical stress

Esteel ?
Erock ?

72

Youngs modulus, E
62

( psi )

V
bulk strain
V

K
V / V

( psi )

1 / K c (compressibility )

( psi )

73

Youngs Modulus
63

74

Poissons Ratio
64

75

Poissons Ratio
65

76

Poissons Ratio
66

77

Strain Maximum
67

78

Strain Maximum
68

79

Strain Maximum
69

80

Conclusions
70

Well Spacing
1. Interference between wells creates beneficial effect on coalbed methane
production. The more interference is created, the higher the production is.
2. Interference between wells accelerates the dewatering stage.
3. The closer well spacing, the higher and earlier peak gas rates. Closer well
spacing results in higher cumulative gas production.

Permeability Anisotropy
1. The existence of face cleats and butt cleats creates permeability anisotropy in
coalbed methane reservoir.
2. Placement of wells should be considered based on the existence of permeability
anisotropy.
3. Wells aligned or placed along the lower permeability direction results the higher
gas production and cumulative gas production.

81

Conclusions
71

Palmer and Mansoori Theory

1. We observe that Palmer and Mansoori model should be considered and
included in the modeling and simulation of coalbed methane performance.
2. The higher the Youngs Modulus is the higher the gas rate and cumulative gas
production is.
3. The higher the Poissons Ratio is the lower the gas rate and cumulative gas
production is.
4. The higher the strain maximum is the higher the gas rate and cumulative gas
production is.

82

Nusantara Archipelago, Indonesia-Southeast

Asia

Thank You

83

Simulation Study of The Effect of Well

Spacing, Permeability Anisotropy, and
Palmer and Mansoori Model on
Coalbed Methane Production
Ismail Zulkarnain
Harold Vance Department
of Petroleum Engineering.
Texas A&M University
25th July, 2005
84

Diffusive Flow of Gas

CMG shows that mass transfer rate from matrix cell m bounded by a
set of fracture associated with a fracture cell f can be expressed as :
C gm ( P ) VL

RateBlock Vol * Shape * Diffus (k ) * S g

Shape

* (C (k , gas, m) C (k , gas, f ))

COAL DIF TIME

Where;
Vol

A mod

Pg
Pg PL

1
, days
Shape * Diffus ( k )

= Bulk Volume
= Shape factor (matrix-fracture interface area per unit volume)

Shape 4 * 1 / FracSpacing ) 2

Diffus(k)= Diffusion value (COAL-DIF-COMP)

SgA-mod = gas saturation in the matrix (default = 1)
C(k,gas,m) = Concentration of component k in gas phase of matrix cell m
C(k,gas,f) = Concentration of component k in gas phase of fracture cell f

85

RF Gas (fraction) per well basis

86

RF Water (fraction) per well basis

87

Tabulated Result

88

Youngs modulus

89

Youngs modulus

90

Poissons ratio

91

Poissons ratio

92

Strain maximum

93

Strain maximum

94

Reservoir Model

30 ft

1866.76 ft

1866.76 ft

95

Transformation (Wattenbarger and

Arrevallo)
Simulation:
x = 590.32 ft

x = 1866.76 ft

y = 5903.2 ft

y = 1866.76 ft

Anisotropic-Square Reservoir
System

(kX=1 md and kY=0.01 md)

Isotropic-Rectangular
Reservoir System

(k = 0.1)

96

97

98

Dual Porosity (Warren and Root)

(a)

(b)

99

Diffusion and Flow of Methane

(a)

(b)

(c)

100

x-direction/high permeability

y-direction/low permeability

Scenario A

101

x-direction/high permeability

y-direction/low permeability

Scenario B

102

x-direction/high permeability

y-direction/low permeability

Scenario C

103