Large-Scale Physical Simulation Experiment of Water Invasion Law for Multi-Well Development in Sandstone Gas Reservoirs with Strong Water Drive

In order to clarify the water invasion law and residual gas distribution characteristics in edge and bottom water gas reservoirs with multi-well development, a large-scale three-dimensional physical simulation model was developed and a physical simulation experiment method for the water invasion law of multi-well development in sandstone gas reservoirs with strong water drives was established. Water invasion physical simulation experiments of multi-well development under the conditions of different water body multiples and production systems were conducted. The results show the following: (1) Gas wells near fractures and high-permeability zones experience the earliest water breakthrough. The larger the water body multiple, the faster the rate of water invasion, the earlier the water breakthrough time of gas wells, the more severe the degree of water invasion in gas reservoirs, and the lower the ultimate recovery rate. (2) Shutting in low-position gas wells immediately after water breakthrough reduces the overall water production of the gas reservoir and extends the overall water-free gas production period. However, the ultimate recovery rate is lower than when the wells are not shut in. (3) The residual gas in the fracture model is mainly distributed around the fracture and the edge of the gas reservoir, with the ultimate recovery rate ranging from 38.5% to 58.2%. The residual gas in the fracture–high-permeability zone model is mainly distributed around the fracture–high-permeability zone and the edge of the gas reservoir, with the ultimate recovery rate ranging from 28.32% to 41.8%. The experimental results have important guiding significance for the economical and efficient development of similar gas reservoirs.